Description
This creamy tortellini with meat sauce is a comforting and easy weeknight dinner made with just five simple ingredients. Juicy browned ground beef simmers in roasted garlic tomato sauce, blended smoothly with cream cheese to create a rich, velvety sauce that perfectly coats tender cheese tortellini. Melted mozzarella cheese adds an extra layer of gooey goodness, while fresh basil or parsley provides a bright, herbal finish. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a perfect cozy meal to serve with garlic bread for a satisfying Italian-inspired dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb cheese tortellini (fresh or refrigerated)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 jar (24 oz) roasted garlic tomato sauce
- 4 oz cream cheese (half a standard brick, softened)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Optional Garnish
- Chopped parsley or basil, for serving
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook 1 pound of ground beef until it is fully browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once browned, drain any excess fat to keep the sauce from becoming greasy.
- Add and Simmer Sauce: Stir in a 24-ounce jar of roasted garlic tomato sauce to the browned beef. Let the mixture simmer gently for about 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Melt Cream Cheese into Sauce: Cut 4 ounces of softened cream cheese into cubes and add them to the skillet. Stir continuously until the cream cheese melts completely and blends smoothly into the tomato sauce, creating a creamy texture.
- Cook Tortellini: While the sauce simmers, cook a 20-ounce package of refrigerated cheese tortellini according to the package instructions, typically boiling for 3-5 minutes until tender. Drain well.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked tortellini directly into the skillet with the creamy meat sauce. Stir gently to coat all the pasta evenly.
- Add Mozzarella Cheese and Finish: Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the tortellini and sauce mixture. Allow it to melt into the sauce for a rich, cheesy finish. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley for a bright, fresh flavor before serving warm.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey or chicken for the ground beef.
- Use fresh herbs like basil or parsley for garnish to enhance the flavor and presentation.
- Serve with a side of garlic bread or a simple green salad for a complete meal.
- You can substitute the roasted garlic tomato sauce with a marinara or other tomato-based pasta sauce if preferred.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently to avoid breaking down the cream cheese sauce.
