Tortellini Casserole
Tortellini Casserole is a cheesy & beefy pasta casserole that's so simple to make and kids love it! Ground beef and cheese tortellini are baked in a spaghetti seasoned tomato beef broth base. It's a family favorite dinner.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 jar (24 oz) pasta sauce
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Spray a 9x13 casserole baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside for later.
- Cook the tortellini pasta, in a pot of salted water, according to package directions for al dente. When pasta is done, drain it in a colander but do not rinse it. Set it aside for later. * Tip - To avoid sticking you can drizzle just a touch of olive oil over top the tortellini while it sits.16 ounces refrigerated cheese tortellini
- In a large skillet pan, over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and finely diced onion. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until slightly softened.2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 1 small onion
- Add the ground beef and kosher salt. Continue cooking and crumbling the beef until it's no longer pink. Drain the excess grease from the pan.1 pound ground beef, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Stir in the pasta sauce, beef broth, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder. Bring to a low boil and let it simmer for about 5 minutes. Reduce heat if needed to avoid splattering.1 jar (24 oz) pasta sauce, 1/2 cup beef broth, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Add the cooked tortellini pasta into the ground beef skillet and stir to combine.
- Assemble The Casserole - Spread half of the beef tortellini mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan- Sprinkle half of the cheese over top- Spread the remaining tortellini mixture on top of the cheese- The final layer is the remaining shredded cheese2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Bake for 25-35 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are golden brown. * If wanted, cover the dish with tin foil to avoid the crispy bits of tortellini and cheese on top. Uncover the casserole for the last 5-10 of the bake time.
- Remove the pan from the oven and allow it cool for about 5 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
Beef Broth : Use chicken broth, stock, or reserve some of the tortellini pasta water (after it's cooked) and use it in place of the beef broth. You might not use all the broth, it just really depends on how thin or thick you want the sauce.
Make It Ahead of Time : If you know the day will be busy, prepare the casserole in the morning and then cover it (unbaked) tightly with tin foil and put it in the fridge all day. You can make this casserole up to 24 hours in advance and leave it in the fridge until you're ready to use it.
Al Dente Tortellini : Normally, I dislike cooking pasta to al dente because it's too chewy for my family. But with this recipe, the tortellini does need to be cooked to al dente so it doesn't fall apart and overcook in the oven.
Make It Spicy! : Add some red pepper chili flakes, chipotle powder, or chili powder in with the other dried seasonings. You could also use a hot & spicy pasta sauce. Shredded pepper jack cheese is another great spicier option for this casserole.
Cheese : Use any variety of cheese you want. Mozzarella, sliced provolone, sliced muenster cheese or havarti cheese, shredded Italian cheese blend, etc.
Tortellini : Use cheese tortellini, spinach and cheese filled tortellini, or a beef tortellini.
Nutrition
Calories: 419kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 1064mg | Potassium: 487mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 562IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 249mg | Iron: 4mg
Did You Make This Recipe?
I'd love to see it! You can share it with me on @happy.familyrecipes and follow on Pinterest @happyfamilyrecipes or Facebook @happyfamilyrecipes for more!