Description
A warm and hearty baked pasta casserole made with tender cheese tortellini layered with rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella, baked until bubbly and golden.
Ingredients
20 oz refrigerated cheese tortellini
1 lb ground beef
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
24 oz marinara sauce
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the tortellini according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion until the beef is browned and fully cooked. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the prepared baking dish. Add half of the cooked tortellini in an even layer.
- Dollop half of the ricotta over the tortellini, then sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella and some Parmesan.
- Repeat the layers with remaining tortellini, ricotta, meat sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
Swap ground beef with Italian sausage for a spicier flavor.
Add sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini for extra nutrition.
Use ground turkey for a lighter version.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freeze for up to 2 months and thaw overnight before reheating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
