Introduction

Oh, hello there! Do you ever have those evenings where the thought of doing a million dishes feels absolutely dreadful? Or maybe you’re craving something warm, comforting, and oh-so-satisfying without all the fuss? This Easy One-Pan Beefy Tortellini Bake is my absolute go-to for exactly those moments. It’s the kind of meal that brings back memories of cozy nights in, and the best part? It all comes together in one pan, meaning way less cleanup and more time to actually enjoy your delicious creation.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Speedy! Seriously, this comes together faster than you can say “dinner time!”
Effortless: Minimal prep and one pan means you can practically throw it together on a weeknight.
Perfect for Gifting: Bake it in a disposable pan, and you’ve got an instant, thoughtful meal for friends or family.
Guaranteed Crowd-Pleaser: Who can resist cheesy pasta and savory beef? It’s a hit with kids and adults alike!

Ingredients

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to deliciousness! Here’s what you’ll need:

1 lb Ground Beef: Your savory foundation. Any fat percentage works, just drain the excess grease later.
3 cloves Garlic, minced: Because everything is better with a little garlic!
1 medium Onion, chopped: It adds a lovely sweetness and depth of flavor.
2 cups Marinara Sauce: Your favorite jarred sauce is totally fine here, making it extra quick!
12 oz Cheese-filled Tortellini, fresh or frozen: The star of our show! Fresh or frozen, both work beautifully.
1 tbsp Italian Seasoning: This little blend packs a punch of classic Italian flavors.
1 tbsp Olive Oil: Just enough to get things started in the pan.
2 cups Mozzarella Cheese, shredded: For that irresistible cheesy pull.
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated: Adds a salty, nutty finish.

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get cooking! This is so straightforward, you’ll be amazed at how simple it is.

Preheat your oven: Get it nice and toasty to 375°F (190°C).
Brown the beef: Heat the olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Toss in your ground beef and break it up with a spoon as it cooks until it’s nicely browned. Once it’s cooked, drain off any extra fat – nobody wants a greasy bake!
Sauté the aromatics: Now, add your chopped onion and minced garlic right into the same skillet with the beef. Cook them until they’re nice and soft and fragrant, which usually takes about 5 minutes.
Sauce it up: Stir in the marinara sauce and the Italian seasoning. Give it a good mix and let it come to a gentle simmer.
Add the tortellini: Time for the pasta! Add your tortellini directly into the skillet and stir everything together so all those little pasta pockets are coated in the delicious sauce.
Cheese, please! Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top, followed by the grated Parmesan cheese. Oh, the cheesy goodness to come!
Cover and bake: Pop a lid on your skillet, or if you don’t have one, just cover it tightly with aluminum foil.
Bake until bubbly: Let it bake for 20-25 minutes. You’re looking for the tortellini to be cooked through and the cheese to be melted and wonderfully bubbly.
Rest and serve: Let your glorious bake stand for a few minutes before serving. This helps everything settle and makes it easier to scoop out.

Substitutions & Additions

This recipe is fantastic as is, but sometimes it’s fun to mix things up! Here are a few ideas:

Veggie Boost: Feel free to add some sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or even a handful of fresh spinach in step 3 with the onions and garlic.
Spicy Kick: Love a little heat? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Meat Swap: Don’t have ground beef? Ground turkey or Italian sausage would work wonderfully here.
Cheese Varieties: Feel free to mix up the cheese! A little provolone or Monterey Jack could be a tasty addition.

Tips for Success

A few little tricks can make this bake even more spectacular:

Don’t Overcrowd: Make sure your skillet is large enough to hold everything comfortably. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking.
Fresh vs. Frozen Tortellini: If using fresh tortellini, they might cook a little faster, so keep an eye on them. Frozen tortellini are great because they hold their shape well.
Prep Ahead: You can totally brown the beef and sauté the onions and garlic ahead of time. Just store them in the fridge and add the sauce and tortellini when you’re ready to bake.
Drain Well: Properly draining the excess fat from the ground beef is key to a cleaner, tastier final dish.

How to Store It

Got leftovers? Lucky you! This bake reheats beautifully.

Let the bake cool completely before storing.
Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
To reheat, you can pop a portion in the microwave until heated through, or for the best texture, reheat it in a covered oven-safe dish at around 350°F (175°C) until warm. A little splash of water or broth can help keep it moist when reheating.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the beef and onion mixture and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, add the sauce and tortellini, top with cheese, and bake as directed. You might need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if the mixture is cold.

What if I don’t have an oven-safe skillet?

No problem! You can cook the beef mixture in any skillet, then transfer it to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish before adding the tortellini, sauce, and cheese. Then, bake as usual!

Can I use different pasta instead of tortellini?

While tortellini is lovely here, you could try other short pasta shapes like penne or rotini. Just make sure to cook them al dente before adding them to the sauce, as they’ll continue to cook in the oven.

Easy One-Pan Beefy Tortellini Bake

A warm, comforting, and incredibly easy one-pan meal featuring cheesy tortellini and savory ground beef in a rich marinara sauce, perfect for weeknights or gifting.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Servings 6 people

Equipment

oven-safe skillet Or a regular skillet and a 9x13 inch baking dish
Spoon
aluminum foil If skillet does not have a lid

Ingredients

Main ingredients

1 lb Ground Beef Any fat percentage works, drain excess grease.
3 cloves Garlic Minced
1 medium Onion Chopped
2 cups Marinara Sauce Your favorite jarred sauce.
12 oz Cheese-filled Tortellini Fresh or frozen.
1 tbsp Italian Seasoning
1 tbsp Olive Oil
2 cups Mozzarella Cheese Shredded
0.5 cup Parmesan Cheese Grated

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Heat the olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break it up as it cooks until browned. Drain excess fat.
Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook until soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
Stir in marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Mix well and bring to a gentle simmer.
Add tortellini to the skillet and stir to coat with sauce.
Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the top, followed by grated Parmesan cheese.
Cover the skillet with a lid or aluminum foil.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, until tortellini is cooked through and cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let stand for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

This recipe is great for gifting if baked in a disposable pan. Feel free to add vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach with the onions and garlic. For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes to the sauce. Ground turkey or Italian sausage can be substituted for ground beef. Other cheeses like provolone or Monterey Jack can be mixed in.