Tortellini cheese casserole It's so easy to prepare. Just cook ground beef, mix ingredients together, then dump and bake. It's cheap to make and fresh pasta is flavorful and filling for hungry families.
Baked Tortellini Casserole Overview
This baked tortellini casserole is so yummy and satisfying. The flavors are similar to spaghetti with ground beef but with lots of gooey delicious cheese. However, this is easier to make because you don’t have to cook the tortellini pasta first!
This recipe is made in two stages. First, the ground beef is cooked with chopped onion and garlic. Next, all the ingredients are mixed together and dumped into a casserole dish to bake for 30 minutes.
Recipe Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 18 oz fresh uncooked tortellini pasta - Grab two packs of fresh tortellini or ravioli-style pasta from the grocery store. It can be any flavor. I used cheese tortellini.
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese - divided in half
- 21 oz jar of marinara sauce - about 3 cups
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
How To Make This Tortellini Cheese Casserole
Full ingredients and instructions are also in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.
STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 375F. Heat a frying pan over medium high heat. Once hot, add 1 Tbsp olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves and ½ cup chopped onion. Cook until onion turns translucent, about 1-2 minutes.
STEP 2: Add 1 lb lean ground beef and break apart using the tip of a wood spatula. Cook until ground beef turns brown and is no longer pink. Use a folded paper towel to swish around with spatula and soak up any excess grease.
STEP 3: Now add 1 cup sliced cherry tomatoes and cook for 1 minute to soften. Remove the pan from heat and scoop into a large bowl (see steps below).
STEP 4: In a large bowl, add the cooked ground beef mixture, 18 oz uncooked tortellini pasta, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Mix together.
STEP 5: Next, add the 21 oz jar of marinara sauce on top an mix everything together.
STEP 6: Pour the mixture into a baking dish and spread into an even layer using a spatula. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and ¼ cup parmesan cheese on top.
STEP 7: Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Then remove the foil and broil an additional 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Tips
- This recipe is easy to adapt. Any fresh pasta that's tortellini or ravioli in any flavor will work.
- Marinara sauce can be substituted with alfredo sauce, cream of mushroom soup, or pasta sauce.
- Add different veggies like bell peppers, spinach, frozen peas or broccoli.
- Lightly grease the casserole dish before adding pasta to prevent sticking.
How To Store Leftovers
Leftover tortellini casserole can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Leftovers can be reheated in the oven, under the broiler, or reheated in the microwave.
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Baked Tortellini Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 18 oz fresh tortellini pasta - uncooked
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese - divided in half
- 21 oz jar of marinara sauce - about 3 cups
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Heat a frying pan over medium high heat. Once hot, add 1 Tbsp olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves and ½ cup chopped onion. Cook until onion turns translucent, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add 1 lb lean ground beef and break apart using the tip of a wood spatula. Cook until ground beef turns brown and is no longer pink. Use a folded paper towel to swish around with spatula and soak up any excess grease.
- Now add 1 cup sliced cherry tomatoes and cook for 1 minute to soften. Remove the pan from heat and scoop into a large bowl (see steps below).
- In a large bowl, add the cooked ground beef mixture, 18 oz uncooked tortellini pasta, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Mix together.
- Next, add the 21 oz jar of marinara sauce on top an mix everything together.
- Pour the mixture into a baking dish and spread into an even layer using a spatula. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and ¼ cup parmesan cheese on top.
- Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Then remove the foil and broil an additional 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Info
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and is per serving.
Sharon Stiger says
My picky husband loved it
Am making it tonight