Description

A comforting and hearty baked tortellini casserole made with tender cheese tortellini, rich savory meat sauce, and layers of melted mozzarella and parmesan for a satisfying Italian-inspired family dinner.

Ingredients

20 oz refrigerated cheese tortellini

1 lb ground beef

1 small onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce

1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon olive oil

Fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Cook tortellini in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onion for 3–4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess grease if necessary.
Stir in marinara sauce, drained diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5–7 minutes.
Fold cooked tortellini into the meat sauce until evenly coated.
Spread half of the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with 1 cup mozzarella and half of the parmesan.
Layer remaining tortellini mixture on top and finish with remaining mozzarella and parmesan.
Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Broil for 2–3 minutes if desired for a golden top.
Let rest for 5 minutes, garnish with parsley, and serve.

Notes

Ground turkey or Italian sausage can be substituted for ground beef.

For a vegetarian version, replace meat with sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach.

Add ricotta for extra creaminess or red pepper flakes for heat.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Freeze unbaked casserole tightly wrapped for up to 2 months and thaw overnight before baking.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 520 kcal
Sugar: 8 g
Sodium: 820 mg
Fat: 28 g
Saturated Fat: 12 g
Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
Trans Fat: 1 g
Carbohydrates: 38 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 30 g
Cholesterol: 85 mg