Beef u0026amp; Cheese Tortellini Bake with Marinara
Ingredients
- For the Tortellini Bake:
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 24 oz (680 g) marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained (optional for extra texture)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 20 oz (about 5 cups) cheese tortellini, refrigerated or frozen
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Optional Add-Ins:
- 1 cup baby spinach
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese (for extra creaminess)
- 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1/2 cup bell peppers, diced
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the ground beef until fully cooked.
- Add onions and cook until softened. Stir in garlic until fragrant.
- Season the beef mixture with Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Add marinara sauce and diced tomatoes. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Cook tortellini according to package instructions until al dente, then drain.
- Combine tortellini with the meat sauce mixture.
- Transfer everything to a baking dish and top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until bubbling and golden.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.