Looking for a comforting dinner that feels homemade but doesn’t take hours? This Beefy Tortellini Bake is the perfect mix of cozy comfort food and weeknight convenience. With tender cheese-filled tortellini, rich marinara, savory ground beef, and plenty of melted cheese, it’s a meal the whole family will ask for again and again.
The best part? It uses simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry and fridge. Busy parents love it because it’s quick, hearty, and budget-friendly. Plus, it’s easy to double for leftovers or freezer meals.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 lb ground beef (or substitute ground chicken/turkey)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- ½ cup beef or chicken broth
- 1 package (20 oz) refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)
- Salt & black pepper (to taste)
Cheesy Beefy Tortellini Bake
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Cheesy, hearty, family-friendly pasta bake with ground beef, cheese tortellini, and marinara, topped with melty mozzarella and Parmesan. Perfect weeknight comfort food.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef (or ground chicken/turkey)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion (diced)
3 cloves garlic (minced)
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp paprika
1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
½ cup beef or chicken broth
1 package (20 oz) refrigerated cheese tortellini
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)
Salt & black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook until fragrant.
2. Stir in ground beef, breaking it apart; season with Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook until browned.
3. Pour in marinara sauce and broth. Stir and let simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a greased 9×13 baking dish, layer half the tortellini, half the meat sauce, and half the mozzarella; repeat. Sprinkle Parmesan on top.
5. Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes; remove foil and bake another 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Rest 5 minutes; garnish with basil or parsley and serve.
Notes
Pro Tip: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat or fold in sautéed mushrooms and spinach for extra veggies.
Make-Ahead: Assemble up to 24 hours in advance; cover and refrigerate. Bake straight from the fridge, adding 5–10 minutes.
Freezer-Friendly: Assemble (unbaked), wrap tightly, and freeze up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding ~15 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Pasta, Casserole
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 1000 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Beef
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add onion and garlic; cook until fragrant.
- Stir in ground beef, breaking it apart.
- Season with Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Cook until browned.
Step 2: Build the Sauce
- Pour in marinara sauce and broth.
- Stir and let simmer for 5 minutes.
Step 3: Assemble the Bake
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a greased 9×13 baking dish, layer half the tortellini, half the meat sauce, and half the mozzarella.
- Repeat with remaining tortellini, sauce, and cheese.
- Sprinkle Parmesan on top.
Step 4: Bake
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 5: Serve
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with basil or parsley for freshness.
This recipe is part of our Quick & Easy dinner collection discover more trending recipes here.
Pro Tip
For extra flavor, stir a pinch of red pepper flakes into the marinara sauce or add sautéed mushrooms and spinach for hidden veggies.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Cheesy, hearty, and comforting
- Family-friendly and picky-eater approved
- Easy to make with pantry staples
- Freezer-friendly for meal prep
Storage & Meal Prep
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Assemble the bake (without baking), cover tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 15 minutes to cook time.
- Reheat: Warm individual portions in the microwave or oven until heated through.
This Beefy Tortellini Bake is a weeknight dinner win cheesy, hearty, and stress-free.
FAQ About Beefy Tortellini Bake
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the bake, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
Can I use frozen tortellini?
Yes, but thaw first or add 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
What cheese works best?
Mozzarella is classic, but you can also use an Italian blend or add extra Parmesan for more flavor.
Can I make it vegetarian?
Yes, skip the beef and use sautéed veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach.
