Description
This Easy Baked Tortellini recipe features a delicious combination of ground beef, savory herbs, marinara sauce, and cheesy tortellini baked to perfection. It’s a hearty, comforting dish that’s simple to prepare and perfect for weeknight dinners, offering a satisfying meal with layers of rich flavors and gooey melted cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasonings
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3 large cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Sauce and Pasta
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara/pasta sauce
- 1 (22-ounce) package frozen cheese tortellini
Cheeses
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, grated (about 2 cups)
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 3-quart baking dish to prevent the tortellini from sticking while baking and set it aside for later use.
- Brown the Beef: In a large pot over medium heat, add the ground beef and minced garlic. Cook until the beef is no longer pink, breaking it up into smaller pieces and stirring frequently to ensure even cooking. Once browned, drain off the excess fat to reduce greasiness.
- Season the Meat: Add garlic powder, dried basil, dried parsley, dried oregano, dried thyme, crushed red pepper flakes if desired, and salt and black pepper to taste. Mix well to evenly distribute the herbs and spices throughout the meat.
- Add Sauce and Tortellini: Stir in the marinara sauce into the seasoned beef mixture. Pour the frozen tortellini into a colander and rinse with warm water for about a minute to slightly thaw and separate the pieces. Drain well and fold the tortellini into the meat sauce gently to combine.
- Add Cheese and Transfer: Remove the pot from heat and stir in half of the grated mozzarella cheese. Then transfer this tortellini and meat sauce mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Top and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly over the top, followed by the grated Parmesan cheese. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven.
- Finish Baking: Remove the foil from the dish and continue baking for an additional 15 to 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden on top. Once done, allow the dish to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- If you have fresh herbs, substitute dried herbs using three times the amount for a fresher flavor.
- You can add grated vegetables such as zucchini or carrots to the meat sauce for added nutrition and texture.
- Refrigerated cheese tortellini can be used instead of frozen, just no need to thaw.
- If using dried tortellini, boil and drain according to package instructions before combining with the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
