Description
This Baked Tortellini Casserole is a comforting Italian-inspired dish featuring cheese-filled tortellini baked in a savory tomato and ground beef sauce, topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a hearty family dinner, it combines tender pasta with rich flavors and gooey cheese baked to bubbly perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef (97/3)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Tomato Sauce
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes or whole peeled tomatoes, crushed by hand
- 8 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Pasta and Cheese
- 24 oz package fresh cheese tortellini
- 3 cups freshly grated mozzarella cheese, divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Sauté aromatics: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, releasing its fragrant aroma.
- Brown ground beef: Add the lean ground beef to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until the beef is browned and cooked through with no pink remaining.
- Add tomato sauces and season: Stir in the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Season the mixture with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and dried Italian seasoning. Allow the sauce to simmer for a few minutes to combine flavors.
- Combine tortellini and cheese: Add the uncooked fresh cheese tortellini to the skillet, stirring gently to coat them in the sauce. Then, stir in 1 1/2 cups of the grated mozzarella cheese until evenly distributed.
- Prepare casserole dish: Transfer the entire mixture from the skillet into a large casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake covered: Cover the casserole tightly with aluminum foil to keep moisture in. Bake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the cheese on top has melted.
- Serve: Remove from oven, let it sit for a few minutes before serving to allow it to set. Enjoy this hearty, cheesy baked tortellini casserole!
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
- For added veggies, consider mixing in chopped spinach or mushrooms along with the onions.
- If fresh tortellini is unavailable, frozen tortellini can also be used without thawing.
- Covering the casserole tightly helps prevent the pasta from drying out during baking.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (about 200g)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
