Description
This Beef Tortellini Alfredo is a rich and creamy Italian-American main course featuring cheese tortellini tossed in a luscious Alfredo sauce with savory ground beef, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Perfect for an easy yet indulgent dinner, this recipe combines tender pasta with a cheesy, flavorful meat sauce that comes together quickly on the stovetop.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound refrigerated or frozen cheese tortellini
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Garnish (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook tortellini: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the tortellini according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside carefully to avoid sticking.
- Brown the beef: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon to crumble it evenly. Drain any excess fat if necessary to avoid a greasy dish.
- Add seasoning and garlic: Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper into the browned beef. Cook for about 1 minute to release the flavors and toast the garlic slightly.
- Prepare Alfredo sauce base: Push the beef mixture to one side of the skillet and add the butter to the empty space. Allow the butter to melt fully before pouring in the heavy cream. Stir continuously to combine everything smoothly.
- Simmer and thicken sauce: Bring the cream and butter mixture to a gentle simmer, then stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Continue cooking and stirring for about 3 to 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes creamy.
- Melt in mozzarella: Add the shredded mozzarella cheese to the sauce, stirring constantly until it melts completely and the sauce becomes silky smooth.
- Toss tortellini in sauce: Return the cooked tortellini to the skillet with the Alfredo sauce and beef mixture. Gently toss to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy sauce. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes to heat everything through.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top if using. Serve the dish immediately while hot for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- For a spicy variation, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the beef along with the Italian seasoning.
- You can substitute ground Italian sausage for the ground beef to add a different depth of flavor.
- Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently to preserve creaminess.
