Creamy Shrimp Tortellini Alfredo Casserole: A Decadent Seafood Pasta Bake 🍤🧀🍝

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Creamy Shrimp Tortellini Alfredo Casserole, where plump shrimp, cheese-filled tortellini, and rich alfredo sauce come together in perfect harmony. This baked pasta dish delivers restaurant-quality flavors with the convenience of a one-pan meal, making it ideal for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.

The combination of tender shrimp and pillowy tortellini creates a luxurious texture, while the homemade alfredo sauce—infused with garlic, parmesan, and a hint of nutmeg—adds depth to every bite. Topped with a golden crust of melted mozzarella, this seafood pasta bake will become your new favorite way to enjoy shrimp recipes and cheesy tortellini dishes.

Quick Recipe Highlights

• Flavor Profile: Rich and creamy with savory shrimp, nutty parmesan, and subtle garlic notes
• Texture: Silky sauce coats tender shrimp and cheesy tortellini with a satisfying baked cheese topping
• Aroma: Fragrant garlic and herbs mingle with the buttery scent of seafood and cheese
• Visual Appeal: Golden-brown crust with pink shrimp peeking through makes for stunning presentation
• Skill Level Needed: Basic cooking skills required for sauce making and baking
• Special Equipment: 9×13 baking dish and medium saucepan needed

Recipe Overview

• Difficulty Level: This shrimp tortellini bake requires some multitasking but follows straightforward techniques. The key is properly cooking the shrimp and making a smooth alfredo sauce.
• Category: Main dish, seafood pasta, baked pasta, comfort food
• Cuisine: Italian-American fusion with coastal seafood influences
• Cost: Mid-range ingredients with shrimp being the most expensive component
• Season: Perfect year-round but especially comforting in cooler months
• Occasion: Elegant enough for dinner parties but simple enough for family meals

Why You’ll Love This Shrimp Tortellini Bake

The magic of this creamy shrimp tortellini alfredo casserole lies in its perfect balance of flavors and textures. The plump shrimp provide sweet, briny notes that cut through the richness of the cheese-filled tortellini and velvety alfredo sauce. Each component complements the others, creating a dish that’s greater than the sum of its parts.

From a practical standpoint, this baked shrimp pasta comes together in under an hour with minimal cleanup. The recipe uses mostly pantry staples with the exception of fresh shrimp, making it accessible for most home cooks. The casserole format means you can prep components ahead and simply bake when ready to serve.

Nutritionally, this dish provides quality protein from the shrimp and some calcium from the dairy. While rich, you can control portion sizes and balance the meal with a fresh green salad. The tortellini offers satisfying carbohydrates that make this a complete meal in one dish.

For entertaining, this casserole makes an impressive centerpiece that feeds a crowd. The combination of seafood and cheese appeals to most palates, and the beautiful presentation makes it perfect for special occasions or holiday meals. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will have guests asking for seconds.

Cost-wise, using frozen shrimp when fresh isn’t available or is too expensive makes this dish more budget-friendly. Cheese tortellini is typically reasonably priced, and the sauce ingredients are pantry staples. This makes the shrimp tortellini alfredo bake an affordable luxury compared to ordering similar dishes at restaurants.

Ingredient Deep Dive

Shrimp

For this shrimp alfredo casserole, medium (31/40 count) shrimp work best—large enough to stand up to baking but small enough to distribute well throughout the dish. Look for wild-caught shrimp when possible for better flavor and sustainability. Fresh or thawed frozen shrimp both work well; just pat them dry before cooking to prevent excess moisture in the sauce.

Cheese Tortellini

The cheese-filled tortellini provide pockets of creamy richness throughout the bake. Refrigerated fresh tortellini cooks quickly and maintains perfect texture. For best results, slightly undercook the pasta by 1-2 minutes since it will continue cooking in the oven. Frozen tortellini can be substituted but may require adjusted cooking times.

Alfredo Sauce

The homemade alfredo sauce starts with a roux (butter and flour) for stability, then builds flavor with garlic, cream, and quality parmesan. Freshly grated parmesan melts better than pre-shredded. A pinch of nutmeg enhances the sauce’s complexity without being identifiable. For a lighter version, substitute half the cream with whole milk.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overcooking the shrimp before baking – they’ll become rubbery when baked again
• Using pre-shredded parmesan that contains anti-caking agents – it won’t melt smoothly
• Overbaking the casserole – the sauce can break if cooked too long
• Not seasoning each component – shrimp, sauce, and pasta all need proper seasoning
• Using watery shrimp – always pat thawed shrimp dry thoroughly
• Overcrowding the baking dish – this leads to uneven cooking

Pro Tips for Perfect Creamy Shrimp Tortellini Alfredo Casserole

• Reserve some pasta water when draining the tortellini – it helps adjust sauce consistency
• Add shrimp to the casserole raw for extra tender results – they’ll cook perfectly in the oven
• Let the casserole rest 5 minutes after baking for cleaner slices
• Broil for the last 2 minutes for extra browning on top
• Use fresh herbs like parsley or basil for garnish to add color and freshness

The Recipe