Description
A hearty and comforting baked pasta dish made with cheesy tortellini, savory ground beef, marinara sauce, and melted cheese — perfect for family dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 (20 oz) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5–7 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook tortellini according to package directions until just al dente. Drain well.
- In the prepared baking dish, combine cooked tortellini and meat sauce. Mix gently to coat evenly.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let sit for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Use hot Italian sausage instead of ground beef for a spicier version.
- Add a handful of spinach or chopped zucchini for extra veggies.
- This dish freezes well; assemble and freeze before baking for future meals.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 generous portion
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: tortellini bake, beef pasta casserole, cheesy pasta bake, family dinner recipe, easy baked pasta