Description
Meat Lovers Pizza Tortellini is a hearty and savory pasta dish combining cheesy tortellini with a delicious blend of Italian sausage, ground beef, bacon, and pepperoni in a rich pizza sauce. This comforting skillet meal offers all the flavors of a classic meat lover’s pizza in a warm, satisfying pasta form, perfect for a family dinner or casual gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces tortellini pasta
Meats
- 1/2 pound Italian ground sausage
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup cooked chopped bacon
- Sliced pepperoni (as desired)
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
Seasonings & Sauces
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 24 ounces pizza sauce
Dairy
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese
Oils
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Cook the Tortellini: Boil the tortellini according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain well and set aside to use later in the skillet.
- Sauté Meats and Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet, cooking and breaking up the meat until browned and crumbly. Incorporate the minced garlic and Italian seasoning, stirring for an additional minute until fragrant. Drain off any excess grease from the skillet, then add the cooked chopped bacon back into the meat mixture.
- Add Sauce and Tortellini: Pour the pizza sauce into the skillet with the meat mixture, stirring to combine. Gently fold in the cooked tortellini, mixing carefully to coat the pasta evenly with sauce and meat. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for a few minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Top with Cheese and Pepperoni: Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the tortellini mixture. Arrange sliced pepperoni over the cheese layer. Cover the skillet with a lid, turn off the heat, and let it sit for 5-7 minutes so the cheese melts perfectly.
- Serve: Once the cheese has melted, serve the Meat Lovers Pizza Tortellini hot. Garnish with fresh herbs like basil or parsley if desired for added color and freshness.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh or frozen tortellini depending on availability.
- Adjust the amount of pepperoni to your preference or omit for less meat.
- Use low-fat mozzarella for a lighter option.
- For extra spice, add crushed red pepper flakes when sautéing the meats.
- Make sure to drain the cooked meat mixture well to avoid excess grease.
