Beefy Tortellini Bake Recipe
This Beefy Tortellini Bake is a hearty, comforting Italian-inspired casserole featuring tender cheese-filled tortellini combined with a savory ground beef and marinara sauce, topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a family dinner, this easy-to-make dish offers rich flavors and cheesy goodness baked to golden perfection.
- Author: Elias
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Lactose
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
Pasta and Sauces
- 12 oz cheese-filled tortellini (fresh or frozen)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
Cheeses and Seasonings
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
Others
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and spray a baking dish with nonstick spray to prepare for the casserole assembly.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until translucent, approximately 3-4 minutes. Then add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until aromatic.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add ground beef to the skillet with onions and garlic. Cook, stirring and breaking up the meat, until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
- Add Sauce and Seasoning: Stir in marinara sauce and Italian seasoning into the beef mixture. Reduce heat and let it simmer gently for 5 minutes to combine the flavors.
- Cook Tortellini: While the sauce simmers, cook the cheese-filled tortellini according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well.
- Combine Tortellini with Meat Sauce: Add the cooked tortellini to the skillet with the meat sauce and stir gently until the pasta is evenly coated.
- Assemble the Bake: Transfer the tortellini and meat mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly on top, followed by the grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving hot for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use fresh tortellini if available for a softer texture, or frozen for convenience.
- Feel free to add chopped spinach or mushrooms into the meat sauce for extra veggies.
- Leftover casserole can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- To save time, use pre-chopped onions and pre-minced garlic.
- Adjust the Italian seasoning amount to your taste preference or use a mix of basil, oregano, and thyme.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximate)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: beef tortellini bake, cheesy tortellini casserole, Italian beef bake, easy pasta bake, comfort food