Description
This Baked Tortellini Casserole is a hearty and comforting Italian-inspired dish featuring tender cheese tortellini baked in a savory tomato and ground beef sauce, topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a family dinner, this casserole combines simple ingredients into a warm, cheesy meal with robust flavors.
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 ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the casserole evenly.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onions and sauté until they become soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Brown Ground Beef: Add the lean ground beef to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Cook until the beef is browned and cooked through, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks.
- Add Tomatoes and Seasoning: Stir in the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce into the cooked beef mixture. Season with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and dried Italian seasoning. Mix well to combine all the flavors.
- Incorporate Tortellini and Cheese: Add the uncooked fresh cheese tortellini and 1 1/2 cups of the freshly grated mozzarella cheese directly into the skillet. Stir gently to coat the tortellini in the sauce.
- Transfer to Casserole Dish: Pour the mixture from the skillet into a casserole dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake the Casserole: Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil to retain moisture. Place it in the preheated oven and bake for about 40 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from the oven, let it rest for a few minutes to set, then serve warm and enjoy your cheesy baked tortellini casserole.
Notes
- Use fresh cheese tortellini for best texture; frozen or dried will alter cooking time and consistency.
- If you prefer a spicier sauce, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when cooking the garlic and onions.
- Feel free to substitute ground beef with ground turkey or Italian sausage for variations in flavor.
- Ensure the casserole dish is covered tightly with foil to prevent the cheese from drying out during baking.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
