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A quick and comforting baked tortellini casserole with a rich meat marinara sauce and melty cheese topping, perfect for weeknight dinners and feeding a crowd.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 cups marinara sauce (one 24 oz. jar)
  • 2 (9 ounce) packages uncooked refrigerated cheese tortellini
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F and place the rack in the upper third.
  2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. Sauté chopped onion for 4–5 minutes until soft and fragrant.
  4. Add ground beef and minced garlic, break up the meat, and cook until browned, about 8–10 minutes; drain excess fat if needed.
  5. Transfer browned meat mixture to a casserole dish.
  6. Pour in marinara sauce and add refrigerated cheese tortellini (if using dried tortellini, cook according to package first).
  7. Season with salt and pepper, toss gently to coat the tortellini, and spread mixture evenly in the dish.
  8. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and cheddar evenly over the top.
  9. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
  10. If using frozen tortellini, add about 10 minutes to the baking time.
  11. Bake 35–40 minutes, until the tortellini are tender, the sauce is bubbling, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  12. Remove the foil and broil a few minutes, watching closely, until the cheese is golden and browned to your liking.

Notes

This casserole can be made ahead through step 5, then refrigerated or frozen until baking., Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave., Broiling at the end is optional but recommended for a golden cheese crust., You can swap ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage, and change the sauce or cheese to your preference., Vegetarian option is possible by omitting meat and adding sautéed vegetables or plant-based meat alternatives., Frozen tortellini requires an extra 10 minutes of baking time., Do not freeze leftovers after cooking to maintain pasta texture.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://margorecipes.com/baked-tortellini-tomato-meat-sauce/