Easy Pizza Tortellini Skillet
If you’re craving pizza and pasta, our Easy Pizza Tortellini Skillet is the perfect fix! This one-pan dish mixes tender cheese tortellini with all the best pizza toppings like sausage, gooey mozzarella, and colorful bell peppers in a rich marinara sauce. It’s a simple, indulgent dinner that’s perfect for busy nights or a cozy family meal, and it’s ready in just 30 minutes! No fuss, just a delicious and satisfying meal that everyone will love.
INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED:
- 1 lb Ground Beef (80% Lean): Lean ground beef provides a rich, meaty flavor and texture without too much excess fat, making it perfect for browning and blending with other ingredients.
- 1 Cup Onion (chopped): Chopped onions add a sweet and savory depth to the skillet, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the dish.
- 1 Tsp Garlic (minced): Minced garlic infuses the dish with a robust, aromatic flavor that complements the beef and adds a touch of zing.
- 1 Tsp Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs such as oregano, basil, and thyme, this seasoning brings a classic Italian flavor to the skillet, tying together the pasta and pizza elements.
- 1/2 Tsp Salt: A pinch of salt helps to enhance and balance the flavors of the dish, seasoning both the meat and the sauce.
- 1/4 Tsp Black Pepper: Ground black pepper adds a mild heat and sharpness, boosting the overall taste of the dish.
- (1) 24oz Marinara Sauce: Rich and tangy marinara sauce forms the base of the skillet, providing a robust tomato flavor that coats the tortellini and other ingredients.
- 4 oz Cream Cheese (1/2 Brick): Cream cheese adds a creamy texture and slight tanginess, blending with the marinara to create a luscious sauce.
- (1) 19oz Bag Frozen Tortellini: Cheese-filled tortellini serve as the hearty base of the dish, offering a soft, cheesy bite that pairs perfectly with the pizza flavors.
- 20 Pepperoni Slices (cut in half): Pepperoni slices add a savory, spicy kick to the skillet, enhancing the pizza-like quality with their bold, meaty flavor.
- 1 Brick Mozzarella Cheese (shredded): Shredded mozzarella melts beautifully over the skillet, creating a gooey, cheesy topping that ties together the pizza and pasta elements.
HOW DO YOU PREPARE PIZZA TORTELLINI?
Time needed: 45 minutes
- Cook Beef and Aromatics:
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up into small crumbles, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook until the onions are softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Seasoning, Sauce, and Cream Cheese
Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for an additional 1 minute, allowing the spices to meld with the meat and aromatics.
Pour in the marinara sauce, stirring well to combine with the beef mixture. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
Cut the cream cheese into smaller chunks and add them to the skillet. Stir until the cream cheese is fully melted and integrated into the sauce, creating a creamy texture. - Add Tortellini:
Stir in the frozen tortellini, ensuring they are well coated with the sauce. Cover the skillet and cook for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tortellini are heated through and tender. - Add Pepperoni and Mozzarella:
Uncover the skillet and scatter the halved pepperoni slices over the top of the tortellini mixture. Stir gently to distribute the pepperoni evenly.
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the skillet. Cover and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. - Serve:
Remove from heat and let the skillet sit for a couple of minutes. Serve hot, garnished with additional Italian seasoning or fresh basil if desired. Enjoy the hearty flavors of this pizza-pasta fusion!
FAQ – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Yes, you can use fresh tortellini. Fresh tortellini will cook faster than frozen, so you may need to reduce the cooking time to about 5-7 minutes, or until they are tender and heated through.
You can use ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage instead of ground beef. If using sausage, remove the casings before browning. Adjust cooking times as needed for different proteins.
To make a vegetarian version, simply omit the ground beef and replace it with plant-based ground meat or extra vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, and spinach. Use a marinara sauce that’s free of meat products.
For a lower-carb option, replace the tortellini with zucchini noodles or steamed cauliflower florets. Ensure the sauce and toppings are also low in carbs.
Optional Add-ins and Variations
- Sliced Bell Peppers: Add colorful bell pepper slices for a sweet and slightly crunchy texture, boosting the nutritional value and adding a classic pizza topping twist.
