How to Cook Tortellini

Tortellini is a classic and versatile Italian noodle that tastes great in a variety of dishes. You can purchase tortellini fresh, refrigerated, or frozen, with many different fillings, including meat, vegetables, and cheeses. Whether you want to boil the tortellini or bake it in the oven, it’s relatively simple and quick to prepare.

Ingredients

Boiling Tortellini

  • 0.5 gallons (1.9 L) of water
  • 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 mL) of salt
  • Tortellini (fresh, refrigerated, or frozen)

Cheesy Baked Tortellini

  • 1 24  fl oz (710 mL) jar of tomato sauce
  • 2 cups (470 mL) of mozzarella cheese, divided in half
  • 1⁄2 cup (120 mL) of parmesan cheese, divided in half
  • 20 oz (567 g) of uncooked tortellini (fresh or refrigerated)
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Boiling Tortellini

  1. Image titled Cook Tortellini Step 1
    1
    Fill a large pot with water. Add 0.5 gallons (1.9 L) of water to a large pot with handles. Select a pot that is large enough to hold all of the water with at least 2 inches (5.1 cm) of head space at the top of the pot.[1]
    • If you don’t have a pot that is large enough, use the biggest pot that you have and only cook half of the tortellini at one time.
  2. 2
    Bring the water to a rapid boil over high heat. Place the pot in the center of a large burner on the stove. Turn the heat on the highest possible setting to boil the water, and wait until it is bubbling rapidly, which should take 10-12 minutes.[2]
    • Be patient while the water boils. With a very large volume of water, it can take some time for the water to heat completely.
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  3. Image titled Cook Tortellini Step 3
    3
    Add 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 mL) of salt to the water. Use a measuring spoon to pour the salt into the water. This will help the pasta cook quickly and evenly, and the cooked pasta will float to the top of the water when it’s ready to be served.[3]
    • If you can’t eat salt, you can skip adding the salt and let the pasta cook for 1-2 extra minutes.
  4. 4
    Use a slotted spoon to lower the tortellini into the water. To ensure that the tortellini don’t stick together or break open, lower them gently into the boiling water. They should sit in the water just below the surface.[4]
    • If you don’t have a slotted spoon, you can use a large wooden spoon or a spatula. Just be careful not to spill any of the tortellini!
  5. 5
    Cook the tortellini for 5 minutes or until they’re floating. Stir the tortellini as they cook to keep them from sticking together. After 5 minutes, they should be floating at the top of the water. Scoop one out of the water and wait for it to cool, and then taste it to ensure that it’s done.[5]
    • If it isn’t done, cook the tortellini for an additional 1-2 minutes.
  6. Image titled Cook Tortellini Step 6
    6
    Scoop the tortellini out of the water with the slotted spoon to serve. When the tortellini are cooked, turn off the burner and lower a slotted spoon into the water to scoop out the noodles. Transfer them to a separate bowl, and then pour the used water down the drain.[6]
  7. Image titled Cook Tortellini Step 7
    7
    Serve the tortellini with a broth or sauce. Add your tortellini to soups, mix them with sauces, or even serve them as a side dish. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your recipes and try something new![7]
    • If you have extra tortellini, place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Making Cheesy Baked Tortellini

  1. Image titled Cook Tortellini Step 8
    1
    Preheat the oven to 350 °F (177 °C). Ensure that there’s nothing in the oven, and turn the heat on. While the oven heats, you can measure out your ingredients and begin to prepare the dish.[8]
    • Be patient while the oven heats up. Depending on what kind of oven you have, it may take some time to reach the right temperature. Most ovens will make a noise when they’ve reached the correct temperature.
  2. Image titled Cook Tortellini Step 9
    2
    Spread 1/3 of the sauce on the bottom of a greased baking dish. Spray a 9 by 13 inches (23 by 33 cm) oven-safe baking dish with cooking spray. Then, spread 8 fluid ounces (240 mL) of sauce over the bottom of the dish to create a base for the pasta so that it doesn’t stick to the bottom.[9]
    • Be careful not to use too much sauce on the bottom of the dish. This can leave you with too little sauce throughout the rest of the dish, making the tortellini dry.
  3. 3
    Add half of the tortellini to the dish and cover it with an even layer of sauce. Arrange uncooked fresh or refrigerated tortellini in an even layer over the sauce on the bottom of the dish. Then, pour 8 fluid ounces (240 mL) of sauce evenly over the tortellini.[10]
    • Be sure to only use uncooked tortellini. Using cooked tortellini can cause the noodles to become overcooked and the filling will spill out.
    • If you end up with some areas that have more sauce, use a spoon to spread the sauce out over the tortellini.
  4. 4
    Cover the tortellini with half of the mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Add an even layer of 1 cup (240 mL) of mozzarella and 1⁄4 cup (59 mL) of parmesan on top of the sauce. Make sure the cheese is evenly distributed across the sauce and tortellini.[11]
    • Be careful not to use all of the cheese in the center of the dish, as this will leave you with none for the top of the dish.
  5. Image titled Cook Tortellini Step 12
    5
    Layer the rest of the tortellini and sauce on top of the cheese. Arrange the rest of the tortellini in an even layer, and pour 8 fluid ounces (240 mL) of sauce over the tortellini. Use a spoon to spread it evenly across the dish.[12]
    • If you have extra tortellini that won’t fit in an even layer, set them aside to use in a different dish or store them in the refrigerator to eat later.
  6. 6
    Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese over the dish. Layer the additional 1 cup (240 mL) of mozzarella and 1⁄4 cup (59 mL) of parmesan on top of the sauce. Make sure they’re spread evenly across the dish to create a cheesy top crust.[13]
    • There should be an even distribution of mozzarella and parmesan across the top of the dish. If you need to, use your hands or a clean spoon to spread the cheese over the sauce.
  7. Image titled Cook Tortellini Step 14
    7
    Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake it for 30 minutes. Put a piece of aluminum foil over the top of the dish to keep the cheese from burning. Then, place it on the center rack of the oven to cook for a half hour.[14]
    • If your tortellini has a meat filling, consider adding an additional 2-3 minutes to ensure that the meat is heated thoroughly.
  8. Image titled Cook Tortellini Step 15
    8
    Remove the foil and bake the dish for 10 additional minutes. To make the cheese bubbly, carefully pull the foil off of the dish. Leave it in the oven on the same temperature for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese starts to bubble around the edges.[15]
    • If you like crispier cheese, leave the uncovered dish in the oven for 12-13 minutes.
  9. Image titled Cook Tortellini Step 16
    9
    Scoop the tortellini out of the dish to serve. Let the dish cool for 5 minutes, and then use a spoon or spatula to remove a portion from the dish. You can sprinkle additional cheese across the tortellini to make it even cheesier![16]
    • If you have leftover tortellini, scoop it into an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for 1 week to enjoy the left overs.
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Warnings

