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Garlic Butter Beef and Spinach Tortellini


  • Author: rodrigo Stone
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

Garlic Butter Beef and Spinach Tortellini is a rich, savory one-pan pasta dish that delivers serious flavor in under 30 minutes. Juicy seasoned ground beef is tossed with cheese-filled tortellini, fresh spinach, and a luscious garlic butter sauce — making it the perfect cozy meal for busy nights or when you want something indulgent but easy.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (85–90% lean)

  • 1 (20 oz) package refrigerated cheese tortellini

  • 2 cups fresh spinach

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

  • Salt & pepper to taste

  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)

  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes


Instructions

  1. Cook the tortellini:
    Boil tortellini in salted water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/4 cup pasta water.

  2. Brown the beef:
    In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Add ground beef and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess fat if needed. Push beef to one side of the skillet.

  3. Make garlic butter sauce:
    Add butter to the empty side of the skillet. Once melted, stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

  4. Combine everything:
    Add the drained tortellini and spinach to the skillet. Toss everything together gently, allowing the spinach to wilt and flavors to combine. If needed, stir in a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.

  5. Finish & serve:
    Sprinkle in Parmesan and red pepper flakes (if using). Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve warm, garnished with extra cheese.

Notes

Swap beef for ground turkey or sausage for variation. You can use frozen tortellini — just cook it as directed first. Add mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes for extra texture and flavor. Great as leftovers too — just reheat with a splash of broth or cream.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes