Description
This Easy Baked Tortellini recipe combines ground beef, aromatic herbs, and cheesy tortellini in a comforting baked dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners. The tortellini is gently thawed before mixing with a flavorful meat sauce, topped with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, then baked until bubbly and golden. It’s a cheesy, savory, and satisfying meal that’s simple to prepare and bursting with Italian-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3 large cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara or pasta sauce
Pasta and Cheese
- 1 (22-ounce) package frozen cheese tortellini
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, grated (about 2 cups)
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 3-quart baking dish thoroughly and set it aside to use later for baking the tortellini mixture.
- Cook ground beef and season: In a large pot over medium heat, add the ground beef and minced garlic. Cook, stirring often and breaking up the meat, until the beef is no longer pink. Drain any excess fat. Season the cooked beef with garlic powder, dried basil, dried parsley, dried oregano, dried thyme, crushed red pepper flakes if using, and salt and black pepper to taste.
- Add pasta sauce to meat: Stir the jar of marinara or pasta sauce into the seasoned ground beef, combining thoroughly to create a rich meat sauce.
- Prepare the tortellini: Place the frozen cheese tortellini into a colander, and run warm water over it for about one minute to slightly thaw. Drain well. This step helps the tortellini bake evenly without overcooking.
- Combine tortellini and meat sauce: Stir the drained tortellini into the meat sauce, making sure each pasta piece is well coated with the sauce.
- Add mozzarella cheese to the mixture: Remove the pot from heat, then stir in half of the grated mozzarella cheese into the tortellini and meat sauce mixture to add creamy cheesiness inside.
- Transfer to baking dish and top with cheeses: Pour the tortellini mixture into the prepared baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top, followed by the grated Parmesan cheese for a flavorful crust.
- Bake covered, then uncovered: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until the dish is hot, bubbly, and the cheese on top is melted and golden.
Notes
- Substitute fresh herbs for dried herbs by using three times the quantity, as fresh herbs are less potent.
- You can add grated vegetables like zucchini or carrots to the meat sauce for extra nutrition and flavor.
- Refrigerated cheese tortellini can be used instead of frozen, no change in recipe needed.
- If using dried tortellini, boil and drain according to package instructions before combining with the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approx.)
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
