Description
This cheese tortellini pepperoni pizza casserole delivers maximum comfort right to your dinner table. Cheesy pasta and zesty pepperoni combine in a quick baked dish that makes weeknight meals totally delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 16 ounces cheese-stuffed tortellini
- 8 ounces Velveeta cheese
- 2 cups shredded cheese blend
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 ounces pepperoni
Pepperoni Topping:
- Sliced pepperoni
Sauce and Seasonings:
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves
- ½ teaspoon dry Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Boil 16 ounces of cheese tortellini for exactly 7-8 minutes according to package directions. Drain thoroughly and set aside in your largest mixing bowl.
- Warm 1 tablespoon olive oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add 2 chopped garlic cloves and sauté for 45-60 seconds until they release their aromatic essence.
- Pour 2 cups whole milk into the skillet. Sprinkle ½ teaspoon dry Italian seasoning and whisk gently. Add 8 ounces cubed Velveeta cheese, stirring constantly until the mixture becomes completely smooth.
- Incorporate 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese blend into the creamy sauce. Whisk until every cheese particle melts seamlessly.
- Fold 2 ounces quartered pepperoni and ½ cup pizza sauce into your tortellini. Ensure each pasta pocket gets evenly coated with the rich, cheesy mixture.
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Transfer the tortellini mixture into the prepared dish, spreading it evenly across the surface.
- Scatter 1 cup shredded mozzarella and remaining sliced pepperoni across the top for a classic pizza-style presentation.
- Heat your oven to 375°F. Bake the casserole for precisely 18-20 minutes until the cheese turns golden and edges become deliciously crispy.
- Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps the sauce set and prevents burning your mouth.
Notes
- Use fresh tortellini for the best flavor and texture, as frozen or dried versions can affect the overall dish quality.
- Adjust the amount of pizza sauce to control the moisture level, preventing the casserole from becoming too wet or dry.
- Experiment with different cheese blends like provolone or fontina to add depth to the cheese sauce and customize the flavor profile.
- For a lighter version, substitute whole milk with low-fat milk and use reduced-fat cheese options without sacrificing taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 615 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 920 mg
- Fat: 39 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg