Easy Ground Beef and Tortellini (Quick Recipe)
This Easy Ground Beef and Tortellini is a one-pan wonder that’s equal parts comforting and impressive! Picture tender tortellini tossed in a luscious tomato cream sauce with savory ground beef, sweet peas, and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan. It’s the perfect meal for a busy weeknight, yet special enough to share with the whole family—all while keeping the cooking simple and the flavors unforgettable.
You cook beef in the same pot as the pasta sauce and it is a great way to add extra flavor to an already easy recipe. Plus, I love using my fresh tortellini for this dish! You could even add some fresh mozzarella cheese and put this in the oven for a tortellini bake or tortellini casserole! If you love tortellini pasta, don’t forget to try my pumpkin and tortellini soup, tuscan tortellini soup, or chicken and escarole soup!
Ingredients
- Ground Beef: Opt for lean ground beef to reduce excess grease, or swap for ground turkey for a lighter option.
- Onion: A small yellow onion brings sweetness and depth—look for firm, dry onions at the store.
- Garlic: Fresh cloves add bold flavor, but garlic powder works in a pinch!
- Italian Seasoning: Use a high-quality blend or make your own with dried basil, oregano, and thyme.
- Double-Concentrated Tomato Paste: Adds richness and tang; look for tubes in the pasta aisle for convenience.
- Heavy Cream: Creates the creamy sauce—substitute with a dollop of sour cream or splash of cream for a slightly tangy twist.
- Parmesan Cheese: Use freshly grated for the best melt and flavor.
- Frozen Peas: Sweet, vibrant, and easy to keep on hand—no prep required!
- Cheese Tortellini: A package of cheese tortellini is the star; fresh or frozen both work great for this tortellini recipe.
Ingredient Additions
- Mozzarella Cheese: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top for a melty, gooey finish.
- Fresh Spinach: Stir in a handful of fresh spinach during the last 1-2 minutes of cooking for extra greens.
Step by Step Instructions
Sauté Onion and Garlic:
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 small onion, finely chopped, and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in 2 garlic cloves, minced, and cook for another minute.
Brown the Ground Beef:
Add 1 pound ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary. Season the beef with 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (if using).
Add Tomato Paste:
Push the beef mixture to one side of the skillet and add 1 tablespoon double-concentrated tomato paste to the center. Let it cook for about 1 minute, stirring occasionally, until slightly caramelized. Mix it into the beef and onion mixture.
Prepare the Creamy Sauce:
Stir in 1 cup frozen peas and let them heat for 1-2 minutes. Add 1 cup heavy cream and 1/2 cup chicken or beef broth, stirring well to combine.
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 3-4 minutes.
Cook the Tortellini:
While the sauce is simmering, cook 1 pound cheese tortellini according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Combine Tortellini and Sauce:
Add the cooked tortellini to the skillet, stirring to coat it in the creamy tomato sauce. Gradually stir in 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce thickens slightly. Taste the dish and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve: Garnish with 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional), and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Brown the Meat Well: Take the time to brown the ground beef thoroughly over medium-high heat for maximum flavor.
- Cook Tortellini Separately: Follow the package directions and cook tortellini al dente before combining with the sauce to prevent sogginess.
- Balance Seasoning: Taste as you go and adjust the salt, pepper, or Italian seasoning for your preferred flavor balance.
Did you try this recipe? I’d love to see it! Tag @alliehagerty on Instagram and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review below!
Easy Ground Beef and Tortellini (Easy Weeknight Recipe)
Equipment
- large skillet
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- cutting board
- Knife
- measuring spoons
- measuring cups
- Medium pot (for tortellini)
- Colander
- Grater (for Parmesan)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon double-concentrated tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken or beef broth
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus extra for serving
- 1 pound cheese tortellini fresh or frozen
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Add 1 pound ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes. Drain excess grease if necessary. Season the beef with 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (if using).
- Push the beef mixture to one side of the skillet and add 1 tablespoon double-concentrated tomato paste to the center. Let it cook for about 1 minute, stirring occasionally, until slightly caramelized. Mix it into the beef and onion mixture.
- Stir in 1 cup frozen peas and let them heat for 1-2 minutes. Add 1 cup heavy cream and 1/2 cup chicken or beef broth, stirring well to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 3-4 minutes.
- While the sauce is simmering, cook 1 pound cheese tortellini according to the package directions, until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Add the cooked tortellini to the skillet, stirring to coat it in the creamy tomato sauce. Gradually stir in 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce thickens slightly. Taste the dish and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Garnish with 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional), and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
- Brown the Meat Well: Take the time to brown the ground beef thoroughly over medium-high heat for maximum flavor.
- Cook Tortellini Separately: Follow the package directions and cook tortellini al dente before combining with the sauce to prevent sogginess.
- Balance Seasoning: Taste as you go and adjust the salt, pepper, or Italian seasoning for your preferred flavor balance.
Kids and husband loved this! Added some spinach that I had too!
Sooo delicious and easy! Used 1/2 ground beef, 1/2 hot Italian sausage cause I needed to use it up and it worked great. Love how versatile this recipe is. 🙂 A keeper for sure!
How is this one pan? If you cook tortellini in a second pot…. False advertising!
Hey Liz! Sorry about that – I actually updated the recipe as it is better to cook the tortellini separately versus in the sauce, and it looks like i failed to update the title. Hope you have a great day – and thanks for bringing this to my attention.
Is this creamy or dry?
Hi Carrie! This produces a light creamy sauce.