Description
This Meat Lovers Pizza Tortellini is a hearty and delicious Italian-American dish that combines cheesy tortellini with savory Italian sausage, pepperoni, and bacon, all baked together with rich pizza sauce and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Perfect for a comforting and easy weeknight dinner, this skillet pasta bake satisfies cravings for classic pizza flavors in a simple, cheesy casserole form.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 (20-ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ pound Italian sausage (casings removed)
- ½ cup diced pepperoni
- ½ cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- 1 cup pizza sauce or marinara sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Optional Garnish
- Chopped parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Tortellini: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the refrigerated cheese tortellini according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the tortellini well and set it aside.
- Cook Meat Mixture: In a large oven-safe skillet or sauté pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until it is fully browned and cooked through. Then, stir in the diced pepperoni and cooked crumbled bacon and cook everything together for an additional minute to blend flavors.
- Combine Tortellini and Sauce: Add the cooked tortellini into the skillet with the meat mixture. Pour in 1 cup of pizza or marinara sauce, sprinkle ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning evenly over the pan. Stir gently but thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated in the sauce.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Evenly sprinkle 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella and ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the skillet mixture. Transfer the entire skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden on top.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, remove the skillet from the oven. Garnish with chopped parsley or basil if desired, then serve hot for a comforting meal packed with classic pizza flavors.
Notes
- Feel free to add sautéed mushrooms, green peppers, or black olives to customize this recipe with your favorite pizza toppings.
- For an extra spicy kick, sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes into the sauce mixture before baking.
- Use an oven-safe skillet to make transferring from stovetop to oven easier and avoid extra dishes.
- Make sure to cook the tortellini until just al dente so it doesn’t overcook during baking.
