Garlic Butter Beef and Spinach Tortellini Recipe
This Garlic Butter Beef and Spinach Tortellini is a quick, satisfying one-pan meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or comforting dinners. It features rich ground beef, savory garlic butter, tender cheese tortellini, and fresh spinach all tossed together in under 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
-
1 tablespoon olive oil
-
1 pound ground beef
-
1 teaspoon salt
-
½ teaspoon black pepper
-
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
-
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
-
4 garlic cloves, minced
-
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
-
10 to 12 ounces cheese tortellini (fresh or refrigerated)
-
3 cups baby spinach
-
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for topping)
-
½ cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
-
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add tortellini and cook according to package directions. Drain, reserving ½ cup of pasta water. Set tortellini aside.
-
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula. Season with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook until browned, about 6–8 minutes.
-
Lower heat to medium. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant. Add butter and stir until melted and incorporated into the beef.
-
Add spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, about 2–3 minutes.
-
Add cooked tortellini and reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss everything together until well combined and heated through, about 2 minutes.
-
Stir in Parmesan cheese. Serve hot, topped with extra Parmesan and freshly cracked pepper if desired.
Notes
-
Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease, or drain fat after browning.
-
For a creamy variation, add ¼ cup heavy cream or cream cheese in step 5.
-
Substitute spinach with kale or arugula if desired.
-
Vegetarian? Omit the beef and use mushrooms or plant-based meat alternatives.