Cheesy Beef Tortellini Casserole With Basil Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375ºF (190ºC).
• Add a teaspoon of olive oil to a heavy saucepan and brown the beef over medium-high heat. Season with salt and pepper.
• Mix in the dried herbs. Move beef to one side of the hot pan and add in onions. Stir to soften, then add garlic.
• Mix in crushed tomatoes. Bring to a boil and cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and season with salt and pepper as necessary.
• Remove from heat.
• Spoon a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of a casserole dish. Layer as follows: tortellini, cheese, basil, sauce, tortellini, cheese, basil, sauce, and cheese.
• Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbling.
• Cool for several minutes and serve.
• Enjoy!

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease one 8-inch by 8-inch baking dish or, if making a vegetarian version and a meaty version, grease two approximately 4-inch by 8-inch baking dishes.
• Cook the tortellini to al dente, according to package directions. Drain.
• Add the sauce to a large bowl and stir in the mascarpone cheese, parsley, and thyme.
• If NOT adding beef to half, gently toss the cooked tortellini with the sauce and pour into the 8-inch by 8-inch baking dish. Proceed to step 6.
• If adding ground beef to half, brown the ground beef and drain. Add about 1 1/2 cups of sauce to the beef and stir. Add just under half of the tortellini to the sauce with the beef and add the rest of the tortellini to the remaining sauce in the bowl. Toss both gently until coated. Pour meaty version into one 4-inch by 8-inch baking dish and the vegetarian version into another.
• Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the top(s).
• Bake until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese melts, 25 - 30 minutes. Serve.