Description
This Baked Tortellini Casserole is a comforting and hearty Italian-inspired dish featuring tender cheese tortellini baked in a savory tomato and ground beef sauce topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for family dinners, this casserole combines rich flavors with a simple preparation that yields a deliciously cheesy and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef (97/3)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 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
- 24 oz package fresh cheese tortellini
- 3 cups freshly grated mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to get it ready for baking the casserole.
- Sauté Onions: In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat, then add the diced onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Brown Ground Beef: Add the lean ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned and fully cooked through, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Mix Tomato Sauces and Seasonings: Stir in the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce with the beef. Add the dried Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Mix well and let the sauce simmer for a few minutes to meld the flavors.
- Add Tortellini and Cheese: Stir in the uncooked fresh cheese tortellini and 1 1/2 cups of the grated mozzarella cheese into the sauce, mixing gently to combine everything evenly.
- Transfer to Casserole Dish: Pour the mixture into a casserole dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the casserole tightly with aluminum foil to prevent the cheese from burning, and bake in the preheated oven at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly.
Notes
- Using fresh tortellini is best as it cooks perfectly in the sauce while baking.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes when sautéing garlic.
- If you prefer, add fresh basil or parsley as a garnish after baking.
- Let the casserole rest a few minutes before serving to set nicely.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
