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Delicious Garlic Butter Beef Tortellini in a creamy sauce with savory beef and fresh spinach.

Garlic Butter Beef Tortellini

A quick and delicious meal featuring cheese tortellini, ground beef, and a rich garlic butter sauce, perfect for busy nights.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 550
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 12 oz Cheese tortellini Pick refrigerated or frozen.
  • 1 lb Ground beef Use 85-90% lean for best results.
  • 4 Tbsp Butter Unsalted is preferred.
  • 4 cloves Fresh garlic Slice or mince, do not burn.
  • 1/2 cup Chicken or beef broth To loosen the sauce.
  • 1 Tbsp Lemon juice Brightens the flavor.
  • 1 tsp Red pepper flakes Optional, adjust to taste.
  • 1/4 cup Fresh parsley Chopped, for garnish.
  • 1 Tbsp Olive oil For browning ground beef.
  • to taste Salt and pepper Season to preference.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the tortellini just until they float and turn tender; check the package for timing.
  2. Scoop out 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the tortellini.
  3. While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high with a small amount of olive oil.
  4. Add the ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and sear until browned. Transfer to a plate, leaving some fat in the skillet.
Cooking
  1. Drop the heat to medium, add butter to the skillet until it melts and starts bubbling, then add the minced garlic.
  2. Stir until the garlic is lightly golden and fragrant.
  3. Stir in a splash of broth and lemon juice. Simmer for 30 seconds.
  4. Add the drained tortellini and browned beef to the skillet, tossing gently to combine. If the sauce is tight, add a bit of reserved pasta water.
  5. Remove from heat, sprinkle with Parmesan and parsley, then adjust seasoning as needed before serving.

Notes

For added creaminess, stir in 1/4 cup of heavy cream at the end. You can also add sautéed veggies or swap proteins such as ground turkey or Italian sausage.