Manga Manga! The Tortellini Affair

Who can resist little soft pillows of pasta filled with meat?
Not this gal (two thumbs pointing at my chest)

Many times at restaurants around the area I see cheesy pasta bakes.  I refuse to order them.  Why?
Because people, I don't like spending $15.95+ on a dish that I know I can make at home, and do so frequently. 
While dinning out I feel you should order something that you don't have regularly or you don't know how to make.
But mostly, in this case especially, pasta is inexpensive and when I can make the same dish for say $7.00 for a family of 3 my frugalness comes in.
I buy my tortellini at Costco - a big honkin lot of it.
It's versatile. Pasta sauce is what a dollar?  Then you've got your fillers, cheeses, etc., cheap, easy, fulfilling.
Don't waste your pennies on pasta ladies and gentleman, unless you're rich, or you don't care (neither of those hold true for us haha) OR it has mass quantities of seafood in it (that makes your house stink and can be costly).

Here is our virtually effortless Tortellini Pasta Bake

Wanna make it?
Here's how:

Frozen tortellini (either meat or cheese filled)
1 can of your favorite pasta sauce (or homemade)
1/2 tub of ricotta cheese
A few hand fulls of pre-shredded Italian blend cheese
Fresh cracked pepper
Fresh Parmesan and parsley for garnish

In a pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta to direction less 1 minute.
In a separate pot simmer your pasta sauce until warmed.  Add in the ricotta and combine until melded.
At this point if you wanted to add in any extras (spices/veggies etc.) nows your chance.
Add your drained pasta to the sauce, combine to coat.
Toss into a greased baking dish, top with some shredded cheese and bake in a preheated oven (350F) for about 15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
Let stand a few minutes before serving.
Garnish with parm and parsley.
Enjoy!

I'm Listening to: This Isn't Everything You Are - Snow Patrol