Description
Comfort meets luxury in this cheesy alfredo tortellini bake with crispy bacon crumble that promises rich Italian-inspired flavors. Pasta lovers will delight in this creamy, indulgent dish blending classic ingredients with irresistible texture.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340 g) cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
- 2 cups (480 mL) Alfredo sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 cup (100 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup (50 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- ¼ cup (25 g) breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Tortellini Preparation: Submerge tortellini in vigorously salted water, cooking until they buoyantly float and reach perfect al dente consistency. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Oven Preheation: Calibrate oven to 375F (190C), lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil spray to prevent sticking.
- Sauce Creation: Whisk Alfredo sauce with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese, salt, and cracked pepper, forming a harmonious, flavor-packed blend.
- Tortellini Coating: Thoroughly envelop cooked tortellini in the creamy sauce, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Assembly and Cheese Layer: Distribute sauced tortellini evenly in the prepared baking dish, then lavishly blanket with mozzarella cheese to create a molten surface.
- Crispy Topping Composition: Transform bacon into delicate fragments and blend with golden breadcrumbs, creating a crunchy, textural crown.
- Baking Process: Sprinkle bacon-breadcrumb mixture over the cheese layer, then bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese bubbles and turns golden brown.
- Finishing Touches: Remove from oven, allow brief resting period, and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately with a complementary green salad or warm garlic bread.
Notes
- Perfect Pasta Texture: Boil tortellini just until they float, avoiding overcooking to maintain a tender, delicate bite that preserves the pasta’s delightful filling.
- Sauce Coating Technique: Gently fold tortellini into Alfredo sauce, ensuring complete coverage without breaking the delicate pasta pockets for maximum flavor absorption.
- Cheese Melting Mastery: Sprinkle mozzarella evenly, allowing it to create a golden, bubbling surface that provides a rich, creamy texture with perfectly melted consistency.
- Crispy Topping Secrets: Toast bacon and breadcrumbs separately before combining to enhance crunchiness and prevent soggy toppings, delivering a satisfying textural contrast.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 920 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg