Sizzling Meat Lovers Pizza Tortellini Recipe for Pasta Night

Pizza enthusiasts adore this hearty meat lovers tortellini recipe that combines classic Italian flavors with robust protein-packed ingredients.

Cheese-filled pasta shells nestle beneath a rich landscape of savory meats.

Pepperoni, sausage, and ground beef create a decadent layer of deliciousness.

Each bite promises a symphony of textures and robust seasonings.

Melted mozzarella binds the ingredients into a mouthwatering masterpiece.

Your dinner table will come alive with excitement when you serve this crowd-pleasing dish.

Prepare to savor every delectable morsel of this irresistible culinary creation.

Why Meat Lovers Pizza Tortellini Hits The Spot

• Slam Dunk Comfort Food: Combines classic pizza flavors with hearty tortellini for a crowd-pleasing meal that satisfies serious cravings.
• Minimal Prep, Maximum Flavor: Requires simple ingredients and straightforward cooking steps, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want delicious results without complicated techniques.
• Customize Your Feast: Easily adaptable recipe allows swapping meats, adjusting spice levels, or adding extra toppings to match personal taste preferences and dietary needs.
• One-Pan Wonder: Streamlines cooking process by using a single skillet and baking dish, reducing kitchen cleanup and making mealtime stress-free for home chefs.

What You Need For Meat Lovers Pizza Tortellini

• Ground Beef: A hearty base meat that provides rich flavor and substantial texture to the dish.
• Italian Sausage: Adds spicy and robust taste that complements the other meats.
• Pepperoni: Brings additional savory depth and classic pizza-like flavor to the casserole.

• Cheese Tortellini: Soft, filled pasta that serves as the primary carbohydrate and adds creamy cheese element to the recipe.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Provides classic stretchy and melty texture typical of pizza-style dishes.
• Parmesan Cheese: Offers sharp, salty notes that enhance overall flavor profile.
• Ricotta Cheese: Creates creamy pockets of smoothness throughout the casserole.

• Pizza Sauce: Delivers traditional tomato-based flavor foundation for the dish.
• Garlic Powder: Adds aromatic and savory undertone to the meat mixture.
• Dried Oregano, Dried Basil: Classic Italian herbs that boost the recipe's authentic taste.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces subtle heat and complexity to the seasoning.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and enhancing overall taste.

• Olive Oil: Used for preparing the baking dish to prevent sticking.

Steps To Cook Meat Lovers Pizza Tortellini

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 375°F and lightly brush a baking dish with olive oil to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Brown the Meaty Goodness

• Ground beef
• Italian sausage
• Pepperoni

Crumble the meats into tiny pieces over medium-high heat until they’re fully cooked with zero pink remaining.

Step 3: Season and Drain

• Garlic powder
• Dried oregano
• Dried basil
• Red pepper flakes
• Salt
• Black pepper

Step 4: Boil the Tortellini

Cook the cheese tortellini in salted boiling water following package directions until perfectly al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 5: Create the First Layer

Spread the cooked tortellini evenly across the prepared baking dish, creating a pasta foundation.

Step 6: Meat Blanket

Cover the tortellini completely with the seasoned meat mixture, creating a delicious meaty layer.

Step 7: Sauce It Up

Pour pizza sauce generously over the meat and tortellini, making sure every inch gets covered.

Step 8: Cheese Extravaganza

• Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese

Step 9: Ricotta Finishing Touch

Dot small clusters of ricotta cheese across the surface for extra creamy goodness.

Step 10: Bake to Perfection

Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Look for completely melted cheese with golden edges.

Step 11: Rest and Serve

Pull the casserole out and let it rest for 5 minutes. This allows the flavors to mingle and the dish to set before diving in.

Tips To Get Meat Lovers Pizza Tortellini Just Right

• Drain Meat Thoroughly: Pat the ground beef and sausage with paper towels to remove excess grease, ensuring a crisp texture and preventing a soggy casserole.
• Select Quality Tortellini: Choose fresh or refrigerated tortellini for better flavor and texture, avoiding dried versions that might become too firm during baking.
• Boost Flavor Intensity: Crush dried herbs between your fingers before adding to release more aromatic oils and enhance the overall taste profile of the dish.
• Control Spice Level: Adjust red pepper flakes based on personal heat preference, starting with a small amount and incrementally increasing for desired kick.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Allow cheeses to reach room temperature before sprinkling to promote even melting and create a smooth, golden-brown top layer.

Tasty Combos For Meat Lovers Pizza Tortellini

• Vegetarian Pasta Bake: Replace ground beef, sausage, and pepperoni with plant-based protein crumbles or sautéed mushrooms for a meat-free version. Add extra vegetables like spinach or zucchini for more nutrition.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Swap: Substitute tortellini with cauliflower florets or zucchini noodles to reduce carbohydrate content. Keep the same cheese and sauce approach for a keto-friendly alternative.
• Gluten-Free Comfort Casserole: Use gluten-free cheese tortellini and ensure all seasonings and sauces are certified gluten-free. Verify pepperoni and other ingredients meet gluten-free standards for safe consumption.

What Pairs Well With Meat Lovers Pizza Tortellini

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Select a bold Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the rich meaty flavors and cut through the cheesy intensity of the tortellini bake.
• Serve with Crisp Garden Salad: Create a light mixed green salad with balsamic vinaigrette to balance the heavy, hearty pasta dish and add fresh, tangy contrast.
• Match with Garlic Bread: Prepare crusty garlic bread to soak up the delicious pizza sauce and provide a crunchy texture that enhances the overall dining experience.
• Enhance with Herb Garnish: Sprinkle fresh chopped basil or parsley on top to brighten the dish and add a fresh, aromatic finishing touch that elevates the flavor profile.

Keep Meat Lovers Pizza Tortellini Fresh The Easy Way

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the dish fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and flavor absorption.
• Wrap the cooled casserole securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then place in a freezer-safe container. Properly stored, the dish maintains quality for up to 2 months in the freezer.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake uncovered at 350°F for 20-25 minutes. Cover with foil if the top browns too quickly, ensuring even heating throughout the dish.
• Transfer a single serving to a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals.

Meat Lovers Pizza Tortellini FAQs Answered

• Can I use different types of tortellini?

Yes, you can substitute cheese tortellini with meat or spinach varieties. Choose your favorite filling to customize the dish.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The red pepper flakes add a mild kick, but you can adjust the amount or omit them completely for a milder version.

• Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Prepare the casserole up to the baking stage, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add an extra 10 minutes to the baking time when cooking from cold.

• Do I need to precook the tortellini completely?

Cook tortellini just until al dente to prevent overcooking during baking. This ensures a perfect texture in the final dish.

Supreme Meat Lovers Pizza Tortellini Recipe

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4.9 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 45-50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Savory meat lovers pizza tortellini combines Italian comfort with bold flavor profiles. Hearty cheese-filled pasta embraces zesty pepperoni, crispy bacon, and spicy sausage, creating a mouthwatering fusion you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat Base:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 0.5 lb pepperoni, sliced
• 0.25 lb Italian sausage, crumbled

Cheese and Dairy:

• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 0.25 cup ricotta cheese

Pizza and Pasta Components:

• 1 package cheese tortellini
• 1 cup pizza sauce
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 0.5 tsp garlic powder
• 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F, preparing a baking dish with a light coating of olive oil to prevent sticking.
2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef, Italian sausage, and pepperoni over medium-high heat, breaking the meats into small crumbles until fully cooked and no pink remains.
3. Drain excess fat from the meat mixture, then return to the skillet and season with garlic powder, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
4. Cook the cheese tortellini in boiling salted water according to package instructions until just al dente, then drain and set aside.
5. Layer the cooked tortellini in the prepared baking dish, evenly spreading the seasoned meat mixture over the pasta.
6. Pour pizza sauce generously across the meat and tortellini, ensuring complete coverage.
7. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the entire surface, followed by a liberal dusting of parmesan cheese.
8. Dollop ricotta cheese in small clusters across the top of the dish for added creaminess.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and slightly golden around the edges.
10. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the dish to set before serving.

Notes

• Customize meat selection by swapping ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter protein option.
• Reduce sodium content by using low-sodium pizza sauce and less salt when seasoning the meat mixture.
• Create a vegetarian version by replacing meat with plant-based sausage crumbles and adding roasted vegetables like bell peppers and mushrooms.
• Enhance flavor complexity by incorporating fresh herbs like chopped basil or parsley as a final garnish before serving.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 680
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 1300 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 58 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg