Cheese Tortellini Bake (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

01 - One and a quarter pounds of cooked and drained cheese tortellini.
02 - A single teaspoon of oregano, dried.
03 - A quarter cup of fresh basil, thinly sliced.
04 - A pound of ground beef.
05 - Two teaspoons of dried parsley.
06 - A teaspoon of olive oil.
07 - Half a cup of chopped onion.
08 - One can of crushed tomatoes, 28 ounces.
09 - One teaspoon of dried thyme.
10 - A clove of minced garlic.
11 - Salt and pepper, add for taste.
12 - Two cups of shredded mozzarella cheese.

# Instructions:

01 - Turn your oven on and set it to 375°F. Get a 9x13 dish ready by greasing it.
02 - Warm up the olive oil in a big pan. Toss in the beef with some salt and pepper. Stir and break up the meat while you cook it till it browns.
03 - Add garlic and onion to your pan. Stir and cook until the onions are clear and the garlic smells tasty.
04 - Sprinkle in the thyme, oregano, and parsley. Cook for another minute or two.
05 - Pour the crushed tomatoes into the pan and stir. Let everything simmer gently for 10-15 minutes so the flavors come together.
06 - Mix in the fresh basil and take the pan off the heat to cool slightly.
07 - Get a large bowl and combine the pasta with the meat sauce. Stir until the pasta is all coated.
08 - Spread the pasta mixture evenly in your greased dish. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella generously on top.
09 - Place the dish in the oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Wait a bit before digging in.

# Notes:

01 - Let the meal sit for 5-10 minutes before you serve it.
02 - For the best result, go with fresh basil.

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