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Partially served tortellini casserole showing the meat sauce, melted cheese, and wooden spoon after scooping.
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Baked Tortellini with Meat Sauce

Prep Time13 minutes
Cook Time32 minutes
Resting Time5 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: baked tortellini, baked tortellini with meat sauce
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 221kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 jar marinara sauce 24 ounces
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper

Optional Garnishes:

  • grated Parmesan
  • chopped fresh basil

Instructions

  • Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • Cook the beef: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat for about 6–8 minutes. Carefully drain excess grease.
  • Combine: Transfer the cooked beef to the prepared baking dish. Add the marinara sauce, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and pepper. Stir to combine. Add the uncooked tortellini and stir until evenly coated. Stir in 1 cup of the mozzarella.
  • Bake covered: Cover tightly with foil and bake for 20–25 minutes, until the tortellini is tender and the sauce is bubbly.
  • Add cheese: Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup mozzarella over the top, and bake uncovered for an additional 5–7 minutes until the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
  • Rest and serve: Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Top with grated Parmesan and fresh basil if desired.

Notes

Cover with foil: Covering the pan traps steam so the tortellini cooks through and the sauce stays moist. The foil comes off at the end so the mozzarella can melt and brown properly.
Make ahead: Assemble the dish up to 24 hours in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Bake as directed, adding 5–10 extra minutes since it will be cold going in.
Refrigerator storage: Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or covered in a 350°F oven until warmed through.
Freezer storage: Cool completely, then cover tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Nutrition

Calories: 221kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 588mg | Potassium: 547mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 494IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 3mg