Description
A hearty and comforting Cheesy Baked Tortellini Casserole layered with a rich meat sauce, creamy cheese blend, and topped with melted mozzarella and parmesan. Perfect for a family dinner or potluck, this casserole combines tender tortellini and savory ground beef in a delicious baked dish that’s sure to satisfy.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 (20oz) container of refrigerated or frozen cheese tortellini
Meat Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 (24oz) jar of pasta sauce
- seasoning to taste (salt, garlic powder, black pepper, Italian seasoning suggested)
Cheese
- 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
- 1–2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated or shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the tortellini: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the cheese tortellini according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish to prevent sticking.
- Brown the ground beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef with your chosen seasonings such as salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until the beef is fully browned and no longer pink.
- Make the meat sauce: Drain excess grease from the skillet. Stir in the jar of pasta sauce and cubed cream cheese. Simmer gently for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cream cheese is fully incorporated and the sauce is smooth.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked tortellini to the skillet and gently toss to coat evenly with the meat sauce mixture.
- Assemble the casserole: Pour the tortellini and sauce mixture into the prepared baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated parmesan cheese over the top.
- Bake the casserole: Place the casserole uncovered on the center rack of your preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes until heated through and the cheese is melted.
- Broil for browning: Switch your oven setting to broil and continue baking for an additional 2-3 minutes until the cheese topping begins to brown and bubble, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve and enjoy: Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy the casserole on its own or paired with a fresh salad, steamed veggies, or garlic bread.
Notes
- For added vegetables, consider stirring in cooked spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers with the sauce.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef for a lighter option.
- If you prefer a spicier sauce, add red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce when simmering the meat sauce.
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and consume within 3-4 days.
- To reheat, bake in the oven at 350°F until warmed through or microwave in short intervals.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
