Tortellini Lasagna Skillet Recipe

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients

This recipe was developed for its original yield. Ingredient amounts are automatically adjusted, but cooking times and steps remain unchanged. Note that not all recipes scale perfectly.

Original recipe (1X) yields 8 servings

• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 Italian sausage links
• 1 small onion, diced
• 6 ounces sliced mushrooms (optional)
• 1 pound cheese tortellini
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (8 ounce) can roasted garlic tomato sauce
• 3/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 4 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
• Chopped parsley, for garnish

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
2. In a deep skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and sausage, breaking up the meat with a spatula, until fully browned, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
4. Add the mushrooms (if using) and continue to cook for another 5 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
5. Stir in the tortellini, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, roasted garlic tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, and granulated garlic. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Spread the mixture evenly in the skillet and sprinkle the shredded mozzarella over the top.
7. Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is melted and golden brown, about 35 minutes.
8. Remove from the oven and garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

• Calories: 495
• Total Fat: 22g (29% DV)
• Saturated Fat: 9g (47% DV)
• Cholesterol: 94mg (31% DV)
• Sodium: 1090mg (47% DV)
• Total Carbohydrate: 42g (15% DV)
• Dietary Fiber: 5g (18% DV)
• Total Sugars: 9g
• Protein: 33g (66% DV)
• Vitamin C: 21mg (23% DV)
• Calcium: 271mg (21% DV)
• Iron: 5mg (28% DV)
• Potassium: 932mg (20% DV)

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Nutrient information is based on available data; consult a professional if following a medically restrictive diet.

The Story Behind Tortellini Lasagna Skillet

The Tortellini Lasagna Skillet is a modern twist on traditional Italian comfort food. While lasagna has been a staple in Italian households for centuries, this skillet version emerged as a convenient, one-pan alternative. By combining cheese-filled tortellini with classic lasagna flavors, home cooks can achieve the richness of lasagna without the layered assembly, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners.

Regional Variations and Influences

This dish reflects influences from Emilia-Romagna, the Italian region renowned for tortellini. Traditionally, tortellini are filled with a mixture of meat, cheese, or vegetables and served in broth. However, the skillet adaptation blends northern Italian pasta traditions with a more universal baked style, incorporating tomato sauces and mozzarella cheese. Regional adaptations may include using different sausage types, local cheeses, or even adding spinach and herbs to enhance flavor profiles.

How It Differs From Similar Dishes

While it shares similarities with classic lasagna and baked pasta dishes, the key difference lies in the use of tortellini. Unlike flat lasagna noodles, tortellini are stuffed pasta, providing a unique combination of noodle and filling in every bite. This eliminates the need for ricotta layering and gives a richer, creamier texture throughout the dish. Additionally, cooking it in a skillet rather than a baking dish allows for a faster, more evenly heated meal with less cleanup.

Typical Serving Occasions

Tortellini Lasagna Skillet is versatile and often served as a hearty family dinner or during casual gatherings. It is particularly popular in homes that favor convenient, one-pot meals. Some Italian-American restaurants also feature this dish as a comfort-food entre, often paired with garlic bread or a crisp salad. Its appeal lies in its simplicity and ability to feed a crowd without the fuss of traditional lasagna preparation.

Interesting Facts

• The recipe exemplifies the fusion of Italian tradition with modern convenience cooking.
• Using cheese tortellini instead of lasagna noodles reduces preparation time by nearly half.
• Although baked like lasagna, the skillet version allows for more flexible ingredient substitutions, making it ideal for seasonal or locally sourced produce.
• Its popularity in the United States has grown significantly since the early 2000s, as more home cooks sought easy ways to recreate Italian flavors without elaborate steps.
• Some variations include adding bchamel sauce for extra creaminess, making it closer to a traditional Emilia-Romagna lasagna experience.

FAQ about Tortellini Lasagna Skillet Recipe

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