Introduction
Remember those cozy weeknight dinners that just felt like a warm hug? The ones where the kitchen filled with the most amazing aromas and everyone gathered around the table, ready for a hearty, satisfying meal? Well, get ready to recreate that magic! Today, we’re diving into a recipe that’s so simple, so delicious, and so comforting, it’s bound to become a staple in your home: Easy Baked Tortellini with Meat Sauce. Seriously, you won’t believe how quickly this comes together, making it the perfect answer to those busy evenings when you want something fantastic without a fuss.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: From start to finish, this meal is ready in under an hour, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Easy: Minimal prep and simple steps mean even beginner cooks can whip this up with confidence.
- Giftable: Make a double batch and freeze one for a thoughtful meal to share with a friend or neighbor.
- Crowd-pleasing: This dish is a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults – everyone loves cheesy pasta and savory meat sauce!
Ingredients
Gather ’round, friends, and let’s see what deliciousness we’re working with:
- 1 lb Lean Ground Beef: The savory foundation of our incredible meat sauce.
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced: Because no Italian-inspired dish is complete without that aromatic punch of garlic!
- 1/2 Medium Yellow Onion, chopped: Adds a touch of sweetness and depth to the sauce.
- 24 oz Marinara Sauce: Your favorite store-bought sauce is perfectly fine here – it saves so much time!
- 18 oz Refrigerated Tortellini: Grab your favorite kind – cheese, meat, or spinach, they all work beautifully!
- 2 tsp Italian Seasoning: This magical blend brings all those classic Italian herb flavors together.
- Kosher Salt and Fresh-Cracked Black Pepper to taste: The essential seasonings to bring out all the wonderful flavors.
- 1 1/2 cups Mozzarella Cheese, shredded: For that irresistible, melty, bubbly topping we all dream of.
- 2 tbsp Grated Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty finish that takes it over the top.
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get cooking! This is where the magic happens, and trust me, it’s a breeze.
- Preheat Your Oven: First things first, let’s get that oven nice and toasty. Set it to 375°F (190°C). While it’s warming up, find yourself a good-sized skillet – a large one is best for this.
- Brown the Beef: Pop your ground beef into the skillet over medium heat. Break it up as it cooks until it’s all nicely browned. Once it’s done, carefully drain off any excess grease. We want flavor, not fat!
- Sauté Aromatics: Now, toss in your chopped onion and minced garlic with the browned beef. Stir them around and let them cook until the onion starts to soften and become fragrant, usually about 5 minutes. Oh, that smell already!
- Sauce it Up: Pour in your marinara sauce and sprinkle in that Italian seasoning. Give it all a good stir to combine everything beautifully. Now’s the time to taste and season with a pinch of salt and a good crack of fresh black pepper. You’re the chef, so make it perfect for your taste buds!
- Add the Tortellini: Gently add the refrigerated tortellini right into the skillet with your simmering meat sauce. Stir everything together so each little pasta pocket is coated in that delicious sauce.
- Into the Dish: Grab a greased 9×13 inch baking dish – this size is perfect for feeding a hungry crew. Pour that glorious tortellini and sauce mixture evenly into the dish.
- Cheese, Please! Now for the best part: generously sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese all over the top, followed by a dusting of grated Parmesan cheese. Make sure it’s nice and even for that ultimate cheesy crust.
- Bake to Perfection: Pop that beautiful dish into your preheated oven. Let it bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is gloriously melted, bubbly, and golden brown, and the tortellini is heated all the way through. You’ll know it’s ready when the edges are slightly crisp and the whole dish is just singing with deliciousness.
Substitutions & Additions
This recipe is wonderfully flexible! Feel free to make it your own:
- Meat Swap: No ground beef? No problem! Ground turkey or even a plant-based crumble work wonderfully.
- Veggies Galore: Want to sneak in some extra goodness? Sauté some chopped bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach along with the onions.
- Spice it Up: If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Cheese Please: Feel free to mix in some provolone or a sprinkle of cheddar for an extra cheesy layer.
Tips for Success
A few little tricks to ensure your baked tortellini is absolutely perfect every time:
- Don’t Overcook the Tortellini: Since you’re baking it, it will continue to cook. Make sure your tortellini is cooked just until al dente before adding it to the sauce.
- Grease Your Dish: A quick spray or swipe of oil in your baking dish prevents any sticking and makes for easier cleanup.
- Prep Ahead: You can assemble the entire dish (before baking) up to a day in advance. Cover it tightly and refrigerate. You might need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
- Frozen for Later: This makes a fantastic freezer meal! Assemble, cover tightly, and freeze. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed.
How to Store It
Leftovers are a good thing, especially with this dish! Once cooled, transfer any remaining baked tortellini to an airtight container. It will keep wonderfully in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or pop the whole dish back in the oven for a quick warm-up.
FAQs
Got questions? We’ve got answers!
Can I use dried tortellini instead of refrigerated?
You sure can! If using dried tortellini, cook it according to package directions until al dente, then drain and stir it into the meat sauce before pouring it into your baking dish. You might need to add a little extra marinara sauce to ensure it’s moist enough for baking.
Is this recipe good for a potluck?
Absolutely! This Baked Tortellini with Meat Sauce is a potluck superstar. It travels well and is always a crowd-pleaser. Just make sure to keep it warm until serving.
Can I make this vegetarian?
You bet! Simply omit the ground beef and add extra vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers. You might want to add a little extra Italian seasoning to compensate for the missing savory flavor.
Easy Baked Tortellini with Meat Sauce
Equipment
- Large skillet
- 9x13 inch baking dish greased
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 1 lb Lean Ground Beef
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 0.5 medium Yellow Onion chopped
- 24 oz Marinara Sauce your favorite store-bought
- 18 oz Refrigerated Tortellini your favorite kind
- 2 tsp Italian Seasoning
- Kosher Salt to taste
- Fresh-Cracked Black Pepper to taste
- 1.5 cups Mozzarella Cheese shredded
- 2 tbsp Grated Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease.1 lb Lean Ground Beef
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook until the onion softens and becomes fragrant, about 5 minutes.1 lb Lean Ground Beef
- Pour in the marinara sauce and sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Stir to combine. Taste and season with salt and pepper.1 lb Lean Ground Beef
- Gently add the refrigerated tortellini to the skillet with the meat sauce and stir to coat.1 lb Lean Ground Beef
- Pour the tortellini and sauce mixture evenly into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Generously sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top, followed by the grated Parmesan cheese.1 lb Lean Ground Beef
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown, and the tortellini is heated through.