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Cheesy Baked Tortellini Casserole Recipe

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3.8 from 88 reviews

This Cheesy Baked Tortellini Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish combining ground beef, fresh cheese tortellini, and a flavorful marinara sauce, all topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a family dinner, it offers a delicious blend of Italian-inspired flavors baked to perfection with a creamy, cheesy finish.

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Meat & Protein

  • 1 pound ground beef

Herbs & Seasonings

  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon dried parsley
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Sauce & Dairy

  • 24 ounces marinara sauce
  • 24 ounces fresh refrigerated cheese tortellini
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 2 ounces cream cheese

Garnish

  • Fresh minced parsley or basil for garnish

Instructions

  1. Brown the beef: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until it is fully browned and there is no pink remaining. Drain off as much grease as possible to keep the casserole from being too oily.
  2. Add the sauce and seasonings: Stir in the marinara sauce along with oregano, basil, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook the mixture for about one minute to allow the flavors to meld.
  3. Mix in tortellini and cheeses: Add the fresh cheese tortellini, cream cheese, and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella into the skillet. Stir continuously until the cream cheese has completely melted and the sauce is creamy and well combined.
  4. Transfer to baking dish: Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. If your skillet is oven-safe, you can bake it directly in there to reduce cleanup.
  5. Add topping and cover: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella evenly over the top. Cover the casserole with non-stick aluminum foil. If you don’t have non-stick foil, use toothpicks to tent the foil so it doesn’t stick to the cheese.
  6. Bake initially: Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 to 35 minutes, allowing the casserole to meld and heat through.
  7. Brown the cheese topping: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5 to 10 minutes to brown and bubble the mozzarella topping beautifully.
  8. Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with freshly minced parsley or basil if desired, and serve hot for a cheesy, flavorful meal.

Notes

  • This dish can be made ahead and refrigerated before baking. Increase baking time slightly if baking from cold.
  • Using fresh refrigerated tortellini ensures a tender texture; frozen tortellini may require adjustment in cooking time.
  • For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.
  • If you do not have cream cheese, ricotta cheese can be used as a substitute but may slightly change the texture.
  • To make the casserole spicier, add red pepper flakes with the seasonings.
  • Author: Adeline
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Find it online: https://flavorhug.com/cheesy-baked-tortellini-casserole-recipe/