Cheesy Beef Tortellini Bake (Printable Version)
Baked tortellini with beef, cheese, and herbed tomato sauce delivers rich, comforting flavors for busy nights.
# Ingredients:
→ Meat
01 -
450 g lean ground beef
→ Pasta
02 -
570 g cheese tortellini, cooked
→ Dairy
03 -
2 cups (200 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
→ Vegetables and Herbs
04 -
120 ml onion, finely diced
05 -
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
06 -
15 g fresh basil, sliced into ribbons
07 -
2 tsp dried parsley
08 -
1 tsp dried thyme
09 -
1 tsp dried oregano
→ Canned Goods
10 -
800 g crushed tomatoes (1 large can)
→ Oils and Seasonings
11 -
1 tsp olive oil
12 -
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# Steps:
01 -
Set the oven temperature to 190°C (375°F) to prepare for baking.
02 -
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned, breaking apart the meat as it cooks.
03 -
Add diced onion and chopped garlic to the browned beef and cook until softened and fragrant.
04 -
Stir in dried oregano, thyme, and parsley, then pour in crushed tomatoes. Reduce heat and simmer gently for 15 minutes to thicken the sauce.
05 -
In a large mixing bowl, gently fold the cooked tortellini with the meat sauce and fresh basil ribbons until well combined.
06 -
Transfer the combined mixture into a greased baking dish, evenly scatter the shredded mozzarella on top, and bake for 25 minutes or until bubbly with a golden crust.
07 -
Allow the baked dish to rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven to set flavors before serving.
# Notes:
01 -
Use high-quality tortellini and mozzarella for best flavor. Let the sauce thicken adequately before combining. Slightly undercook the pasta to prevent over-softening after baking.