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Baked Cheese Tortellini with Meat Sauce Recipe

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4.1 from 7 reviews

A hearty and comforting baked cheese tortellini dish, layered with a savory ground beef meat sauce seasoned with herbs and spices, then topped with melted mozzarella cheese and baked to golden perfection.

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Meat Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 pound ground beef (85% lean)
  • 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Pasta

  • 18 ounces refrigerated cheese tortellini

Topping

  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375˚F (190˚C) to prepare for baking the tortellini later.
  2. Sauté Onions: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and chopped onions. Cook for 7-10 minutes until the onions soften and begin to caramelize, enhancing their natural sweetness.
  3. Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet with the onions. Cook for about 10 minutes until the meat is fully browned and cooked through, breaking it up as it cooks.
  4. Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Pour in the crushed tomatoes along with salt, black pepper, dried oregano, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes. Reduce the heat to low and simmer the sauce for about 20 minutes to develop rich flavors.
  5. Cook Tortellini: While the sauce simmers, bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the refrigerated cheese tortellini and cook for about 3 minutes until al dente.
  6. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Drain the tortellini and add them directly into the meat sauce. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
  7. Assemble and Bake: Transfer the tortellini and meat sauce mixture into a 13×9-inch baking pan. Sprinkle grated mozzarella cheese over the top. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is melted, golden, and slightly browned.

Notes

  • Use refrigerated tortellini for convenience and optimal texture.
  • Adjust the red pepper flakes to your heat preference or omit for a milder dish.
  • Make sure to cook the tortellini al dente as they will continue to cook in the oven.
  • For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based meat or additional vegetables.
  • Let the dish rest for 5 minutes after baking to set before serving.
  • Author: Daisy
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Find it online: https://dishiary.com/baked-cheese-tortellini-with-meat-sauce-recipe/