Description
A comforting and hearty Beefy Tortellini Pasta Bake featuring ground beef, tender cheese tortellini, marinara sauce, and a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses baked to bubbly perfection. This easy weeknight casserole is bursting with Italian flavors and can be customized with your favorite veggies or protein substitutions.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce and Seasoning
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese and Pasta
- 1 (20-ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking once your dish is assembled.
- Cook Beef and Onion: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with the diced onion until the beef is browned and the onion softens, approximately 6 to 8 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant, enhancing the dish’s flavor.
- Drain Excess Grease: If necessary, drain excess fat from the skillet to avoid a greasy sauce.
- Simmer Sauce: Add the marinara sauce, drained diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Mix in Tortellini: Add the refrigerated cheese tortellini to the skillet and gently stir to coat them evenly with the sauce without breaking the pasta.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the entire mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the tortellini mixture.
- Bake: Place the baking dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired before serving for a fresh, vibrant touch.
Notes
- Substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage instead of ground beef for different flavors.
- Add spinach or mushrooms to the sauce for extra vegetables and nutrition.
- Use a spicy marinara sauce if you prefer a bit of heat in your pasta bake.
