Description

This hearty Meat Lovers Pizza Tortellini combines tender tortellini pasta with a savory blend of Italian sausage, ground beef, bacon, and classic pizza flavors. Smothered in rich pizza sauce, melted mozzarella cheese, and topped with pepperoni, it’s an irresistible comfort dish that brings the beloved flavors of a meat lover’s pizza to a delicious pasta bake.

Ingredients

Pasta

12 ounces tortellini pasta

Meat Mixture

1/2 pound Italian ground sausage
1 pound ground beef
1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
1/2 cup cooked chopped bacon
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Other

24 ounces pizza sauce
2 cups mozzarella cheese
Sliced pepperoni (as desired)

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Instructions

Boil Tortellini: Cook the tortellini pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Once done, drain the pasta thoroughly and set aside to be added later.
Cook Meat and Veggies: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions and sauté until they become soft and translucent. Then add the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking them up and cooking until fully browned and crumbly. Stir in minced garlic and Italian seasoning for added flavor. Drain off any excess grease, then return the meat mixture to the skillet. Add the cooked chopped bacon and mix well.
Combine with Sauce and Pasta: Pour the pizza sauce into the skillet with the meat mixture and stir to combine evenly. Gently fold in the cooked tortellini, making sure the pasta is well coated with the sauce and meat mixture. Let the skillet simmer on low heat until everything is heated through and flavors meld together.
Add Cheese and Pepperoni: Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the tortellini mixture. Arrange sliced pepperoni on top of the cheese as desired. Cover the skillet with a lid, turn off the heat, and let the residual warmth gently melt the cheese and warm the pepperoni.
Serve: Once the cheese has melted, remove the lid and serve the Meat Lovers Pizza Tortellini hot. Optionally garnish with fresh herbs like basil or parsley for added color and flavor.

Notes

You can substitute any type of stuffed tortellini such as cheese or spinach filled depending on preference.
For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes when cooking the meat.
Make sure to drain excess grease after browning meat to avoid the dish becoming too oily.
This dish can be prepared ahead and reheated, though topping with fresh cheese before serving keeps it melty.
To make it gluten free, use gluten-free tortellini and confirm all ingredients including sauce are gluten free.