If you’ve ever had trouble choosing between lasagna and cheesy tortellini, I’ve got the perfect recipe for you Tortellini Lasagna! It’s cozy, saucy, cheesy, and comes together in one pan. This is one of those dishes that makes everyone at the table happy. I love how fast and easy it is to make, and the flavor? Wow! It’s like lasagna’s fun cousin who shows up to the party with extra cheese.
Method
Sauté the Veggies
To start building a flavorful base, heat 2 teaspoons of avocado oil in a large oven-safe deep skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is warm, add in the diced onion and sauté it for about 3 minutes, until it starts to soften and turn slightly translucent. Then, stir in the minced garlic and let it cook for another minute. The aroma at this stage is already amazing this combination sets the foundation for the entire dish.
Cook the Beef
Next, it’s time to add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it up using a wooden spoon or spatula and season it with 1 teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper. Cook the beef for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s fully browned and no pink remains. Once the meat is cooked through, add in the tablespoon of tomato paste. Stir well and let it cook with the beef for about 2 more minutes. This step deepens the flavor and brings a rich, slightly sweet tomato punch to the dish.
Build the Sauce
Now it’s time to create that cozy, herb-filled sauce. Pour in the entire can of crushed tomatoes and give it a good stir. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if you like a touch of spice). At this stage, sprinkle in ¼ teaspoon of baking soda. This may seem unusual, but it helps neutralize the acidity of the tomatoes, making the sauce taste smoother and less sharp. Let everything simmer together for about 6 to 8 minutes so the flavors have time to mix and mingle into a delicious, hearty sauce.
Add the Tortellini
Once your sauce is simmering beautifully, pour in 1 cup of water and bring it back to a gentle simmer. Now stir in the fresh, refrigerated tortellini. Make sure the pasta is fully coated and partially submerged in the sauce. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it cook for about 4 to 5 minutes. The tortellini cooks quickly and will be perfectly tender in no time. Be careful not to overcook them, or they may become too soft.
Cheese Time!
Once the tortellini are cooked, it’s time to load this skillet with cheese! First, sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and ¼ cup of grated Parmesan evenly over the top of the pasta and sauce. In a separate mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, freshly chopped parsley, garlic salt, and black pepper. Mix everything well, and then use a spoon to drop dollops of this ricotta mixture all over the top of the skillet. These cheesy clouds will melt into gooey bites of joy as the dish finishes.
Broil & Bubble
Finally, transfer the skillet to the oven and broil it uncovered for about 3 to 4 minutes. Keep a close eye on it the cheese should bubble and turn golden brown, but you don’t want it to burn. Once it looks perfectly cheesy and golden on top, carefully remove the skillet using oven mitts. Sprinkle some fresh parsley over the top for a pop of color and freshness. Now your tortellini lasagna is ready to serve hot and delicious!
Necessary Tools
- Large oven-safe deep skillet
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife and cutting board
- Mixing bowl
- Oven mitts (it gets hot!)
Tortellini Lasagna – The Cheesy, Meaty Pasta Bake You’ll Love
Cuisine: American, ItalianDifficulty: Easy8
servings15
minutes25
minutes40
minutesIngredients
For the Pasta and Sauce
20 oz fresh refrigerated tortellini
1 lb ground beef
½ medium onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp tomato paste
2 tsp avocado oil
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
For the Sauce
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 cup water
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp salt (or to taste)
¼ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a little kick)
¼ tsp baking soda (to make the tomatoes less acidic)
For the Ricotta Topping
1 cup ricotta cheese
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
½ tsp garlic salt
¼ tsp black pepper
For the Final Dish
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Extra parsley for garnish
Directions
- Sauté the Veggies
Heat the avocado oil in your deep skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3 minutes. Toss in the garlic and stir it around for about a minute. - Cook the Beef
Add the ground beef to the pan. Sprinkle in 1 tsp of salt and ¼ tsp pepper. Cook until it’s browned (about 5 minutes), breaking it up with your spoon. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 more minutes. - Build the Sauce
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and add all your sauce spices: garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Don’t forget the baking soda it helps make the sauce less tangy! Let this simmer for about 6–8 minutes. - Add the Tortellini
Pour in the water and bring it back to a simmer. Stir in the tortellini, cover the pan, and cook for 4–5 minutes, until the pasta is nice and tender. - Cheese Time!
Sprinkle 1 cup mozzarella and ¼ cup Parmesan over the top. Then, mix all the ricotta topping ingredients in a bowl and drop little spoonfuls across the top. - Broil & Bubble
Pop your skillet under the broiler, uncovered, for 3–4 minutes. Keep an eye on it it’s done when the cheese is golden and bubbling. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot!
Notes
- Don’t overcook the tortellini! It cooks fast and can get mushy if you leave it too long.
- Make sure your skillet is oven-safe before broiling plastic handles are a no-go!
- Add the baking soda a little at a time; too much can make the sauce taste weird.
- Don’t skip the simmer time for the sauce it helps all the flavors blend together just right.
Serving Suggestions
Tortellini Lasagna is super filling, but it goes great with:
- Garlic bread or breadsticks
- A fresh green salad
- Roasted veggies like zucchini or broccoli
- A cold glass of lemonade or iced tea
It’s a perfect weeknight dinner or something special for Sunday night!
Fun Fact
Did you know tortellini is shaped like a belly button? Yep! Legend says an Italian chef was inspired by the goddess Venus. Lasagna and tortellini both come from Italy, so combining them is like throwing a cheesy Italian party in your mouth!
Conclusion
Tortellini Lasagna is one of my favorite comfort foods because it’s rich, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make. It brings the best parts of two amazing dishes into one skillet. Whether you’re cooking for your family or treating yourself, this recipe is a total win.
