Go Back
Beefy tortellini bake in baking dish with golden melted cheese on top fresh from oven

Beefy Tortellini Bake

A comforting and hearty dish featuring tender tortellini baked with savory beef sauce and topped with melted cheese, perfect for cozy weeknight dinners.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef 85/15 blend recommended
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 28 ounces crushed tomatoes 1 can
  • 2 cups beef broth low sodium preferred
  • 9 ounces refrigerated cheese tortellini 1 package, fresh from refrigerated section
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper adjust to taste

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Wooden spoon
  • Measuring cups

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and position the rack in the center.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, chopped onion, and minced garlic. Break up the beef with a wooden spoon as it cooks for 5 to 7 minutes until the beef is browned completely and the onion turns soft and translucent. If more than 2 tablespoons of grease pools in the pan, carefully pour off the excess.
  3. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and beef broth. Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer with small bubbles forming around the edges. Let it simmer for 15 minutes, stirring every few minutes. This cooks the tortellini and develops the flavors.
  4. Add the tortellini directly to the skillet along with 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Stir everything together until the pasta is coated in sauce. The tortellini should be tender when tested with a bite.
  5. Transfer the mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish and spread evenly with a spatula. Sprinkle the remaining cup of mozzarella cheese over the top in an even layer.
  6. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and starting to turn golden brown in spots. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

This dish can be assembled ahead and refrigerated up to 24 hours before baking. Add 10 minutes to baking time if starting from cold. For a lighter option, substitute ground turkey or chicken. Frozen tortellini can be used but add 5 extra minutes to the stovetop simmer time. Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be frozen for up to 3 months.