Cheesy Baked Tortellini with Creamy Meat Sauce
Cheesy Baked Tortellini with Creamy Meat Sauce
Ingredients
For the Creamy Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef, lean
- 1 tablespoon Italian herb blend
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
- 24 ounces Classico Four Cheese pasta sauce
- 8 ounces cream cheese, full-fat, softened
For the Tortellini
- 20 ounces fresh cheese tortellini
- 4 quarts water, for boiling
For Baking
- 1 1/2 cups shredded reduced-fat mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian herb blend, for topping
- cooking spray, as needed
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375
- 2
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until no pink remains, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
While the beef is browning, bring 4 quarts of water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the boiling water. Add the fresh cheese tortellini and cook according to package directions, usually 3 to 5 minutes, until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 4
Return the skillet with the drained ground beef to medium heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon of Italian herb blend, the red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Pour the Classico Four Cheese pasta sauce over the seasoned ground beef. Add the softened cream cheese to the skillet. Stir continuously until the cream cheese is fully melted and smoothly incorporated into the sauce, creating a creamy consistency.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Add the drained tortellini to the creamy meat sauce in the skillet. Gently stir to ensure all the tortellini are thoroughly coated with the sauce.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Transfer the tortellini and sauce mixture into the prepared 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of Italian herb blend over the top, followed by the shredded reduced-fat mozzarella cheese, ensuring an even layer.
⏱️ 3 min
- 8
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned on top. Let stand for a few minutes before serving.
⏱️ 20 min•🌡️ 375
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Cheesy Baked Tortellini with Creamy Meat Sauce
Ingredients
For the Creamy Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef, lean
- 1 tablespoon Italian herb blend
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
- 24 ounces Classico Four Cheese pasta sauce
- 8 ounces cream cheese, full-fat, softened
For the Tortellini
- 20 ounces fresh cheese tortellini
- 4 quarts water, for boiling
For Baking
- 1 1/2 cups shredded reduced-fat mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian herb blend, for topping
- cooking spray, as needed
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375 - 2
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until no pink remains, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
While the beef is browning, bring 4 quarts of water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the boiling water. Add the fresh cheese tortellini and cook according to package directions, usually 3 to 5 minutes, until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 4
Return the skillet with the drained ground beef to medium heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon of Italian herb blend, the red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Pour the Classico Four Cheese pasta sauce over the seasoned ground beef. Add the softened cream cheese to the skillet. Stir continuously until the cream cheese is fully melted and smoothly incorporated into the sauce, creating a creamy consistency.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Add the drained tortellini to the creamy meat sauce in the skillet. Gently stir to ensure all the tortellini are thoroughly coated with the sauce.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Transfer the tortellini and sauce mixture into the prepared 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of Italian herb blend over the top, followed by the shredded reduced-fat mozzarella cheese, ensuring an even layer.
⏱️ 3 min - 8
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned on top. Let stand for a few minutes before serving.
⏱️ 20 min•🌡️ 375