If you’re looking for a budget-friendly, family-approved weeknight dinner, this cheesy baked tortellini casserole is an easy win—especially for picky eaters.
Tortellini is a favorite for a reason: little pasta pockets filled with cheese are irresistible. This version combines tortellini with a creamy meat sauce, then bakes it under a blanket of mozzarella and Parmesan for a comforting, hands-off meal.
This simple, inexpensive dinner is ideal for busy parents. It uses minimal ingredients, comes together quickly, and produces leftovers that reheat well for lunches or another meal.
You can use refrigerated or frozen tortellini—both work well. Besides the pasta, the core ingredients are just ground beef, marinara or pasta sauce, cream cheese for creaminess, and shredded cheese for topping. With these pantry-friendly items you’ll have dinner ready fast.
Easy Baked Tortellini Casserole with Ground Beef
- Cook the tortellini to al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- In a large skillet, brown 1 pound of ground beef with garlic, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning (or seasoning to taste). Drain excess grease.
- Stir in a 24-ounce jar of pasta sauce and 8 ounces of cubed cream cheese. Simmer until the cream cheese melts and the sauce is smooth.
- Gently toss the cooked tortellini in the sauce so the pasta is evenly coated.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and top with 1–2 cups shredded mozzarella and 1/2 cup grated or shredded Parmesan.
- Bake uncovered on the center rack for about 20 minutes. Turn the oven to broil for 2–3 minutes to brown the cheese, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Serve warm with garlic bread, a simple salad, or steamed vegetables.
When baked, the cheese develops a golden, slightly crisp topping while the inside stays creamy. It’s an intentionally forgiving recipe—adjust seasonings, cheese amounts, or swap ground turkey for beef if you prefer.
This casserole feeds a crowd but also makes terrific leftovers; store in the fridge and reheat portions for quick lunches or dinner the next day.
Cheesy Baked Tortellini Casserole With Meat Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 (20 oz) container refrigerated or frozen cheese tortellini
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 (24 oz) jar pasta sauce
- 8 oz cream cheese, cubed
- 1–2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1/2 cup grated or shredded Parmesan
- Seasoning to taste (salt, garlic powder, pepper, Italian seasoning)
Instructions
- Cook the tortellini to al dente according to package directions; drain and set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet with your preferred seasonings; drain excess grease.
- Stir the pasta sauce and cream cheese into the browned beef; simmer until smooth and well combined.
- Toss the cooked tortellini with the sauce, then pour into the prepared baking dish. Top evenly with mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake uncovered for about 20 minutes. Switch the oven to broil for 2–3 minutes until the cheese browns—watch carefully.
- Serve with salad, steamed veggies, or garlic bread.
Notes
Use whichever shredded cheeses you prefer. If you want a lighter version, swap ground turkey or ground chicken for the beef and use a lower-fat cheese. Leftovers store well in the fridge for 3–4 days.
Don’t forget to pin and save for later! 🙂
