Tasty Tortellini with Meat Sauce

I was in my thirties before I discovered that tortellini with meat sauce wasn’t just something you’d order at restaurants. Growing up, pasta night meant spaghetti with jarred sauce, and that was that. When my husband tried making tortellini at home, I thought he was being fancy.

Turns out, making tortellini with meat sauce is actually pretty simple – even easier than regular spaghetti, if you ask me. Store-bought tortellini does most of the heavy lifting, and the meat sauce? Well, it’s basically impossible to mess up if you follow a few basic steps. For busy weeknight cooking, it’s become my go-to dinner solution.

What Kind of Ground Beef Should I Use?

For this tortellini recipe, 90% lean ground beef is ideal since it offers the perfect balance of flavor and health benefits. While you could use 80% lean beef, you’ll end up with more fat in the pan that you’ll need to drain off, and 93% or 95% lean might end up a bit too dry for a rich meat sauce. When you’re at the store, look for beef that’s bright red in color and avoid any packages with excessive liquid at the bottom. For the best results, bring your ground beef to room temperature for about 15 minutes before cooking, and break it up into small, even pieces as it browns in the pan to ensure it cooks uniformly throughout.

Options for Substitutions

This easy pasta dish can be adapted with several ingredient swaps if needed:

• Ground beef: You can easily swap the ground beef for ground turkey, Italian sausage, or even plant-based ground meat alternatives. For a vegetarian version, try using mushrooms – just chop them finely and cook them the same way as the meat.
• Cheese tortellini: While tortellini gives this dish its character, you can use other stuffed pasta like ravioli or regular pasta shapes like penne or rotini in a pinch. Just note that the cooking time might need adjustment based on the pasta type you choose.
• Marinara sauce: No jarred marinara? You can use canned crushed tomatoes (same amount) plus 1 teaspoon each of dried basil and oregano. Or try vodka sauce or arrabbiata sauce for a different flavor profile.
• Parmesan cheese: Romano or Pecorino cheese work great as alternatives. If you’re out of hard Italian cheese, try using shredded mozzarella – it won’t have the same sharp taste but will still add that nice cheesy finish.
• Fresh parsley: You can use dried parsley (about 2 teaspoons) or swap it with fresh basil. If you don’t have herbs on hand, you can skip them – the dish will still taste great.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when cooking tortellini with meat sauce is overcooking the pasta – even one minute too long can turn your tortellini from perfectly tender to mushy and falling apart. Another common error is not properly browning the ground beef; make sure to let it develop a nice crust before breaking it up, as this adds deeper flavor to your sauce. When it comes to the sauce consistency, avoid the temptation to rush – letting it simmer for at least 15-20 minutes helps the flavors meld together, and if it gets too thick, you can always thin it out with a splash of the pasta cooking water. For the best results, reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining your tortellini, and don’t rinse the pasta after cooking – the starch helps the sauce cling better to each piece.

What to Serve With Tortellini with Meat Sauce?

This hearty pasta dish pairs perfectly with some classic Italian-style sides to round out your meal. A simple green salad with crisp romaine, cherry tomatoes, and a light Italian dressing helps balance out the richness of the meat sauce and cheese-filled pasta. For a warm side dish, try some garlic bread or breadsticks – they’re perfect for soaking up any extra sauce left on your plate. If you want to add more veggies to your meal, roasted broccoli or sautéed zucchini seasoned with just a bit of olive oil and garlic makes a great complement to the pasta without overshadowing the main dish.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This tortellini dish is perfect for leftovers! Place it in an airtight container and pop it in the fridge – it’ll stay good for up to 4 days. The sauce might get a bit absorbed by the pasta over time, but that just means more flavor in every bite!

Freeze: Want to save some for later? Let the dish cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. It’ll keep well for up to 3 months in the freezer. Just remember that the texture of the tortellini might be a bit softer after freezing and thawing.

Warm Up: When you’re ready to enjoy your leftovers, heat them in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until warmed through. If the sauce seems a bit thick, add a splash of water or marinara. For frozen portions, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. A sprinkle of fresh parmesan on top makes it taste almost like new!

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	20-30 minutes
Total Time	30-45 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1600-1800
• Protein: 90-100 g
• Fat: 80-90 g
• Carbohydrates: 140-160 g

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
• 1/2 cup chopped white onion
• 2 teaspoons chopped garlic
• 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
• Salt and pepper as desired
• 20 ounces cheese tortellini (either fresh or frozen)
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Step 1: Sauté the Onion

Start by heating olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.

Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes or until the onion has softened, stirring occasionally to prevent it from burning.

Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef

Add the ground beef to the pan with the softened onions.

Season the beef to taste with salt and pepper.

Use a spatula to break up the meat and cook until it’s fully browned, about 4-5 minutes.

Step 3: Add Garlic and Marinara Sauce

Once the beef is cooked, add minced garlic to the pan and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.

Pour the marinara sauce into the pan with the beef and garlic, stirring to combine.

Heat the mixture until everything is warmed through.

Step 4: Cook the Tortellini

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil.

Add the tortellini and cook according to the package directions until they are al dente.

Once cooked, drain the tortellini well and place them back in the pot.

Step 5: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Pour the warm beef and marinara sauce over the drained tortellini in the pot.

Toss the pasta gently to ensure it is evenly coated with the sauce.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Transfer the pasta to serving plates.

Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and chopped parsley for added flavor and presentation.

Serve immediately while hot and enjoy your delicious tortellini dish!