- Sliced Mushrooms: Include sliced mushrooms for an earthy flavor and a tender bite. They pair well with the marinara sauce and enhance the dish’s umami profile.
- Spinach or Kale: Stir in fresh spinach or kale towards the end of cooking for a nutritious, leafy green addition. These greens wilt quickly and add a nice contrast to the rich flavors.
- Olives: Add black or green olives for a tangy, briny flavor that complements the savory elements of the dish. They add a Mediterranean touch and extra depth.
- Basil or Parsley: Sprinkle fresh basil or parsley over the finished dish for a burst of color and a fresh, herbaceous note that brightens the overall flavor.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: For a spicy kick, incorporate crushed red pepper flakes. They add a hint of heat that enhances the overall taste and can be adjusted to your spice preference.
LOOKING FOR MORE DINNER RECIPES? TRY THESE!
If you are craving comfort foods you can try a few of our other recipes. One of my favorite recipes is the Marry Me Again Pasta Chicken! We also have a great recipe for Chantilly Mashed Potatoes for a side dish. Another option is this easy Parmesan-Crusted Ranch Chicken and the most amazing Balsamic Glazed Brussel Sprouts with Bacon!
HOW DO YOU STORE AND REHEAT LEFTOVER PIZZA SKILLET?
When it comes to storing and reheating leftover Pizza Tortellini Skillet, keeping it tasty is easy! Simply transfer the cooled leftovers into an airtight container and pop it in the fridge—it’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, warm it up on the stove with a splash of water or marinara sauce, stirring occasionally until it’s heated through. Or, use the microwave—just cover loosely and heat in short bursts, stirring in between. Sprinkling a bit of extra cheese on top before reheating adds that gooey, cheesy goodness back in!
Can LEFTOVER PIZZA SKILLET DINNER BE FROZEN FOR LATER CONSUMPTION?
Freezing leftover Pizza Tortellini Skillet is a great way to save it for later enjoyment. Once it’s cooled down, transfer it into a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag, squeezing out any excess air before sealing. Don’t forget to label it with the date and contents. When you’re ready to eat it again, thaw the skillet overnight in the fridge. Then, reheat it on the stove over medium heat, adding a bit of water or marinara sauce to keep it moist. Stir occasionally until it’s heated through, and you’re ready to dig in! This method keeps all the flavors intact for a delicious meal whenever you’re craving it.
Easy Pizza Tortellini Skillet
Equipment
- Large Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 lbs. Ground Beef (80% Lean)
- 1 Cup Onion (chopped)
- 1 Tsp Garlic (minced)
- 1 Tsp Italian Seasoning
- 1/2 Tsp Salt
- 1/4 Tsp Black Pepper
- (1) 24oz Marinara Sauce
- 4 oz Cream Cheese (1/2 Brick)
- (1) 19oz Bag Frozen Tortellini
- 20 Pepperoni Slices (cut in half)
- 1 Brick Mozzarella Cheese (shredded)
Instructions
- Cook the Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up into small crumbles, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Add Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook until the onions are softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Season: Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for an additional 1 minute, allowing the spices to meld with the meat and aromatics.
- Add Sauce: Pour in the marinara sauce, stirring well to combine with the beef mixture. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
- Incorporate Cream Cheese: Cut the cream cheese into smaller chunks and add them to the skillet. Stir until the cream cheese is fully melted and integrated into the sauce, creating a creamy texture.
- Add Tortellini: Stir in the frozen tortellini, ensuring they are well coated with the sauce. Cover the skillet and cook for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tortellini are heated through and tender.
- Add Pepperoni: Uncover the skillet and scatter the halved pepperoni slices over the top of the tortellini mixture. Stir gently to distribute the pepperoni evenly.
- Add Mozzarella: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the skillet. Cover and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from heat and let the skillet sit for a couple of minutes. Serve hot, garnished with additional Italian seasoning or fresh basil if desired. Enjoy the hearty flavors of this pizza-pasta fusion!
Everyone loved it and was very easy to make