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Million Dollar Tortellini Casserole

Million Dollar Tortellini Casserole

This Million Dollar Tortellini Casserole is the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights when you need a satisfying meal without the effort of a traditional lasagna. By combining cheesy refrigerated tortellini with a rich meat sauce and a velvety cream cheese base, you get a decadent dinner that the whole family will love.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 485

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey or bulk Italian sausage
  • 1 jar marinara sauce (24-ounce)
  • 2 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature
  • 18 ounces refrigerated cheese tortellini to 20 ounces (no need to boil)
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese or Italian-style blend, divided
  • Fresh parsley chopped for garnish (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until it is fully browned and no longer pink. If you are using a higher fat content meat, be sure to drain the excess grease.
    1 pound lean ground beef
  3. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the marinara sauce and the room-temperature cream cheese. Continue to stir until the cream cheese has completely melted into the sauce, creating a creamy, pinkish-red mixture.
    1 jar marinara sauce, 2 ounces cream cheese
  4. Add the uncooked refrigerated tortellini and 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese directly into the skillet. Stir gently until the pasta is well-coated in the sauce.
    18 ounces refrigerated cheese tortellini, 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  5. Transfer the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
  6. Top the casserole with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
    2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  7. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese on top is melted and starting to turn golden brown.
  8. Remove from the oven and let it stand for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
    Fresh parsley

Notes

To ensure the best results, always use refrigerated tortellini rather than the dried, shelf-stable kind. Make sure your cream cheese is truly at room temperature before adding it to the sauce to prevent clumps and ensure a smooth consistency.
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