Description
A hearty, cheesy baked pasta dish loaded with tender cheese tortellini, savory ground beef, and rich marinara sauce — an irresistible comfort meal that’s easy to make and sure to please everyone at the table.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara or spaghetti sauce
- 1 (9-ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet, cook ground beef and onion over medium heat until beef is browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes to combine flavors.
- Meanwhile, cook tortellini according to package directions, but reduce cooking time by 1–2 minutes (it will continue cooking in the oven). Drain well.
- In the baking dish, layer half of the beef sauce, then all the tortellini. Spoon ricotta over the pasta in small dollops. Pour remaining beef sauce on top.
- Sprinkle evenly with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Broil for 1–2 minutes if you want a golden, crispy top. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.
Notes
- Use spicy Italian sausage instead of ground beef for extra flavor.
- Add spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini to the sauce for a veggie boost.
- This dish can be assembled ahead and refrigerated — just bake for an extra 10 minutes when ready to serve.
- Leftovers reheat beautifully in the oven or microwave the next day.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian-American