Description
This hearty Meat Lovers Pizza Tortellini combines tender tortellini pasta with a rich meat sauce, loaded with Italian sausage, ground beef, bacon, and pepperoni, all simmered in savory pizza sauce and topped with melted mozzarella for a delicious twist on classic pizza flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- Cook the Tortellini: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the tortellini according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the tortellini well and set aside.
- Prepare the Meat Mixture: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions and sauté until soft and translucent. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage and cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until browned and crumbled. Stir in minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Drain excess grease from the skillet.
- Add Bacon and Sauce: Return the drained meat mixture to the skillet if removed. Stir in the cooked chopped bacon. Pour in the pizza sauce and mix thoroughly to combine all the ingredients.
- Combine with Tortellini and Simmer: Gently fold the cooked tortellini into the meat sauce mixture. Reduce the heat to low and let everything simmer together until heated through and flavors meld, about 5 minutes.
- Top with Cheese and Pepperoni: Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the tortellini mixture. Arrange sliced pepperoni on top of the cheese. Cover the skillet with a lid and turn off the heat, allowing the residual heat to melt the cheese gently.
- Serve: Once the cheese is melted, serve the Meat Lovers Pizza Tortellini hot. Optionally garnish with fresh herbs such as basil or parsley for added color and flavor.
Notes
- To save time, use pre-cooked bacon or substitute with pancetta.
- For added spice, add red pepper flakes to the meat mixture while sautéing.
- Feel free to use cheese tortellini for extra cheesy flavor.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
- You can customize the meat with other favorites such as ham or salami.
