Craving the ultimate comfort food that practically serves itself up in cheesy, beefy, bubbling glory? Let me introduce you to my all-time favorite: Beefy Tortellini Pasta Bake. This crave-worthy dish features pillow-soft cheese tortellini baked to perfection in a hearty, meaty tomato sauce, with golden, gooey melted cheese crowning every irresistible forkful. It’s a weeknight dream, ready in under an hour, and honestly, it’s one of those recipes you’ll keep coming back to for family dinners, potlucks, or anytime you need a satisfying, cozy meal that feels like a celebration.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Beefy Tortellini Pasta Bake is in the simple ingredients that each play a crucial part. Every component amps up the flavor, texture, or color, guaranteeing a dish that’s both easy to make and absolutely scrumptious. Here’s what you’ll need and why each one matters:
- Ground Beef: Provides the signature “beefy” richness and savory depth that makes this bake so comforting.
- Yellow Onion: Adds subtle sweetness and aromatic complexity as it softens alongside the meat.
- Garlic: Minced and sautéed for a gorgeous, mellow pungency that lifts the whole sauce.
- Marinara Sauce: The flavor-packed foundation for the sauce; store-bought keeps things simple, but feel free to use your favorite homemade version!
- Diced Tomatoes: Bring juicy brightness and a bit more body to the sauce.
- Italian Seasoning: Infuses the bake with classic herbaceous notes, tying all the Italian-inspired flavors together.
- Salt and Pepper: Enhances every layer—don’t forget, seasoning is key!
- Refrigerated Cheese Tortellini: The star pasta, stuffed with cheese and perfectly tender when baked.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: For that stretchy, melty, golden blanket on top.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Lends savory sharpness and brings the bake to a restaurant-quality finish.
- Chopped Fresh Parsley (optional): Adds a burst of color and freshness, making each serving feel extra special.
How to Make Beefy Tortellini Pasta Bake
Step 1: Brown the Beef and Onion
Start by heating a large skillet over medium heat. Add your ground beef and diced onion, cooking them together until the beef is nicely browned and the onions are soft and fragrant, usually about 6 to 8 minutes. This is where your kitchen starts to smell irresistibly good! Don’t forget to break up the beef as it cooks for that perfect saucy texture.
Step 2: Add Garlic for Aroma
Next, stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute or two. This quick step wakes up the savory flavors—just until it’s fragrant but not browned. If there’s a lot of excess grease, it’s a good time to drain it off so the sauce doesn’t get too heavy.
Step 3: Build the Sauce
Stir in the jar of marinara sauce, drained diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and season with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Let the mixture simmer gently for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken up just a bit. This transforms a few basic ingredients into a rich, meaty, spoon-coating sauce.
Step 4: Fold in the Tortellini
Add the refrigerated cheese tortellini directly to the skillet (no need to pre-boil!). Gently fold them in so each piece is beautifully coated with that beefy tomato sauce. Using refrigerated tortellini makes this step delightfully easy, and they’ll finish cooking as the whole dish bakes.
Step 5: Bake Cheese to Golden Perfection
Preheat your oven to 375°F (if you haven’t already), and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour the saucy tortellini mixture into the dish, spread it out evenly, and then blanket it with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan. Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes or until everything is bubbly, melty, and golden on top.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Rest the bake for a few minutes out of the oven, then shower it with a handful of fresh chopped parsley. This pop of green looks gorgeous, adds a fresh note, and practically begs you to dive in!
How to Serve Beefy Tortellini Pasta Bake
Garnishes
For that picture-perfect finish, top your Beefy Tortellini Pasta Bake with a generous sprinkle of fresh parsley or even a few extra shavings of Parmesan. If you enjoy a little heat, try a dash of crushed red pepper flakes. These garnishes brighten the dish visually and add bonus bursts of flavor with every bite!
Side Dishes
Serve your pasta bake alongside a crisp Caesar salad or a pile of roasted green beans, and don’t forget the crusty garlic bread to mop up every last bit of sauce. Because the bake itself is hearty, lighter sides keep the meal balanced while making it feel extra complete.
Creative Ways to Present
Try portioning the bake into individual ramekins for a dinner party twist, or serve family-style straight from the casserole dish for a cozy, homey vibe. For ultimate fun, top with extra cheese and pop the bake under the broiler for a few seconds for that irresistible, bubbling finish.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cool any leftover Beefy Tortellini Pasta Bake to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container. It keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to 3 days, making it a fantastic option for next-day lunches or speedy weeknight dinners.
Freezing
This pasta bake is freezer-friendly, too! Let it cool completely, then wrap individual portions (or the whole dish) tightly in foil and plastic wrap. Freeze up to 2 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, simply cover and warm in a 350°F oven until heated through and the cheese is bubbly again, about 20 minutes. For quick lunches, microwave smaller portions with a splash of water to keep the pasta moist—don’t forget a fresh sprinkle of Parmesan before serving!
FAQs
Can I substitute the ground beef?
Absolutely! You can swap in ground turkey or Italian sausage for a different flavor profile, or even a plant-based ground “meat” for a vegetarian-friendly twist.
Do I have to boil the tortellini first?
Nope! Use refrigerated tortellini straight from the package. It cooks perfectly in the oven, soaking up all the flavors as it bakes with the sauce.
What’s the best way to make this dish ahead?
You can assemble the Beefy Tortellini Pasta Bake a day in advance, cover well, and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. Just add an extra 5 to 10 minutes to the baking time if it’s going into the oven cold.
Can I add extra vegetables?
Definitely! Stir in some fresh spinach, sliced mushrooms, or bell peppers when you add the sauce. They’ll cook down beautifully and boost both the nutrition and flavor.
How do I prevent the cheese from drying out?
Make sure to bake uncovered just until the cheese is melted and golden. If you need to hold it longer, tent it loosely with foil to keep everything gooey and luscious.
Final Thoughts
If you’re longing for a meal that’s hearty, cheesy, and loaded with cozy flavors, it’s time to whip up Beefy Tortellini Pasta Bake. Gather your loved ones and let this easy, satisfying bake become a new staple at your table—you’ll be amazed at just how often you want to make it!
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Beefy Tortellini Pasta Bake Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in this comforting and cheesy Beefy Tortellini Pasta Bake that’s perfect for a family dinner. Loaded with savory ground beef, tender tortellini, and gooey cheese, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
For the Beefy Sauce:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Pasta Bake:
- 1 (20-ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook Beef: In a skillet, cook ground beef and onion until browned. Add garlic, then stir in marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add Tortellini: Stir in tortellini, then transfer everything to a baking dish.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake: Bake for 20–25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with parsley before serving.
Notes
- You can use ground turkey or Italian sausage instead of beef.
- Feel free to add spinach or mushrooms for extra vegetables.
- Opt for spicy marinara for a kick of heat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 530
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 910mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
