Easy and Delicious Beefy Tortellini Bake Recipe

This Beefy Tortellini Bake is the answer to those hectic weeknight dinners when you need something hearty, satisfying, and ready in under an hour. Picture this: tender cheese tortellini swimming in a rich, savory beef and tomato sauce, all topped with bubbly mozzarella cheese that creates the perfect golden crust. It’s the kind of one-dish wonder that brings the whole family running to the dinner table.

I discovered this recipe on one of those particularly chaotic Tuesday evenings when my kids were hangry, my husband was working late, and I had exactly 45 minutes to create dinner magic.

What started as a desperate pantry raid turned into our new family favorite. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity – you’re essentially creating a deconstructed lasagna that requires half the effort but delivers all the comfort food satisfaction.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This beefy tortellini bake has become my go-to solution for busy families who refuse to compromise on flavor. Unlike traditional baked pasta dishes that require pre-cooking multiple components, this recipe streamlines the process by cooking the tortellini right in the savory beef mixture. The result? Perfectly tender pasta that absorbs all those incredible flavors while you focus on other things.

What really sets this dish apart is its incredible versatility and crowd-pleasing appeal. I’ve served it to picky eaters, pasta enthusiasts, and even my mother-in-law (the toughest critic of all), and it never fails to impress. The combination of ground beef, aromatic vegetables, and cheese-filled tortellini creates layers of flavor that satisfy both kids and adults. Plus, it makes fantastic leftovers – if there are any! Explore more trending family favorites here for additional weeknight inspiration.

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Ingredients List

Here’s everything you’ll need to create this comforting beefy tortellini bake:

The beauty of this ingredient list lies in its accessibility – most items are pantry staples or easily found at any grocery store. The refrigerated tortellini can usually be found in the refrigerated pasta section, and I always keep a package on hand for quick dinner solutions. Discover more quick weeknight dinners here for additional time-saving meal ideas that busy families will love.

Step-by-Step Directions

Creating this satisfying Beefy Tortellini Bake is surprisingly straightforward, requiring just one skillet and a baking dish. The key to success lies in building flavors layer by layer, ensuring each component contributes to the final delicious result.

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks. This should take about 5-7 minutes until no pink remains. The browning process develops rich, savory flavors that form the foundation of your dish.

Once the beef is cooked, add the chopped onion to the same skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. This aromatic base will infuse the entire dish with incredible depth.

Next, stir in the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Add the uncooked tortellini directly to the skillet, stirring gently to ensure each piece is coated with the sauce. The pasta will cook perfectly in the oven, absorbing all those wonderful flavors.

Top the entire mixture with shredded mozzarella cheese, then transfer to your preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly, and the tortellini is tender when pierced with a fork.

Exact Timing to make Beefy Tortellini Bake

The total preparation and cooking time for this recipe is approximately 45 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners. Here’s the precise breakdown:

• Prep time: 10 minutes (chopping vegetables and measuring ingredients)
• Stovetop cooking: 15 minutes (browning beef, sautéing vegetables, and simmering sauce)
• Baking time: 20-25 minutes (until cheese is golden and tortellini is tender)
• Rest time: 5 minutes (allowing the dish to set before serving)

This efficient timeline means you can have a hearty, home-cooked meal on the table in under an hour, even on the most hectic evenings.

Nutritional Information

Understanding the nutritional profile of your Beefy Tortellini Bake helps you make informed decisions about portion sizes and dietary planning. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown per serving (recipe serves 6):

This nutritional data indicates that the dish provides substantial protein and calcium while delivering a balanced macronutrient profile. The high protein content makes it particularly satisfying for growing families and active individuals.

Healthier Alternatives

Transform your Beefy Tortellini Bake into a more nutritious meal while maintaining its delicious appeal through these strategic ingredient swaps and modifications:

Additional modifications include incorporating finely diced bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms into the beef mixture to boost vegetable content without overwhelming picky eaters. For those following specific dietary needs, ground chicken or plant-based meat alternatives work beautifully in this recipe. Explore more quick & easy recipes here for additional family-friendly meal inspiration.

Consider using cashew-based cheese alternatives for dairy-free versions, or try a combination of nutritional yeast and cashew cream for a lighter topping that still provides that satisfying cheesy flavor profile.

Serving Suggestions

This hearty Beefy Tortellini Bake pairs beautifully with simple, fresh accompaniments that complement rather than compete with its rich flavors. A crisp Caesar salad or mixed greens with balsamic vinaigrette provides the perfect acidic contrast to cut through the richness of the cheese and beef. The fresh, crunchy textures also add visual appeal and nutritional balance to your meal.

Warm, crusty garlic bread or focaccia makes an excellent side for soaking up any remaining sauce, while steamed broccoli or roasted asparagus adds color and additional nutrients to round out the dinner plate. The key is choosing sides that offer textural variety and fresh flavors to balance the comfort food richness.

For entertaining or special occasions, consider serving this dish family-style directly from the baking dish, garnished with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. This presentation approach emphasizes the rustic, homestyle appeal while making serving effortless for busy hosts.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

One of the most frequent errors when preparing Beefy Tortellini Bake is using pre-cooked tortellini instead of the uncooked refrigerated variety. The uncooked pasta is essential because it absorbs the flavors from the sauce while baking, creating a more cohesive and flavorful dish. Pre-cooked tortellini can become mushy and won’t integrate properly with the other ingredients.

Another common mistake involves not allowing adequate liquid in the mixture before baking. The tortellini needs sufficient moisture to cook properly in the oven, so resist the urge to reduce the beef broth quantity. If your mixture appears too dry before baking, add an extra ½ cup of broth to ensure proper pasta cooking and prevent burning.

Overbaking is the third pitfall that can transform this delicious dish into a dried-out disappointment. Watch for the golden brown cheese topping and test the tortellini tenderness with a fork around the 20-minute mark. The pasta should be tender but not mushy, and the cheese should be bubbly with golden spots rather than deeply browned.

Storing Tips

Proper storage techniques ensure your leftover Beefy Tortellini Bake maintains its delicious quality for future meals. Allow the dish to cool completely before transferring to airtight containers, then refrigerate for up to 4 days. The flavors actually improve overnight as they continue to meld together, making leftovers particularly tasty.

For reheating, add a tablespoon of water or broth to individual portions before microwaving to prevent drying out. Alternatively, cover the entire dish with foil and reheat in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through. This oven method helps maintain the original texture better than microwave reheating.

This recipe freezes exceptionally well for up to 3 months when properly stored in freezer-safe containers. For best results, slightly undercook the initial baking by 5 minutes if you plan to freeze portions. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, and add a splash of broth if the mixture seems dry after thawing.

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Beefy Tortellini Bake

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• Author: julia
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

A comforting baked pasta dish featuring tender cheese tortellini in a savory beef and tomato sauce, topped with melted mozzarella. Ready in 45 minutes, it’s the perfect weeknight family dinner.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 package (9 ounces) refrigerated cheese tortellini
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large oven-safe skillet, cook ground beef over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
3. Add chopped onion and cook 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Stir in crushed tomatoes, beef broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Add uncooked tortellini directly to skillet and stir to coat in sauce.
6. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
7. Transfer skillet to oven and bake 20-25 minutes, until cheese is golden and tortellini is tender.
8. Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

This dish is like a shortcut lasagna – hearty, cheesy, and packed with flavor, but much easier to prepare. Perfect for busy nights and even better as leftovers.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Oven-Baked
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 portion
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 7g
• Sodium: 890mg
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 11g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 28g
• Cholesterol: 85mg

Keywords: beefy tortellini bake, baked pasta, tortellini casserole, easy family dinner