Cheesy Beef Tortellini Casserole with Basil

My kids love cheese tortellini but not in salad or cooked with just vegetables. This tortellini casserole recipe adds beef, tomato sauce, and cheese for a big dinnertime winner with the kids (and Dad)!

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 55 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins
• Calories: 441 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
• cooking spray (such as Pam®)
• 2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, divided
• 1 ½ pounds frozen cheese tortellini, slightly thawed

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Step 2

Heat 1 tablespoon canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove ground beef with a slotted spoon. Drain and discard the grease; wipe the skillet clean with a paper towel.

Step 3

Heat 1 tablespoon canola oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Reduce heat to medium and add onion. Cook, stirring frequently, until onion is just browning, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce begins to thicken, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in cream and 2 tablespoons basil; cook until thick, about 2 minutes.

Step 4

While the sauce is cooking, combine ricotta cheese, olive oil, remaining basil, salt, and pepper in a bowl.

Step 5

Remove tomato sauce from the heat. Add ground beef and tortellini; stir to combine.

Step 6

Spread 1/2 of the beef-tortellini sauce mixture on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Layer with the ricotta cheese mixture, the remaining sauce mixture, and the mozzarella cheese. Cover with aluminum foil.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven until bubbling, about 30 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.