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Cheesy Baked Tortellini Casserole With Meat Sauce

A comforting and delicious casserole made with cheese-filled tortellini, savory meat sauce, and gooey melted cheese, perfect for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 550
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound cheese-filled tortellini (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 pound ground beef or turkey (substitute with your preferred protein)
  • 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • to taste Salt and pepper
  • for garnish Fresh basil Optional

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the tortellini according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or turkey, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
  4. Stir in the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Allow it to simmer for about 5 minutes.
  5. In a separate bowl, mix the ricotta cheese with salt and pepper.
Assembly and Baking
  1. In a baking dish, layer half the tortellini, topped with half of the meat sauce, followed by dollops of the ricotta mixture. Sprinkle with one cup of mozzarella cheese.
  2. Repeat the layers, finishing with the remaining meat sauce and mozzarella on top.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, then bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Serving
  1. Garnish with fresh basil if desired, serve hot, and enjoy!

Notes

For a complete meal, pair with a fresh salad or garlic bread. Allowing the casserole to rest for a few minutes before serving helps the layers set.