This easy Beef Tortellini Recipe is your new weeknight hero. Imagine tender, cheese-filled tortellini swimming in a rich, savory beef and tomato sauce, all blanketed under a layer of gooey melted mozzarella. Best of all, this entire flavor-packed meal comes together in one skillet in just 30 minutes. It’s the kind of comforting, family-pleasing dinner that solves the “what’s for dinner” dilemma with delicious results every single time. Say goodbye to boring dinners and hello to your new go-to comfort food.
Why This is the Best Beef Tortellini Recipe
In a world of complicated recipes, this one-pan Beef Tortellini Recipe stands out for its simplicity and incredible flavor. It’s designed for busy people who still want a wholesome, satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
- One-Pan Wonder: Cleanup is a breeze! Everything from browning the beef to simmering the sauce happens in a single skillet.
- 30-Minute Meal: This recipe is perfect for hectic weeknights, delivering a complete meal from stovetop to table in half an hour.
- Rich & Flavorful: We build a simple yet deeply savory tomato cream sauce that tastes like it has been simmering for hours.
- Family-Approved: Cheesy, meaty, and packed with familiar flavors, it’s a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults. It’s a step up from a simple pasta dish, but just as easy, much like our popular Spinach and Mushroom Pasta.
The Key Ingredients for Perfect Beef Tortellini
The magic of this dish lies in using simple, high-quality ingredients to create a truly memorable sauce. Here’s what you’ll need to bring this incredible meal to life.
Choosing Your Tortellini
For this recipe, we recommend using refrigerated cheese tortellini. It cooks quickly and absorbs the flavor of the sauce beautifully. Three-cheese or five-cheese blends work exceptionally well. You can use frozen tortellini in a pinch, just be sure to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
The Best Ground Beef to Use
We suggest using 85/15 ground beef. This ratio provides enough fat to add significant flavor to the sauce without making it overly greasy. The rendered fat helps to sauté the onions and garlic, creating the foundational flavor base for the entire dish. If you prefer, you can substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage.
Building a Flavorful Sauce
The sauce is the heart of this Beef Tortellini Recipe. We use a combination of tomato sauce and tomato paste for a concentrated tomato flavor, balanced with Italian seasoning, garlic, and onion. A touch of heavy cream at the end creates a luxurious, creamy texture that coats every piece of tortellini.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create a perfect skillet of cheesy beef tortellini. It’s a straightforward process that delivers gourmet results.
- Brown the Beef: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Break it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Create the Sauce: Stir in the tomato paste, tomato sauce, beef broth, and Italian seasoning. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Cook the Tortellini: Add the refrigerated tortellini and heavy cream to the skillet. Stir to combine, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cover. Cook for 7-9 minutes, or until the tortellini is tender, stirring occasionally.
- Melt the Cheese: Top with the shredded mozzarella and fresh parsley. Cover the skillet again and let it sit for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly. Serve immediately.
Pro Tips for Recipe Success
A few expert tips can take this simple recipe from great to absolutely unforgettable. Here’s how to ensure perfect results every time.
- Don’t Overcook the Tortellini: Refrigerated tortellini cooks very quickly. Keep an eye on it to prevent it from becoming mushy. It should be tender but still have a slight bite.
- Use Freshly Grated Cheese: For the best melt, grate your own mozzarella. Pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that can prevent them from melting smoothly.
- Let the Sauce Simmer: Allowing the tomato sauce to simmer for a few minutes before adding the tortellini helps deepen its flavor significantly.
- Taste and Adjust: Always taste your sauce before serving. You may want to add a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for heat.
Easy Variations and Substitutions
This Beef Tortellini Recipe is incredibly versatile. Feel free to customize it based on your family’s preferences or what you have on hand. For another incredibly adaptable weeknight meal, try our Easy French Dip Sliders.
Make it Spicy
Add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes along with the Italian seasoning to give the dish a gentle, warming heat.
Add More Veggies
Stir in a cup of fresh spinach at the same time as the tortellini and let it wilt into the sauce. Sautéed mushrooms or bell peppers also make a great addition.
Protein Swaps
You can easily substitute the ground beef with ground Italian sausage, ground turkey, or even ground chicken for a different flavor profile.
What to Serve with Your Beef Tortellini
This is a hearty, all-in-one meal, but a few simple sides can round it out perfectly. A crisp green salad with a simple vinaigrette, like our Apple Arugula Salad (coming soon), provides a fresh contrast. Classic garlic bread is also a must-have for sopping up every last bit of the delicious sauce. For a vegetable side, simple roasted broccoli or green beans would be excellent.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Leftovers are fantastic the next day! Store any extra beef tortellini in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can microwave individual portions or gently warm the leftovers in a skillet over low heat. You may need to add a splash of beef broth or water to loosen the sauce as it reheats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can prepare the meat sauce up to 2 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, simply reheat the sauce in a skillet, then add the tortellini and heavy cream and cook according to the recipe instructions.
For a lighter option, you can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or evaporated milk. For a dairy-free alternative, full-fat coconut milk can work, though it will slightly alter the flavor profile.
Absolutely. You do not need to thaw the frozen tortellini before adding it to the sauce. You may need to add 3-5 minutes to the simmering time to ensure it is cooked through.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of beef broth or water to loosen the sauce. You can also microwave individual portions.
This dish pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad, steamed or roasted vegetables like broccoli or asparagus, and garlic bread for soaking up the delicious sauce.
Your New Favorite Weeknight Dinner!
This Beef Tortellini Recipe is more than just a meal; it’s a solution for busy evenings that your whole family will love. It’s comforting, quick, and bursting with flavor. We know this will become a staple in your dinner rotation. If you make it, please leave a comment below and share your creation on Pinterest! We can’t wait to see it.
Beef Tortellini Recipe
Beef Tortellini Recipe (Easy, Cheesy, & Ready in 30 Minutes!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Break it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the tomato paste, tomato sauce, beef broth, and Italian seasoning. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Add the refrigerated tortellini and heavy cream to the skillet. Stir to combine, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cover. Cook for 7-9 minutes, or until the tortellini is tender, stirring occasionally.
- Top with the shredded mozzarella and fresh parsley. Cover the skillet again and let it sit for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly. Serve immediately.
Notes
Use Freshly Grated Cheese: For the best melt, grate your own mozzarella. Pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that can prevent them from melting smoothly.
Let the Sauce Simmer: Allowing the tomato sauce to simmer for a few minutes before adding the tortellini helps deepen its flavor significantly.
