Beef and Cheese Tortellini Bake
This is the kind of dinner that makes you feel like you’ve got your life together—even if the day was pure chaos. A bubbling pan of beef and cheese tortellini bake is cozy in the best way: hearty, saucy, and blanketed with melted cheese that turns golden at the edges. The whole kitchen smells like garlic and Italian seasoning, and when you scoop into it, you get that soft tortellini bite tucked into a creamy tomato sauce… with little pockets of beef in every forkful.
It’s perfect for chilly evenings, busy weeknights when you want leftovers, or anytime you need a “feed everyone without complaints” kind of meal. Honestly, it’s comfort food that doesn’t ask too much of you—and that’s my favorite kind.
Ingredients
20 ounces cheese tortellini (fresh or refrigerated)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon black pepper
¾ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
2 cups marinara sauce
½ cup heavy cream
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat and prep.
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set it nearby—you’ll thank yourself later.Cook the tortellini.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the cheese tortellini just until al dente (you want it tender, but not too soft). Drain and set aside.Brown the beef.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as you go. If there’s a lot of grease, carefully drain it off.Add the onion and garlic.
Stir in the diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes, until it softens and turns a little glossy. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds—just until it smells amazing.Build the sauce.
Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Pour in the marinara sauce and heavy cream, then stir until everything looks silky and well mixed. Let it simmer for 3–4 minutes to bring the flavors together.Toss it all together.
Add the cooked tortellini to the skillet and gently toss until every piece is coated in that creamy beefy sauce.Assemble the bake.
Pour the mixture into your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan evenly over the top. (This is the part where it starts to feel like a restaurant meal.)Bake until bubbly.
Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake another 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and lightly golden in spots.Rest, garnish, serve.
Let it sit for 5 minutes before digging in. Sprinkle with chopped parsley or basil and serve warm.
Presentation
For that extra cozy “straight-from-the-oven” charm, bring the baking dish right to the table and serve it family-style. A little shower of fresh basil or parsley adds color and makes the whole thing look brighter. If you want to go a step further, add a small bowl of grated Parmesan on the side (because someone always wants more). This bake also looks beautiful with a simple green salad and some crusty bread for scooping up any leftover sauce.
Nutritional Information:
⏰ Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 35 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes
🔥 Kcal: ~520 kcal per serving
🍽️ Servings: 6 servings
Conclusion
If you love a meal that’s warm, filling, and basically guaranteed to make everyone happy, this beef and cheese tortellini bake is it. It’s creamy, cheesy, and comforting without being complicated—and the leftovers reheat like a dream. Put this on your “make soon” list for the next night you want something easy, hearty, and completely satisfying.