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Let me share my family's favorite Beef and Cheese Tortellini Bake with you. I created this recipe on a cold winter evening and it's become our most requested comfort meal. The way the cheese filled pasta mingles with rich meat sauce and gooey mozzarella makes everyone come running to the kitchen.
Why We Can't Get Enough
This dish has everything we crave on busy nights warm hearty flavors beautiful melted cheese and those perfect little pasta pockets filled with more cheese. I love that I can pull it together in one pan and it makes everyone at my table happy even my pickiest eaters.
What You'll Need
- Olive Oil: Just a teaspoon to get things started.
- Ground Beef: One pound lean beef gives us that rich base.
- Salt and Pepper: Season as you like I'm generous with both.
- Onion: Half cup chopped it adds such lovely flavor.
- Garlic: One clove minced makes the kitchen smell amazing.
- Oregano: A teaspoon dried brings that Italian warmth.
- Thyme: Another teaspoon dried adds earthiness.
- Parsley: Two teaspoons dried gives color and fresh notes.
- Crushed Tomatoes: One big 28 oz can makes our sauce.
- Fresh Basil: Quarter cup sliced brightens everything up.
- Mozzarella: Two cups shredded creates that irresistible top.
- Cheese Tortellini: About 1¼ pounds cooked is perfect.
Let's Make It Together
- First Things First
- Get your oven warming to 375°F while we cook everything else.
- Start The Beef
- Heat your olive oil in a big skillet brown the beef with salt and pepper breaking it up as it cooks.
- Add The Aromatics
- Toss in your onion and garlic cook until they're soft and your kitchen smells wonderful.
- Season And Simmer
- Sprinkle in oregano thyme and parsley let them warm up then pour in those tomatoes. Let everything bubble gently for about 15 minutes.
- Fresh Touches
- Stir in that beautiful fresh basil take it off the heat.
- Mix It Up
- In a big bowl toss your cooked tortellini with all that lovely sauce.
- Into The Oven
- Pour everything into a greased baking dish cover with mozzarella and bake about 25 minutes until it's bubbling and golden.
- Take A Moment
- Let it rest a few minutes before serving it'll be worth the wait.
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My Secret Tips
Get the best tortellini and mozzarella you can find they really make the dish shine. Let your sauce simmer until it's rich and thick. Don't overcook the pasta before baking it'll keep cooking in the oven.
Keeping Leftovers Fresh
Pop any extras in a sealed container they'll stay good in the fridge for three days. When you're ready for more warm it in the oven at 350°F until it's hot and bubbly again or zap individual portions in the microwave.
Perfect Pairings
We love this with crusty garlic bread and a big green salad. Sometimes I roast some veggies on the side or whip up a light soup to start. It's so versatile you can pair it with almost anything.
Getting Ahead
You can prep everything ahead cover it up and pop it in the fridge for tomorrow. Just add 5 or 10 minutes to the baking time since it'll be cold from the fridge.
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Freezer Tips
This dish is perfect for stocking your freezer. Just assemble everything but don't bake it wrap it up tight and freeze for up to 3 months. When you're ready let it thaw overnight in the fridge then bake adding about 15 extra minutes.
Make It Your Own
Feel free to play around with this recipe. Turkey or Italian sausage work beautifully instead of beef. Sometimes I add handfuls of spinach or some mushrooms. Try different cheeses too provolone or fontina are amazing on top.
Why Everyone Loves It
There's something about this bake that brings everyone to the table smiling. Maybe it's the gooey cheese or those perfect little pasta pockets but it never fails to make dinner special. It's my go to when I'm feeding a crowd.
Fresh Herbs Make Magic
Fresh basil and parsley really bring this dish to life. If you can't find fresh dried will work but there's nothing like the brightness fresh herbs bring. I love sprinkling extra on top right before serving.
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Cook Once Eat Twice
I often make two of these at once one for dinner and one for the freezer. It takes barely any extra time and you'll thank yourself later when you need a quick homemade meal.
Perfect For Any Time
Whether it's Tuesday night dinner or a holiday gathering this bake fits right in. It's fancy enough for company but easy enough for everyday. That's why it's always in my recipe rotation.
The Finishing Touch
Right before serving I love adding a shower of fresh Parmesan and some torn basil leaves. Bringing the bubbling dish straight to the table always gets oohs and aahs especially in my favorite blue baking dish.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I make this ahead of time?
You can prepare the meat sauce and cook the tortellini ahead of time. Assemble and bake just before serving for the best results.
- → What can I serve with this pasta bake?
A simple green salad and garlic bread make perfect sides. You could also serve it with roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
- → Can I use different types of tortellini?
Any variety of tortellini works well here. Try spinach or meat-filled tortellini for a different twist on the recipe.
- → How do I store leftovers?
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until hot throughout.
- → Can I freeze this dish?
You can freeze it before baking. Cover well and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
Conclusion
A satisfying and easy-to-prepare pasta dish featuring tortellini, ground beef, and melted cheese. Perfect for a comforting family dinner that combines classic flavors and simple ingredients.