Description
This hearty Meat Lovers Pizza Tortellini is a comforting dish that combines cheesy tortellini with a savory blend of Italian sausage, ground beef, bacon, and pepperoni, all simmered in rich pizza sauce and topped with melted mozzarella. Perfect for a family dinner, this recipe brings the flavors of a classic meat pizza into a warm, satisfying pasta meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Pasta
- 12 ounces tortellini pasta
- 1/2 pound Italian ground sausage
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup cooked chopped bacon
- Sliced pepperoni (as desired)
Vegetables and Seasoning
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Other
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 24 ounces pizza sauce
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Tortellini: Boil the tortellini according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to use in the meat sauce mixture.
- Prepare the Meat Mixture: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onions and sauté until they become soft and translucent. Add ground beef and Italian sausage, cooking thoroughly until browned and crumbled. Stir in minced garlic and Italian seasoning for flavor. Drain off any excess grease, then return the mixture to the skillet. Add the cooked chopped bacon and mix well.
- Combine and Simmer: Pour the pizza sauce into the skillet with the meat mixture and stir everything together. Gently fold in the cooked tortellini to combine. Allow the mixture to simmer on medium heat until the flavors meld and the sauce is heated through.
- Top and Melt: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the skillet mixture. Arrange sliced pepperoni over the cheese. Cover the skillet and turn off the heat, allowing the residual warmth to melt the cheese perfectly.
- Serve: Serve the Meat Lovers Pizza Tortellini hot, optionally garnished with fresh herbs like basil or parsley for an extra touch of color and flavor.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, use spicy Italian sausage and add crushed red pepper flakes.
- You can substitute frozen tortellini with fresh if available, adjusting cooking time accordingly.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- Use low-fat mozzarella cheese to reduce fat content without sacrificing flavor.
- This recipe can be doubled for larger gatherings with a suitably sized skillet or cooked in batches.
