Description
This Beefy Tortellini Pasta Bake is a comforting and easy-to-make Italian-American casserole featuring ground beef, cheese-filled tortellini, marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses baked to golden perfection. It’s perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara or pasta sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Pasta and Cheese
- 1 package (20 oz) refrigerated or frozen cheese tortellini
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Ground Beef and Vegetables: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef along with the diced onion until the meat is browned and fully cooked. Drain off any excess grease. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Make the Sauce: Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 5 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Cook Tortellini: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the cheese tortellini for 2 to 3 minutes less than the package instructions indicate, so they remain slightly undercooked as they will finish cooking in the oven. Drain the tortellini carefully.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Gently stir the drained tortellini into the meat sauce in the skillet, ensuring the pasta is well coated.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Transfer the tortellini and meat sauce mixture into the prepared baking dish in an even layer. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired to add a pop of color and fresh flavor.
Notes
- You can swap the cheese tortellini for spinach or meat-filled tortellini for variety.
- Adding chopped spinach or sautéed mushrooms into the meat sauce is a great way to sneak in extra vegetables.
- Leftovers reheat well, making this dish an excellent choice for meal prep or easy next-day dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
