Baked Tortellini

 Yummy!   This recipe can be super easy or a little time consuming.  If you make everything from scratch, it takes more time, but it tastes amazing.   If you want a quick meal, buy the ricotta cheese, tortellini, and marinara sauce.  

BAKED TORTELLINI

(serves 8)

Ingredients:

*1 pound ground beef (optional)

*1 teaspoon salt

*1 teaspoon ground black pepper 

*1 (16 ounce) bag cheese tortellini or make your own.

*1 (8 ounce) package fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into cubes (or 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese)

*1 (25.5 ounce) jar marinara sauce 

*1 quart stewed tomatoes (i make my own or buy San Marzano tomatoes)

*1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

*1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese. 

Directions:

~Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

~Spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with cooing spray.

~Season ground beef with salt & pepper.

~In a large skillet, brown ground beef until no longer pink.

~Drain any excess grease.

~Add marinara sauce, and  stewed tomatoes, and Italian seasoning, and simmer for 20-30 minutes.

~Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

~Cook tortellini according to directions on package (if making homemade cook for 1- 2 minutes after the tortilla floats to the top of pan).

~Drain, and spread evenly in prepared baking dish.

~Pour marinara sauce over the tortellini and mix.

~Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

~Place mozzarella cheese evenly over the top to the tortellini.

~Bake for 25-30 minutes.