Description
A comforting and flavorful Cheese Tortellini with Meat Sauce recipe featuring ground beef simmered in a rich marinara cream sauce, combined with tender cheese tortellini and topped with melted mozzarella and optional Parmesan and fresh parsley for garnish. Perfect for a hearty family dinner served alongside a fresh salad and garlic bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1/3 cup (1/2 a diced) Onion
- 1 teaspoon minced Garlic
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 pound Ground Beef
- 24 ounce jar Marinara Sauce
- 1/3 cup Half-n-Half or Heavy Cream
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Pasta
- 16 ounce bag Frozen Cheese Tortellini
Topping and Garnish
- 1/2 cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
- Optional: Shaved Parmesan Cheese
- Optional: Fresh Parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil and sauté the diced onions until they become translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until the beef is evenly browned and no longer pink, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once browned, drain excess fat from the pan.
- Add Seasoning and Marinara Sauce: Stir in the Italian seasoning and pour the entire jar of marinara sauce into the skillet with the beef mixture. Mix well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Incorporate Cream: Pour 1/3 cup half-n-half or heavy cream into the empty marinara sauce jar, replace the lid, and shake well to combine. Pour this creamy mixture back into the skillet with the meat sauce, stirring to create a rich, smooth sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook Tortellini: Prepare the frozen cheese tortellini according to the package instructions, usually boiling for 3-5 minutes until tender. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked tortellini directly into the skillet with the meat sauce.
- Combine and Heat Through: Gently stir the tortellini into the meat sauce until well coated and heated through for an additional 1-2 minutes over medium heat.
- Top with Cheese and Garnish: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the tortellini and sauce mixture. Optionally, garnish with shaved Parmesan cheese and freshly chopped parsley to add extra flavor and visual appeal.
- Serve: Serve the Cheese Tortellini with Meat Sauce hot, alongside a fresh salad and garlic bread for a complete, satisfying meal. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute half-n-half with heavy cream for a richer sauce or use milk for a lighter version.
- Drain excess fat from the cooked beef to avoid greasy sauce.
- The recipe serves 4 to 6 people depending on portion size.
- Add fresh basil or oregano if Italian seasoning is unavailable to enhance flavor.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove or microwave.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based meat alternatives and use a vegetarian marinara sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups (approximate)
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 710 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: Cheese Tortellini, Meat Sauce, Italian Pasta, Comfort Food, Ground Beef Pasta, Cheese Tortellini Dinner
