Pizza Tortellini Skillet

Name: Pizza Tortellini Skillet with Ground Beef
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1 tsp Italian seasoning; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; salt, to taste; black pepper, to taste; 1/4 cup pepperoni, chopped; 1 tbsp minced garlic; 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce; 4 oz cream cheese; 1 (19 oz) bag frozen cheese tortellini; 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese; 1/4 cup pepperoni slices; 1 tsp dried parsley, for garnish

Pizza Tortellini Skillet is a one-pan Italian-American dinner combining ground beef, cheese tortellini, pepperoni, and creamy marinara that comes together in 20 minutes, making it an ideal quick weeknight meal for families.

🌍Italian-American 🏷️Pizza tortellini 🏷️Skillet dinner 🏷️One-pan meal 🏷️Weeknight dinner Comfort food

🏷️

🏷️Kid-friendly

-0:00

cookinginthemidwestonTikTok

Total

20 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$26–$43

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by cookinginthemidwest

-0:00

cookinginthemidwestonTikTok

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup pepperoni, chopped
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
4 oz cream cheese
1 (19 oz) bag frozen cheese tortellini
2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
1/4 cup pepperoni slices
1 tsp dried parsley, for garnishoptional

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Instructions

1
In a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef.
2
Season the beef with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Break up the meat and cook until browned.
3
Add the chopped pepperoni and minced garlic, and stir to combine.
4
Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
5
Pour in the marinara sauce and add the cream cheese. Stir continuously until the cream cheese is fully melted and incorporated into the sauce.
6
Add the frozen tortellini to the skillet and stir to coat everything in the sauce.
7
Cover the skillet with a lid and let it simmer for a few minutes, until the tortellini is cooked through and tender.
8
Uncover the skillet and top with shredded cheese and pepperoni slices.
9
Transfer the skillet to the oven and broil for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly crisped.
10
Remove from the oven, garnish with dried parsley if desired, and serve hot.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Brown the ground beef thoroughly before adding seasonings to ensure proper texture and flavor development.
Stir the cream cheese into the warm sauce off the heat or on low heat to prevent separation and lumps.
Cook the tortellini separately and add it at the end to prevent overcooking and mushiness in the skillet.
Top with extra cheese just before serving and let it melt slightly for the best pizza-like texture.

Substitutions

Ground beef → ground Italian sausage or ground turkey (adjust salt accordingly)
Marinara sauce → pizza sauce or vodka sauce (maintains Italian-American flavor profile)
Cream cheese → ricotta or sour cream (affects richness; use 3 oz ricotta for similar texture)
Pepperoni → Italian sausage pieces or diced ham (maintains savory, meaty element)

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water or sauce to restore creaminess.

Equipment

large skillet (12-inch preferred) · pot for cooking tortellini

Common Questions

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the ground beef mixture and store it separately from the cooked tortellini. Combine and reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water or sauce when ready to serve.

What type of tortellini works best?

Cheese tortellini is traditional for this recipe, but meat-filled tortellini also works well. Use fresh or frozen; frozen requires no thawing and cooks in the same time.

Can I substitute the ground beef?

Ground Italian sausage, ground turkey, or ground chicken are good substitutes. Adjust seasoning as needed since sausage may already contain Italian spices.

How do I prevent the cream cheese from curdling?

Add cream cheese to the sauce off heat or on low heat, stirring constantly until melted. Ensure the marinara isn't boiling when you incorporate it.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes, double all ingredients and use a larger skillet or cook in batches. Cooking time may increase slightly depending on skillet size and heat distribution.