In today’s fast-paced world, finding time to prepare a wholesome dinner that pleases everyone can be a challenge. Enter this crowd-pleasing Cheesy Beef Tortellini Bake – a perfect solution for busy families looking to enjoy a hearty, home-cooked meal without spending hours in the kitchen. This budget-friendly casserole combines the comfort of Italian-American cuisine with the convenience of modern cooking, transforming basic pantry staples into something special.
What sets this recipe apart is its thoughtful layering technique, reminiscent of lasagna but with half the effort. The ground beef sauce, seasoned with classic Italian herbs like oregano, thyme, and fresh basil, creates a rich foundation that complements the cheese-filled pasta perfectly. As the casserole bakes, the melted mozzarella creates those coveted stretchy strings that kids (and adults) can’t resist, while the homemade meat sauce infuses every bite with flavor.
For busy parents, this recipe hits all the right notes: it’s quick to assemble, uses affordable ingredients, and creates minimal dishes. The prep work is straightforward – while the beef sauce simmers, you can cook the tortellini and grate the cheese. Best of all, this recipe yields enough to feed 6-8 people generously, making it perfect for family dinners with potential leftovers for lunch the next day. Serve it with a simple green salad, and you’ve got a complete meal that feels both special and satisfying.
PrintCheesy Beef Tortellini Bake That Your Family Will Love
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
Ingredients
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- 1 teaspoon olive oil
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- 1 pound mixed ground meat (1/2 lb ground beef + 1/2 lb ground pork, or ground turkey)
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- Salt and pepper, to taste
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- 1 cup onion, chopped
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- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
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- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
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- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
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- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
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- 1 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes
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- 1/4 cup dried basil
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- 2 cups mixed shredded cheese (half mozzarella, half cheddar)
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- 1 pound frozen cheese tortellini
Instructions
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- Preheat oven to 375ºF. Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
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- Heat oil in a large, heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Brown the ground meat thoroughly, breaking it up into small pieces, about 8-10 minutes.
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- Drain excess fat from meat using a colander.
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- Return the pan to heat, and add onions to the drained meat. Cook until onions are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, and cook 1 minute more.
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- Add dried herbs and crushed tomatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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- Meanwhile, cook tortellini according to package directions but undercook by 1 minute. Drain well.
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- Spread 1 cup meat sauce in the bottom of greased casserole dish. Layer half the tortellini, top with 3/4 cup cheese, add dried basil, and spread half the remaining sauce. Repeat layers. Top with remaining cheese.
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- Cover with foil and bake 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake 5-10 minutes more until cheese is melted and bubbly.
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- Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.