Cheesy Beef Tortellini Bake

If there’s one thing I know about dinnertime at home, it’s this: the second you pull a cheesy, bubbling casserole out of the oven, everyone magically appears at the table. And that’s exactly what happens every time I make this Cheesy Beef Tortellini Bake. It’s rich, hearty, and full of that saucy, cheesy goodness we all crave after a long day.

I originally threw this dish together on a cold weeknight when I had a package of cheese tortellini sitting in the fridge and not a lot of energy to cook. I browned some ground beef, stirred in a jar of marinara, and layered it all with mozzarella—and I swear, dinner disappeared faster than ever. Now it’s on repeat in our house, especially when we want something warm, cozy, and low effort. Trust me, once you try this cheesy pasta bake, it’ll become one of your go-to comfort meals, too.

Let’s get into how easy this is to make.

Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Tortellini Bake

This isn’t just another pasta casserole—it’s the kind that checks all the boxes:

• Quick prep time with ingredients you likely already have on hand.

• Comforting Italian flavors packed into every bite.

• Cheesy, melty topping that brings it all together.

• Family-approved and even better as leftovers.

Whether you need a weeknight dinner that won’t make you stress or a weekend meal to share with guests, this tortellini bake delivers every time.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything you’ll need to get this dish on the table:

• 1 pound ground beef

• 1 small onion, diced

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara or pasta sauce

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• 1 package (20 ounces) cheese tortellini, refrigerated or frozen

• 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)

You can absolutely swap the ground beef for ground turkey or Italian sausage if you want to switch things up!

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or a little olive oil and set it aside. You’ll be layering your baked tortellini in this dish soon.

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Step 2: Cook the Onion and Garlic

In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and sauté the diced onion for about 3 to 4 minutes, or until it becomes soft and translucent. Toss in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until it smells fragrant (this part always makes the kitchen smell amazing).

Step 3: Brown the Beef

Add your ground beef to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook until browned and no longer pink. Season with a bit of salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Once everything’s cooked through, drain any excess fat so the casserole doesn’t end up greasy.

Step 4: Stir in Marinara Sauce

Now it’s time to build those saucy flavors. Pour in your jar of marinara sauce, stir everything together, and let it simmer for 5 minutes. This gives the meat and sauce time to marry all those classic Italian flavors. Once it’s simmered, remove the skillet from heat and set it aside while you prep the tortellini.

Why Tortellini Makes This Casserole Special

What makes this dish stand out is the cheese-filled tortellini. Unlike regular pasta, tortellini brings its own creamy, cheesy surprise inside every bite. It turns this bake into a more indulgent, layered meal without needing a ton of extra ingredients.

And bonus: using refrigerated or frozen tortellini makes this recipe so much faster. No need to make pasta from scratch—just cook it according to the package directions until it’s al dente, and you’re ready to go.

Cheesy Beef Tortellini Bake: Bringing It All Together

Alright, let’s pick up where we left off—your savory beef and marinara sauce is prepped, the tortellini is cooked, and your oven is warming up. Now it’s time to bring everything together in one dish and finish off this comforting Cheesy Beef Tortellini Bake.

What I love most about this part of the recipe is how quickly it all comes together. Once you’ve layered the tortellini and sauce, all that’s left is to pile on the cheese and let the oven do its thing. The result? A bubbling, golden-topped bake that looks and smells like it came straight from an Italian kitchen.

Let’s get this casserole ready for the oven.

Step 5: Combine Tortellini and Sauce

Once your tortellini is cooked to just al dente, drain it well and gently stir it into the skillet with your beef and marinara mixture. You want every piece of tortellini to be fully coated in that rich, savory sauce. Be gentle while stirring so the tortellini doesn’t break apart—you want to keep all that cheesy filling inside.

Step 6: Transfer to Baking Dish

Now pour the entire mixture into your greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Use a spatula or spoon to spread everything out into an even layer. It’s already smelling like dinner, right?

Step 7: Add the Cheese Topping

Here comes the best part—the cheese. Sprinkle 1½ cups of shredded mozzarella evenly over the top of the tortellini mixture, then follow it up with ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese. The mozzarella melts into a gooey, stretchy topping, while the Parmesan adds that salty, golden crust that makes baked pasta irresistible.

Step 8: Bake Until Bubbly

Place your baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and starting to bubble around the edges. If you like your cheese a little extra golden on top, you can turn on the broiler for the last 1–2 minutes, but watch it closely so it doesn’t burn.

Step 9: Let It Rest

Once your tortellini bake is out of the oven, let it sit for about 5 minutes before serving. This helps everything settle, so the sauce isn’t too runny and the portions hold their shape better when you scoop them out.

Helpful Tips & Easy Variations

This recipe is super adaptable, so feel free to tweak it based on what you have on hand or your family’s preferences. Here are a few ways to switch things up:

• Use Italian sausage instead of ground beef for an extra boost of flavor. You can even go half-and-half if you want a mix of savory and spicy.

• Add some chopped spinach or zucchini to the skillet with the onion and garlic to sneak in a few veggies.

• Stir in a few tablespoons of ricotta or cream cheese to the sauce before baking for a creamier texture. It makes the casserole even richer and more comforting.

• Make it ahead: Assemble the casserole up to a day in advance, cover, and refrigerate. When you’re ready to bake it, just add an extra 10 minutes to the cook time since it’s starting out cold.

• Freeze it for later: This dish freezes surprisingly well. Just make sure to use a freezer-safe dish and cover it tightly. You can thaw it overnight in the fridge and bake as directed.

Serving Suggestions

This Cheesy Beef Tortellini Bake is hearty enough to serve on its own, but if you want to round out the meal, here are a few simple sides that pair beautifully:

• A green salad with Italian dressing for something light and crisp.

• Garlic bread or breadsticks—because let’s be honest, you’ll want something to mop up the extra sauce.

• Steamed or roasted vegetables like broccoli or green beans for a touch of freshness.