Description
Hearty beef and cheese tortellini bake delivers Italian-inspired comfort straight to family dinner tables. Melted cheese, rich tomato sauce, and perfectly seasoned ground beef create a delicious one-pan meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Cheese and Pasta:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) cheese tortellini
- 1 cup (100 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) marinara sauce
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) beef broth
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Garnish:
- Fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375F (190C) to prepare for a hearty baked dish.
- Sauté chopped onions in olive oil over medium heat until they become translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook briefly, then introduce ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart while cooking until thoroughly browned.
- Drain any excess fat from the meat to ensure a clean, rich flavor profile.
- Pour marinara sauce into the skillet, complementing the meat with beef broth, dried basil, oregano, and optional red pepper flakes for subtle heat.
- Allow the sauce to simmer for 5 minutes, enabling the seasonings to develop a robust, integrated taste.
- Gently fold cooked tortellini into the meat sauce, ensuring each pasta pocket is generously coated.
- Transfer the combined mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading evenly to create a uniform layer.
- Generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan across the top, creating a golden, melty cheese blanket.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the cheese becomes gloriously bubbling and edges turn a tempting golden brown.
- Allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes after removing from oven, letting flavors settle and cheese slightly firm.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh basil or parsley for a vibrant, aromatic finishing touch before serving.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a lighter dish.
- Drain the beef thoroughly after cooking to prevent a greasy texture and maintain the sauce’s consistency.
- Customize the spice level by adjusting red pepper flakes or adding other herbs like thyme or rosemary for depth.
- Opt for whole wheat tortellini to boost nutritional value and add a nutty flavor to the bake.
- Prep Time: 10-12 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 610 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg