Description
Savory meat lovers pizza tortellini combines Italian culinary magic with hearty protein-packed ingredients. Cheesy, robust flavors dance across your palate, promising a delightful dining experience that satisfies serious comfort food cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb italian sausage
- 1 package cheese tortellini
- 1 cup pepperoni slices
Sauce and Cheese:
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Additional Toppings:
- 2 tsp italian herbs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 0.25 cup chopped fresh basil
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup diced green bell peppers
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 and Italian sausage over medium-high heat, breaking the meat into small crumbles until fully cooked and no pink remains.
- Drain excess fat from the meat mixture and return to the skillet, seasoning with Italian herbs and garlic powder for enhanced flavor.
- Cook the cheese tortellini according to package instructions, slightly undercooking to ensure they maintain texture during baking.
- Layer the bottom of the baking dish with a thin spread of marinara sauce, creating a flavorful base for the dish.
- Arrange the partially cooked tortellini in an even layer over the sauce, then top with the seasoned meat mixture.
- Distribute pepperoni slices, black olives, and diced green bell peppers evenly across the surface for maximum topping coverage.
- Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the entire dish, ensuring all ingredients are well-coated.
- Generously sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan cheese over the top, creating a rich and bubbling cheese layer.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and slightly golden around the edges.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to settle and the dish to set.
- Garnish with fresh chopped basil just before serving for a bright, aromatic finish.
Notes
- Optimize tortellini cooking by reducing boiling time slightly, preventing them from becoming mushy during baking.
- Swap ground meats with plant-based alternatives like crumbled tofu or vegetarian sausage for a meat-free version that maintains similar texture and flavor profile.
- Control sodium levels by using low-sodium marinara sauce and reducing added salt, making the dish more heart-friendly without compromising taste.
- Consider making this dish ahead of time by assembling and refrigerating up to 24 hours before baking, which allows flavors to meld and simplifies meal preparation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 685
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg