Description
The ultimate solution for busy weeknights. Hearty ground beef, tender cheese-filled tortellini, and vibrant fresh spinach are tied together with a luxurious garlic butter sauce in this rich, savory one-pan skillet meal.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1 package (20 oz) refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach, 1 cup beef broth
- 3 cloves garlic (minced), 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
Brown: Heat olive oil in a deep skillet. Brown the ground beef, breaking it into crumbles until fully cooked.
Season: Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Sauté 1 minute until fragrant.
Simmer: Add tortellini and beef broth. Cover and simmer 5–7 minutes until pasta is tender and liquid has reduced.
Emulsify: Stir in butter until melted and glossy. Add spinach and stir 1–2 minutes until just wilted.
Finish: Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and stir until melted. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Notes
The Perfect Sear: Let the beef sit undisturbed for a minute to develop a caramelized ‘fond’ on the pan for deeper flavor.
Pasta Choice: Use refrigerated tortellini rather than dried; it has a superior pillowy texture and cooks much faster.
Liquid Control: If the broth evaporates before the tortellini is tender, add an extra splash (1/4 cup) of broth or water.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15–20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet / Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 515
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 920
- Fat: 32
- Saturated Fat: 14
- Unsaturated Fat: 18
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 34
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 28
- Cholesterol: 115
Keywords: garlic butter beef tortellini, one pan tortellini recipe, beef and spinach pasta, cheese tortellini with ground beef, 20 minute weeknight dinners