One-Pan Beefy Tortellini Bake for an Easy Family Dinner

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One-Pan Beefy Tortellini Bake is a comforting, crowd-pleasing dinner designed for busy households that want maximum flavor with minimal cleanup. This baked pasta dish combines tender cheese-filled tortellini, savory ground beef, rich tomato sauce, and a generous layer of melted cheese, all prepared in a single pan. The result is a hearty, satisfying meal that works just as well for weeknight dinners as it does for make-ahead meal planning.

One-pan meals have become increasingly popular because they simplify both cooking and cleanup. This recipe embraces that approach by building flavor directly in the pan, layering ingredients efficiently, and baking everything together until bubbly and golden. The tortellini absorbs the sauce while baking, creating a cohesive texture that feels indulgent without being complicated.

This One-Pan Beefy Tortellini Bake is intentionally structured to be approachable and flexible. It uses familiar ingredients, requires minimal prep, and scales easily for larger families or leftovers.

Why Beefy Tortellini Bakes Are So Popular

Pasta bakes are a staple in home cooking because they offer reliability and comfort. Tortellini adds an extra layer of richness thanks to its cheese filling, while ground beef brings savory depth and protein.

Key advantages of this recipe include:

  • One-pan preparation for easy cleanup
  • Hearty, filling portions
  • Family-friendly flavors
  • Excellent reheating performance

Because everything bakes together, the flavors meld into a cohesive dish that holds up well over time.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 24 ounces refrigerated cheese tortellini
  • 3 cups marinara or pasta sauce
  • 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Optional additions:

  • Red pepper flakes
  • Fresh basil or parsley
  • Spinach or mushrooms

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or pan over medium heat.
  3. Add diced onion and cook until softened.
  4. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart.
  6. Season beef with Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  7. Stir in marinara sauce and bring to a gentle simmer.
  8. Add tortellini and stir until evenly coated in sauce.
  9. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over the top.
  10. Transfer pan to the oven and bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
  11. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

One-Pan Beefy Tortellini Bake is well suited for leftovers and meal prep.

  • Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days
  • Freezing: Freeze baked portions for up to 2 months
  • Reheating: Warm in oven or microwave until heated through

The sauce helps keep the tortellini tender during reheating.

One-Pan Beefy Tortellini Bake

A hearty one-pan dinner made with cheese-filled tortellini, savory ground beef, rich marinara sauce, and melted cheese baked until bubbly and golden.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired
Calories: 520

Ingredients
  

Beef Tortellini Bake
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 0.5 tsp paprika
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste
  • 24 oz refrigerated cheese tortellini
  • 3 cups marinara sauce
  • 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese grated

Equipment

  • Oven-safe skillet or baking dish
  • Wooden spoon
  • Measuring cups

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened.
  3. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
  5. Season beef with Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
  6. Stir in marinara sauce and bring to a gentle simmer.
  7. Add tortellini and stir until evenly coated in sauce.
  8. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
  9. Transfer skillet to the oven and bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
  10. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Add spinach or mushrooms for extra vegetables. Leftovers reheat well.

Flavor Variations

  • Vegetable Boost: Add spinach or zucchini
  • Creamy Version: Stir in ricotta or cream cheese
  • Protein Swap: Use ground turkey or Italian sausage
  • Spicy Option: Add crushed red pepper or spicy marinara

These variations allow flexibility without changing the core method.

Serving Suggestions

One-Pan Beefy Tortellini Bake pairs well with:

  • Simple green salad
  • Garlic bread
  • Roasted vegetables
  • Steamed broccoli

It works equally well as a standalone dish or part of a larger dinner spread.

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