Description
Savory meat lovers pizza tortellini brings Italian culinary passion to your dinner table. Packed with robust flavors and hearty ingredients, this dish promises a delightful journey through rich, melted cheese and premium meat toppings you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Cheese:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb pepperoni, sliced
- 1/2 lb Italian sausage
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
Pasta and Base:
- 1 package (20 oz) cheese tortellini
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 2 tsp italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a large baking dish with a light coating of olive oil to prevent sticking.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef, Italian sausage, and pepperoni over medium-high heat, breaking the meats into small crumbles and draining excess fat.
- Cook the cheese tortellini according to package instructions, ensuring they are slightly undercooked to prevent mushiness during baking.
- Combine pizza sauce and marinara sauce in a mixing bowl, stirring in Italian seasoning, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to create a robust flavor profile.
- Drain the tortellini and gently fold them into the meat mixture, ensuring even distribution of proteins.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the tortellini and meat, thoroughly coating each piece and creating a uniform consistency.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly to ensure consistent cooking.
- Generously sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan cheeses over the top, covering the entire surface.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld and sauce to set.
- Garnish with fresh chopped basil before serving, adding a bright, aromatic finish to the dish.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a lighter version of the dish.
- Opt for whole wheat tortellini to boost nutritional value and add a nutty, wholesome flavor.
- Balance spiciness by adjusting red pepper flakes based on personal heat tolerance or guest preferences.
- Customize the protein mix by substituting some meat with plant-based alternatives for a vegetarian-friendly adaptation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg