Cheesy Tortelleni Ricotta Spinach Bake With Herby Breadcrumbs

1. 1

   Brown ground beef until cooked, breaking up into small pieces. Remove from pan.

2. 2

   Saute the chopped onion in olive oil until softened. Add garlic and cook briefly. Add the can of chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaf, crushed red pepper, sugar and salt and pepper to taste. Cook until tomatoes are reduced and sauce thickens.

3. 3

   Add the cooked ground beef to the tomato sauce. Add 3 tablespoons of the ricotta cheese and stir until combined. Add the fresh spinach and cook until wilted.

4. 4

   Mix the remainder of the ricotta cheese with the egg, asiago cheese, dried Italian herbs, and salt and pepper.

5. 5

   In a deep casserole pan, put down some of the sauce on the bottom. Add a layer of tortellini, then add dollops of the ricotta mixture. Sprinkle with 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese.

6. 6

   Keep layering sauce, tortellini and cheese until casserole is full. Sauce should be the last layer.

7. 7

   Combine panko breadcrumbs, dried Italian herbs, salt and pepper. Add butter and mix until combined.

8. 8

   Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top of the casserole. Bake at 350 degrees until sauce is bubbly and breadcrumbs are browned.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.