  • If you overcook tortellini, the pasta will unfold, causing the fillings to spill out. Be sure to remove the noodles from the water as soon as they’re done.
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Things You’ll Need

Boiling Tortellini

  • Tortellini (fresh, refrigerated, or frozen)
  • Water
  • Salt
  • Large pot
  • Slotted spoon

Cheesy Baked Tortellini

  • Uncooked tortellini (fresh or refrigerated)
  • Tomato sauce
  • Mozzarella cheese
  • Parmesan cheese
  • 9 by 13 inches (23 by 33 cm) baking dish
  • Cooking spray
  • Spoon or spatula
  • Aluminum foil

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/tortellini-recipe-2011857
  2. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/tortellini-recipe-2011857
  3. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-homemade-tortellini-from-scratch-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-188288
  4. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-homemade-tortellini-from-scratch-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-188288
  5. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-homemade-tortellini-from-scratch-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-188288
  6. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-homemade-tortellini-from-scratch-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-188288
  7. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-homemade-tortellini-from-scratch-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-188288
  8. ↑ https://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/easy-cheesy-baked-tortellini/
  9. ↑ http://www.chewoutloud.com/2013/11/18/cheesy-baked-tortellini-casserole/
  1. ↑ https://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/easy-cheesy-baked-tortellini/
  2. ↑ https://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/easy-cheesy-baked-tortellini/
  3. ↑ https://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/easy-cheesy-baked-tortellini/
  4. ↑ https://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/easy-cheesy-baked-tortellini/
  5. ↑ https://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/easy-cheesy-baked-tortellini/
  6. ↑ https://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/easy-cheesy-baked-tortellini/
  7. ↑ https://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/easy-cheesy-baked-tortellini/

About This Article

wikiHow Staff
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 85,460 times.
6 votes - 40%
Co-authors: 6
Updated: June 22, 2022
Views: 85,460
Categories: Pasta and Noodles
Article SummaryX

To make classic boiled tortellini, fill a large pot with about half a gallon (1.9 L) of water. Bring the water to a boil over high heat, which should take about 10-12 minutes. Once the water is boiling, add 1-2 tablespoons (17-35 g) of salt to the pot. Using a slotted spoon, gently lower the tortellini into the water. Let them cook for 5 minutes, or until the tortellini pieces begin to float to the top of the water. As they cook, gently stir them to keep them from sticking together. When they’re done, scoop them out of the water with a slotted spoon and transfer them to a separate bowl. Serve your tortellini with sauce or mix them into a soup or salad. To make cheesy baked tortellini, preheat your oven to 350° F (177° C) and pour about 8 ounces (240 mL) of tomato sauce into a greased baking dish. Spread 10 oz (283 g) of uncooked tortellini on top of the sauce, then spread another 8 ounces (240 mL) of sauce evenly on top of that. Sprinkle 1 cup (240 mL) of shredded mozzarella and 1⁄4 cup (59 mL) of parmesan cheese on top, making sure to distribute evenly. Then, layer on another 10 oz (283 g) of tortellini and top that with a final layer of tomato sauce. Sprinkle one more layer of mozzarella and parmesan onto the top and cover the dish with aluminum foil, then bake it for 30 minutes. To get the cheese lightly browned and bubbly, take off the foil and let the dish cook for 10 more minutes. Let your baked tortellini cool for 5 minutes before you serve it.

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