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Baked Tortellini with Meat Sauce Recipe

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4.1 from 7 reviews

This hearty Baked Tortellini with Meat Sauce is a comforting, easy-to-make casserole that combines tender tortellini pasta, savory ground beef, rich marinara sauce, and a cheesy topping baked to perfection. Ready in just 45 minutes, it’s a perfect weeknight dinner that the whole family will love.

Ingredients

Meat Sauce

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Fresh-cracked black pepper, to taste
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce (about 3 cups)

Pasta and Cheese

  • 18-20 ounces refrigerated tortellini, uncooked (any variety)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F to ensure it’s hot enough for baking the tortellini casserole evenly.
  2. Cook Meat and Onion: Warm a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the onion softens and the beef is mostly browned. Drain any excess fat from the pan to keep the dish lean.
  3. Add Seasonings: Stir in minced garlic, Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 6-8 cracks of fresh black pepper. Cook for another 1-2 minutes to release the garlic’s flavor, making sure to stir frequently.
  4. Combine Sauce and Tortellini: Pour in the marinara sauce. Add uncooked tortellini and mix well to coat the pasta evenly. Then stir in a little more than half of the shredded mozzarella cheese to incorporate creaminess into the sauce and pasta mixture.
  5. Top with Cheese: Evenly sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese on top of the mixture in the skillet to create a cheesy crust after baking.
  6. Bake Covered: Cover the skillet tightly with aluminum foil or a lid if available. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. This allows the tortellini to cook through in the sauce and the cheese to melt fully.
  7. Check for Doneness: Carefully remove the foil or lid. Check that the cheese is melted, the tortellini is tender by testing one from the center, and the sauce is bubbling—all signs that the dish is ready.
  8. Optional Broil: For a golden, lightly browned top, switch your oven to broil and place the skillet inside for 1-2 minutes. Watch closely to prevent burning.
  9. Rest and Serve: Take the skillet out of the oven and let it rest for 3-4 minutes to set the cheese and flavors. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or basil over the top before serving. Enjoy your delicious baked tortellini casserole!

Notes

  • Use an oven-safe skillet or transfer mixture to a baking dish if your pan is not oven-safe.
  • You can use cheese-filled or plain refrigerated tortellini according to your preference.
  • To make it spicier, add red pepper flakes when seasoning.
  • Letting the dish rest after baking helps the sauce thicken and the cheese set, making serving easier.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.

Find it online: https://cookedbygrace.com/baked-tortellini-with-meat-sauce-recipe/