Best 2 Baked Tortellini With Meat Sauce Recipes

Baked Tortellini with Meat Sauce is an incredibly flavorful and hearty dish combining tender tortellini, a rich and savory meat sauce, melty cheese, and fresh herbs. Each bite offers a delightful symphony of textures and flavors: the tender tortellini, the rich and savory meat sauce, the gooey melted cheese, and the aromatic freshness of herbs. With three variations provided in the article - a classic version, a vegetarian alternative, and a slow-cooker friendly recipe - you can easily customize this dish to your dietary preferences and cooking style.

The classic baked tortellini with meat sauce is a meat lover's paradise, featuring juicy ground beef, Italian sausage, and a combination of diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and red wine that create an irresistible depth of flavor. The vegetarian version offers a lighter yet equally satisfying option, using a combination of mushrooms, zucchini, bell peppers, and spinach in a creamy tomato sauce. And for those who prefer slow-cooker convenience, the slow-cooker version delivers tender and flavorful tortellini with minimal effort, allowing you to enjoy a delightful meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

BEEF AND CHEESE TORTELLINI BAKE RECIPE BY TASTY

Beef and Cheese Tortellini Bake Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: olive oil, ground beef, salt, pepper, onion, garlic, dried oregano, dried thyme, dried parsley, crushed tomato, fresh basil, shredded mozzarella cheese, cheese tortellini

Provided by Camille Bergerson

Categories Dinner

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

1 teaspoon olive oil
1 lb ground beef
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
½ cup onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 teaspoons dried parsley
28 oz crushed tomato, 1 can
¼ cup fresh basil, sliced
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 ¼ lb cheese tortellini, cooked and drained

Steps:

Preheat oven to 375ºF (190ºC).
Add a teaspoon of olive oil to a heavy saucepan and brown the beef over medium-high heat. Season with salt and pepper.
Mix in the dried herbs. Move beef to one side of the hot pan and add in onions. Stir to soften, then add garlic.
Mix in crushed tomatoes. Bring to a boil and cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and season with salt and pepper as necessary.
Remove from heat.
Spoon a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of a casserole dish. Layer as follows: tortellini, cheese, basil, sauce, tortellini, cheese, basil, sauce, and cheese.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbling.
Cool for several minutes and serve.
Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 616 calories, Carbohydrate 46 grams, Fat 29 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 41 grams, Sugar 8 grams

CHEESE TORTELLINI WITH MEAT SAUCE

Cheese Tortellini With Meat Sauce image

Provided by Pierre Franey

Categories dinner, easy, pastas, main course

Time 40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

1/2 pound fresh mushrooms
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground very lean chuck
Salt to taste if desired
Freshly ground pepper to taste
1 tablespoon finely minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
3 cups crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup fresh or canned beef broth
1 pound fresh or frozen cheese tortellini (or an equal amount of another pasta)
2 tablespoons butter
Grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

Cut the mushrooms into thin slices. There should be about 2 cups.
Heat the oil in a skillet and add the ground meat. Cook, chopping down with the back of a heavy metal spoon to break up any lumps in the meat. Cook until the meat has lost its raw look.
Add the mushrooms, salt and pepper and cook, stirring, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and oregano.
Crushed tomatoes are available in cans. If whole tomatoes are used, crush them using a food processor or electric blender, if desired. Add the tomatoes to the meat and mushroom mixture. Add broth. Cook, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes.
Cook the tortellini according to package directions, about 8 minutes. Drain but reserve one cup of the cooking liquid. Combine the cooked tortellini with the meat sauce, the reserved cup of cooking liquid and the butter. Toss to blend. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese on the side.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 656, UnsaturatedFat 11 grams, Carbohydrate 70 grams, Fat 24 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 45 grams, SaturatedFat 11 grams, Sodium 1184 milligrams, Sugar 10 grams, TransFat 1 gram

Tips:

Use store-bought or homemade meat sauce: If you're short on time, store-bought meat sauce can be a great option. But if you have the time, making your own meat sauce from scratch is definitely worth it.
Use a variety of vegetables: Don't be afraid to add some extra vegetables to your tortellini bake. Some good options include spinach, bell peppers, and mushrooms.
Season the meat sauce well: Make sure to season your meat sauce with a variety of herbs and spices. Some good options include garlic, basil, oregano, and thyme.
Don't overcook the tortellini: Tortellini cooks quickly, so be careful not to overcook it. Otherwise, it will become tough and chewy.
Serve immediately: Baked tortellini is best served immediately after it's cooked. This will help to prevent the tortellini from becoming soggy.

Conclusion:

Baked tortellini with meat sauce is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that's perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. It's also a great way to use up leftover meat sauce. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give this baked tortellini recipe a try.