Name: Baked Tortellini Casserole
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
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

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.

A glass casserole dish with baked tortellini covered in cheese

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

Four images grouped together of a frying pan. First two are chopped onion with minced garlic and olive oil. Second two are chopped onion and raw ground beef, then cooked beef.

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.

Two images of cherry tomatoes, ground beef and onion in a frying pan.

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).

Four images of a white bowl with tortellini, ground beef, tomatoes, and sauce. All in various stages of mixing.

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.

Four images of a glass casserole dish with ground beef tortellini mixture in various stages, including covered with cheese, covered with foil and then fully baked.

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.

A plate with baked tortellini, ground beef, cheese and sauce. Small bowls of ingredients and a glass casserole dish with baked tortellini recipe inside.

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.