Description
Succulent meat lovers pizza tortellini combines classic Italian pasta with robust pizza flavors. Hearty ingredients and rich textures create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
- 2 cups marinara or pizza sauce
- 1 cup pepperoni slices, halved
- ½ lb (225 g) Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled
- ½ cup cooked and crumbled bacon (about 6 strips)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- Diced green bell peppers
- Sliced black olives
- Chopped fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
- Preheat: Warm the oven to 375F (190C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure smooth food release.
- Cook Pasta: Boil salted water and cook tortellini according to package instructions. Drain and reserve, maintaining pasta’s delicate integrity.
- Sauce Composition: Blend marinara with crumbled sausage, bacon fragments, and half the pepperoni in a large mixing bowl, creating a robust flavor foundation.
- Layering Technique: Spread a thin sauce base in the baking dish, arranging cooked tortellini and covering completely with remaining sauce mixture.
- Cheese and Topping Application: Distribute mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly across the surface. Strategically place remaining pepperoni for classic pizza-inspired aesthetic.
- Baking Process: Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and continue baking 10-15 minutes until cheese becomes golden and effervescent.
- Finishing Touch: Optional garnish with black olives, diced bell peppers, or herb sprinkles. Serve immediately with crusty garlic bread or crisp salad.
Notes
- Cook Pasta Al Dente: Boil tortellini just until tender to prevent mushiness, ensuring perfect texture that absorbs sauce without becoming soggy.
- Manage Meat Fat: Drain excess grease from sausage and bacon to prevent an overly greasy dish, maintaining a balanced flavor profile and lighter consistency.
- Cheese Distribution Strategy: Spread cheese evenly across the surface for consistent melting, creating a golden, bubbling top that provides maximum flavor in every bite.
- Customize for Dietary Needs: Substitute meats with plant-based alternatives or use turkey sausage for leaner options, making the dish adaptable for different dietary preferences without compromising taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg