Tortellini with Creamy Meat Sauce

🍝 Tortellini with Creamy Meat Sauce

This Tortellini with Creamy Meat Sauce is one of those hearty, comforting meals that really fills you up — especially if you add the spinach. Tender cheese-filled tortellini, a rich homemade meat sauce, creamy mascarpone, and plenty of melted cheese come together in one delicious baked pasta dish.

Serve it with some warm, crusty bread and you have a cozy, satisfying dinner. ❤️

👩‍🍳 Ingredients

For the Meat Sauce

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
  
  
  
  
• 1 medium carrot, finely diced
• 2 stalks celery, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 ounces tomato paste
• 3–4 cans water (use the empty tomato paste can to measure)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 6–8 fresh basil leaves, torn

For the Tortellini

• 1 pound tortellini
• 250 grams mascarpone cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Parmigiano-Reggiano, divided
• 2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
• 1 generous handful fresh spinach, roughly chopped (optional)

🥘 Instructions

1. Make the Meat Sauce

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease.

Add the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables begin to soften.

Stir in the tomato paste, water, and fresh basil. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cover. Simmer for at least 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. For an even richer flavor, let it simmer for up to 1 hour. Add a little more water if the sauce becomes too thick.

2. Cook the Tortellini

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the tortellini according to the package directions until al dente.

Before draining, reserve a little of the pasta water. Drain the tortellini and add it to the meat sauce.

3. Make It Creamy 🧀

Gently stir the mascarpone and 1/4 cup Parmesan into the tortellini and meat sauce. If you're adding spinach, stir it in now.

If needed, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until the sauce is creamy and coats the tortellini beautifully.

4. Bake Until Golden

Transfer everything to a greased casserole dish.

Top with the mozzarella and remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan.

Bake at 450°F until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and beautifully golden on top.

🍞 Time to Eat!

Serve immediately while everything is hot and cheesy. Add some warm bread on the side for soaking up that creamy meat sauce.

Tip: Don't skip the spinach if you want to make this an especially hearty, filling meal. It blends right into the sauce and adds a little extra substance without taking away from all that cheesy goodness. 🌿