BAKED TORTELLINI AND MEAT SAUCE RECIPE

Baked Tortellini

Here's a new recipe we have done a couple of times.  We found it online (Pinterest) and modified it a bit to our preferences.  Wow, it's SO good.

BAKED TORTELLINI

1 onion, chopped

3 to 4 cloves of garlic minced

20 oz pkg fresh cheese tortellini (we used Buitoni)

1 24 oz jar of marinara (we like Rao's brand) 

8 oz cream cheese

2 lbs ground Italian sausage (or beef or combo)

2 cups shredded mozzarella

1/2 cup of grated parmesan

Sautéed onion and garlic

In a pan, saute the chopped onion and garlic in a few TBSP olive oil until translucent.

Browned sausage

Add the ground meat (sausage or beef) to the onion/garlic mixture and cook until browned.

Drain any excess grease/fat, reduce to simmer.

Side note:  We used all ground beef the first time, very good.  We used all Italian sausage this time, wonderful. Next time we're going to try a combo of 1 lb each.

*The Italian sausage adds so much seasoning and flavor so if you use all beef, add a TBSP or so of Italian seasonings to the browning step for some of that flavor.

Marinara and sausage

Add one jar of marinara sauce and stir to combine.

Mariana meat sauce with cream cheese

Add the cream cheese and stir until melted.

Boiling tortellini

In a separate pot, boil the tortellini according to package directions and drain well.  We always go a minute or two under since it will cook more in the oven.

Tortellini and marinara

 Add the drained tortellini to the meat sauce mixture.

Tortellini ready for oven

Stir all to combine and melt the cream cheese.

Remove from heat.

Baked tortellini 

Pour into a 9x13 greased casserole dish. 

Tortellini bake in the oven

Spread shredded mozzarella on top and sprinkle the grated parmesan over that.  

Pop into a preheated 350 degree oven and bake, uncovered, for 25 minutes.

When the timer goes off, turn on the broiler and broil for about 5 minutes or until top is browned and bubbly. 

Baked tortellini casserole fresh from the oven

Take it out and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes to cool and let it thicken up.

Oven baked tortellini lasagna

Dish it up and enjoy.  We had it with some delicious garlic bread and a side salad.  

We made a similar recipe a few times but wow, this one is so much easier and better.  It really gives you everything you want in a lasagna but in an easier and quicker form.  And cold the next day...well let's just say, I bet you wouldn't know that it's not lasagna.

SO GOOD!