Description
Garlic parmesan beef tortellini bake brings comfort and flavor to weeknight dinners with its cheesy, hearty layers. Melted cheese, tender beef, and herb-infused pasta create a satisfying meal you will devour with pure culinary delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
- 1 package (20 ounces) refrigerated cheese tortellini
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
Seasonings and Sauce:
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375°F and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Place ground beef in a large skillet and cook over medium heat, breaking into crumbly pieces until completely browned. Thoroughly drain any accumulated fat.
- Incorporate minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper into the meat, sautéing for 1-2 minutes to release aromatic flavors.
- Pour marinara sauce into the skillet, stirring to combine with the seasoned beef. Allow the mixture to gently simmer for approximately 5 minutes, developing rich flavors.
- In a separate small pan, gently warm heavy cream over low heat. Gradually whisk in grated Parmesan cheese until the mixture becomes smooth and fully integrated.
- Merge the creamy Parmesan mixture with the marinara-beef sauce, stirring carefully to create a cohesive, velvety sauce.
- Cook tortellini according to package directions, ensuring they are perfectly al dente. Drain thoroughly and fold into the sauce, coating each pasta pocket delicately.
- Transfer the sauced tortellini into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly. Generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese across the top.
- Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 20 minutes, watching for a bubbly, golden-brown surface.
- Remove from oven and garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving hot.
Notes
- Perfectly browning beef requires high heat and avoiding overcrowding the pan, allowing meat to develop a golden crust without steaming.
- Consider using lean ground beef or ground turkey for a healthier version that maintains similar flavor profiles and protein content.
- Fresh tortellini works best, but high-quality frozen varieties can be excellent time-saving alternatives with minimal taste compromise.
- Customize cheese blend by mixing different Italian cheeses like provolone or Romano for enhanced depth and complexity of flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 575
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg