Meat Lovers Pizza Tortellini Recipe

Meat Lovers Pizza Tortellini is an innovative dish that combines two beloved foods: meat lover’s pizza and cheesy tortellini. Imagine the savory, spiced meats of a pizza — such as sausage, pepperoni, and bacon — served alongside the tender, cheesy pasta pockets of tortellini, all tossed together in a rich, tangy tomato sauce with melty cheese and fresh herbs. This recipe is a game-changer, offering all the flavor of your favorite pizza in the comfort of a pasta dish.

This hearty and satisfying dish can be made in about 30 minutes and is perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or even a pizza party twist. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or simply indulging in a delicious meal, Meat Lovers Pizza Tortellini is sure to become a new favorite.

In this recipe, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know: from selecting the ingredients to step-by-step instructions, helpful tips, variations, and even nutritional information.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s dive into the steps that will guide you in making your Meat Lovers Pizza Tortellini from start to finish. This recipe is straightforward, with easy-to-follow instructions that result in a mouth-watering, cheesy, meaty dish.

Preparing the Meats

1. Cook the Italian sausage:
   • Start by heating a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage to the pan, breaking it up into smaller pieces as it cooks. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the sausage is browned and fully cooked through. Remove any excess fat from the pan, and set the sausage aside.
2. Cook the bacon:
   • If you’re using raw bacon, cook it in the same skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Drain the cooked bacon on paper towels and set aside. If you’re using pre-cooked bacon bits, simply add them to the skillet once the sausage is cooked.
3. Cook the pepperoni:
   • Add the pepperoni slices to the skillet and sauté them for 2-3 minutes until they begin to crisp up and release some of their oils. This step adds more flavor to the dish. Set the pepperoni aside.
4. Sauté the onions and garlic:
   • In the same skillet, add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.

Cooking the Tortellini

1. Boil the tortellini:
   • While the meats and vegetables are cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the tortellini to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions (usually around 3-5 minutes for fresh tortellini or 6-8 minutes for frozen).
   • Once cooked, drain the tortellini in a colander and set it aside.

Preparing the Sauce

1. Create the pizza sauce:
   • In the same pot or Dutch oven that you used to cook the tortellini, add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Stir the ingredients together until well combined.
   • Add the dried oregano, basil, crushed red pepper flakes, and sugar. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
   • Let the sauce simmer on low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and the flavors meld together.

Combining Everything

1. Add the cooked meats:
   • Once the sauce has thickened, add the cooked sausage, pepperoni, and bacon bits to the sauce. Stir to incorporate the meats into the sauce.
2. Combine the tortellini:
   • Add the cooked tortellini to the sauce, gently stirring to coat the pasta with the rich, meaty tomato sauce.
3. Melt the cheese:
   • Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the tortellini mixture. Stir gently to help the cheese melt into the sauce. If you want extra melty cheese, you can cover the pot with a lid for 2-3 minutes to trap the heat and melt the cheese faster.
4. Simmer:
   • Let the dish simmer for another 5 minutes, ensuring the tortellini is heated through and the cheese is fully melted.

3.5 Final Touches

1. Garnish and serve:
   • Before serving, garnish the Meat Lovers Pizza Tortellini with fresh basil leaves for a pop of color and freshness.
   • Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips for Success

• Use fresh or frozen tortellini: Fresh tortellini will cook faster and offer a more delicate texture, but frozen tortellini works just as well in this dish. Just be sure to cook it according to the package instructions.
• Mix and match the meats: Feel free to experiment with different meats like ham, salami, or even ground beef if you’re not a fan of sausage or pepperoni.
• Spice it up: If you like heat, don’t be afraid to add extra red pepper flakes or even some fresh diced jalapeños to the sauce.
• Cheese options: While mozzarella and Parmesan are classic choices, you can also use provolone, fontina, or even a blend of Italian cheeses for more depth of flavor.
• Make it ahead: You can prepare the meat sauce and cook the tortellini a day ahead. Just store the sauce and pasta separately in the fridge and combine them when you’re ready to serve. Heat the sauce before adding the pasta and cheese.

Variations of Meat Lovers Pizza Tortellini

While the base recipe is already full of flavor, here are some variations you can try to customize the dish to your liking:

1. Vegetarian Version:

• Skip the meats and use vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, and onions for a veggie-packed version. You can also add extra cheese for a richer dish.

2. Spicy Meat Lovers:

• Add spicy Italian sausage, extra red pepper flakes, or even a splash of hot sauce for an added kick. You could also add a jalapeño or two for extra heat.

3. BBQ Meat Lovers Tortellini:

• Swap the tomato sauce for barbecue sauce, giving the dish a sweet and tangy twist. Add grilled chicken, pulled pork, or sausage for a smoky flavor.

Troubleshooting Common Mistakes

1. The sauce is too runny:

• If your sauce turns out too thin, simply let it simmer uncovered for a few more minutes to reduce and thicken. Alternatively, you can add a tablespoon of tomato paste to help thicken it up.

2. Tortellini is mushy:

• Be sure not to overcook your tortellini. Follow the package instructions closely and remove the tortellini from the boiling water as soon as it floats to the top.

3. Cheese isn’t melting well:

• If your cheese isn’t melting smoothly, cover the pot with a lid for a couple of minutes to create steam and help the cheese melt evenly. Also, try grating the cheese yourself for better meltability.

Conclusion

This Meat Lovers Pizza Tortellini recipe combines the best of both worlds — the bold flavors of a meat lover’s pizza and the comforting richness of cheesy tortellini. With its hearty mix of meats, savory sauce, and melted cheese, it’s the perfect dish to satisfy your cravings. Whether you’re serving it for a family dinner or preparing it for a special occasion, this dish is guaranteed to impress everyone at the table. Enjoy every bite of this indulgent, satisfying, and flavor-packed meal!

Yield: 4-6

Meat Lovers Pizza Tortellini Recipe

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Meat Lovers Pizza Tortellini is an innovative dish that combines two beloved foods: meat lover’s pizza and cheesy tortellini. Imagine the savory, spiced meats of a pizza — such as sausage, pepperoni, and bacon — served alongside the tender, cheesy pasta pockets of tortellini, all tossed together in a rich, tangy tomato sauce with melty cheese and fresh herbs. This recipe is a game-changer, offering all the flavor of your favorite pizza in the comfort of a pasta dish.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
• 1/2 lb Italian sausage (bulk, not in casings)
• 1/2 lb pepperoni slices (or diced)
• 1/2 lb cooked bacon, crumbled (about 4-5 strips)
• 1 cup pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil or parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Cook the tortellini: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the tortellini according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and set aside.
2. Cook the sausage: While the tortellini cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking it up into smaller pieces as it cooks (about 5-7 minutes). Remove excess grease if needed.
3. Add the pepperoni and bacon: Add the pepperoni slices and crumbled bacon to the skillet with the sausage. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat through and allow the pepperoni to crisp up a bit.
4. Combine with pizza sauce: Lower the heat and stir in the pizza sauce, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for about 3-5 minutes to blend the flavors.
5. Add tortellini: Gently fold the cooked tortellini into the meat sauce mixture. Stir to coat the pasta in the sauce and meats.
6. Add cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan over the tortellini mixture. Cover the skillet with a lid and let the cheese melt for about 3-5 minutes, until it's all melted and bubbly.
7. Serve: Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired and serve hot.

Notes

• Meat options: Feel free to swap or add other meats like ham, ground beef, or chicken for even more variety.
• Spice it up: If you like a bit of heat, add red pepper flakes to the sauce or use spicy sausage.
• Cheese choices: You can mix in other cheeses like provolone or a pizza blend for a different twist.
• Make it ahead: This can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for a day or two. Reheat on the stove with a little extra pizza sauce if needed.