Irresistible Beefy Tortellini Bake – Cheesy, Hearty & Perfect for Cozy Nights

Introduction

Nothing says comfort like a bubbling casserole fresh from the oven, and this Irresistible Beefy Tortellini Bake hits all the right notes with its chewy pasta, savory beef, and a blanket of golden, melted cheese. It’s a meal designed for busy weeknights or lazy weekends when all you crave is a hearty, flavorful dish to gather around the table.

What Makes This Beefy Tortellini Bake a Must-Try

This recipe is a crowd-pleaser because it transforms simple ingredients into a showstopping meal. Cheese-stuffed tortellini mingle with a seasoned beef and tomato sauce, all under a gooey layer of melted mozzarella and parmesan. The result? A cheesy, satisfying bake that’s ready in under an hour, yet tastes like it simmered all day.

Choosing the Right Ingredients for Flavor

Fresh or refrigerated cheese tortellini add a chewy, creamy bite. The beef is browned with onion and garlic for extra richness, and jarred marinara sauce keeps things easy but full of slow-cooked flavor. Mix in plenty of Italian seasoning and your choice of mozzarella, provolone, or an Italian blend cheese for that ideal oozy finish.

Building Layers for the Perfect Bake

Start by browning your beef, then toss in onions and garlic until fragrant. Add marinara and seasoning, then fold in cooked tortellini. Assembling is as easy as layering the beefy tortellini with generous handfuls of cheese, repeating until your dish is full. Baking everything together lets the juices meld and the cheese form a golden, bubbling crust.

Serving Suggestions: Enjoying Your Beefy Tortellini Bake

Serve this bake straight from the oven with a crisp green salad and some warm, crusty bread for mopping up the sauce. It’s equally great as leftovers and reheats beautifully—making it a perfect make-ahead meal for busy schedules.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This dish serves about 6 hearty portions. Each serving comes in around 480–550 calories, depending on cheese and meat choices. It’s a filling, nutritious way to enjoy protein, carbs, and a dose of calcium with minimal meal prep fuss.

Irresistible Beefy Tortellini Bake Recap

Layers of tender tortellini, hearty beef sauce, and gooey cheese create a main dish everyone will look forward to. It’s comfort food at its finest: big flavor, gooey cheese pulls, and incredibly satisfying all around.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
2. Cook tortellini according to package instructions, shaving 2 minutes off the lowest suggested time (they’ll finish in the oven). Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until no longer pink. Drain any excess fat.
4. Add diced onion and cook 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more.
5. Pour in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 2–3 minutes to blend flavors.
6. Fold in the drained tortellini so it’s well coated with sauce.
7. Layer half the beefy tortellini mixture in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle half the mozzarella, parmesan, and provolone (if using) over the top.
8. Repeat with the remaining tortellini and finish with the rest of the cheeses.
9. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 more minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden.
10. Let cool slightly, then garnish with chopped parsley or basil before serving.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Irresistible Beefy Tortellini Bake is ideal for weekly dinner planning—it freezes well, reheats perfectly, and is sure to become a staple in your rotation. Save and schedule this recipe to organize your week and generate a smart, consolidated shopping list for all your planned meals.

Planning Benefits:

• Calculates total ingredient needs across all recipes
• Sorts shopping lists by grocery store section for streamlined trips
• Flags overlapping ingredients—buy just what you need!
• Simplifies weekly meal prep so you eat better with less stress

Pro tip: When scheduling multiple dinners like this tortellini bake and, say, a chili night, the shopping list will add up your ground beef, onions, and cheese for the week—no more overbuying or forgetting what you need.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes