Garlic Butter Beef and Spinach Tortellini

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Garlic Butter Beef and Spinach Tortellini is the perfect weeknight dinner that combines tender cheese-filled pasta with savory ground beef, all coated in a luxurious garlic butter sauce. It’s quick enough for busy evenings but impressive enough for guests. The combination of flavors creates a restaurant-quality dish that comes together in just one pan, making it both delicious and practical.

Pure Comfort

There’s something incredibly satisfying about the way the garlic butter sauce clings to each tortellini, creating little pockets of flavor with every bite. The beef adds heartiness while the spinach brings freshness and color. This dish embodies comfort food at its finest warm, filling, and deeply satisfying without being overly heavy. It’s the kind of meal that makes you want to curl up on the couch afterward with a satisfied smile.

Ingredients

What You Need

• 1 lb cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 4 tablespoons butter, divided
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 4 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Time to Cook

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Servings: 4-6

Steps to Make It

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook tortellini according to package directions, usually 2-3 minutes for fresh or 5-7 minutes for frozen. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
2. While waiting for the water to boil, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
3. Add half the minced garlic and the diced onion to the beef. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
4. Season the beef mixture with half the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
5. Remove the beef mixture to a plate and set aside. In the same skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
6. Add the remaining garlic to the melted butter and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
7. Add the chopped spinach to the garlic butter and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
8. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
9. Return the beef mixture to the skillet and stir to combine with the spinach.
10. Add the cooked tortellini to the skillet and gently toss to coat in the sauce. If the mixture seems dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
11. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and the Parmesan cheese. Stir until the butter is melted and the cheese is incorporated into the sauce.
12. Sprinkle with the remaining Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes if using. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
13. Garnish with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese before serving.

Make It Perfect

For the best garlic butter sauce, make sure to add the garlic in stages some with the beef for depth of flavor and some later for that fresh garlic punch. When cooking the garlic in butter, keep the heat at medium to prevent burning, which can make the dish bitter. For the juiciest beef, don’t overcrowd the pan; if necessary, brown the meat in batches. Let the tortellini cook just until al dente as it will continue to cook slightly when added to the hot skillet.

Mix It Up

This recipe is wonderfully adaptable. Try using ground turkey or Italian sausage instead of beef for a different flavor profile. Not a fan of spinach? Substitute kale, Swiss chard, or even frozen peas. You can also experiment with different tortellini fillings mushroom, spinach and cheese, or even butternut squash tortellini would all work beautifully with the garlic butter sauce. For a spicier version, increase the red pepper flakes or add a dash of cayenne pepper.

Perfect Partners

Serve this Garlic Butter Beef and Spinach Tortellini with a simple side salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to balance the richness of the dish. A piece of crusty garlic bread is perfect for sopping up any extra sauce. For wine pairing, try a medium-bodied red like Chianti or Merlot, or a crisp white like Pinot Grigio. If you’re serving this for a dinner party, start with a light appetizer like bruschetta or a small charcuterie board to set the Italian theme.

Busy Day Hero

This one-pan wonder is a lifesaver on hectic days. You can have it on the table in about 30 minutes, and it’s substantial enough to satisfy even the hungriest family members. The protein from the beef and the carbs from the pasta create a balanced meal in a single dish. To save even more time, use pre-minced garlic and pre-washed spinach. You can also prep the onion and garlic earlier in the day or even the night before.

Work Ahead

Many components of this meal can be prepared in advance. Brown the beef with garlic and onions up to two days ahead and store in the refrigerator. The day of serving, just reheat the beef mixture, prepare the garlic butter sauce, and add the cooked tortellini and spinach. You can also measure out all dry ingredients and have them ready to go in separate containers, making assembly quick and effortless when it’s time to cook.

Save Some For Later

This Garlic Butter Beef and Spinach Tortellini reheats beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep or leftovers. Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of chicken broth or water to prevent the dish from drying out, then warm gently in a covered skillet over medium-low heat or microwave on 70% power. This dish doesn’t freeze well as the tortellini may become mushy upon thawing, so it’s best enjoyed fresh or within a few days.

Everyone’s Happy

This dish has universal appeal—kids love the cheesy tortellini while adults appreciate the sophisticated flavors of the garlic butter sauce. It’s both familiar and special, making it perfect for family dinners or casual entertaining. To make it even more kid-friendly, you can reduce or omit the red pepper flakes. For pickier eaters, you might consider chopping the spinach very finely so it blends into the sauce, providing nutrition without overwhelming the dish visually.

Good For You Too

Despite its indulgent taste, this dish includes several nutritious components. The spinach provides vitamins A and K, folate, and iron. Using lean ground beef reduces fat while still providing protein. To make it even healthier, opt for whole wheat or spinach tortellini for added fiber, and increase the vegetable content by adding diced bell peppers or mushrooms. You can also reduce the butter slightly and use part skim milk cheese to lower the calorie count without sacrificing flavor.

Easy Clean Up

One of the best things about this recipe is that it uses minimal cookware just one pot for the pasta and one large skillet for everything else. To make cleanup even easier, use a non-stick skillet and measure ingredients directly over the pan to avoid extra measuring cups. Line your prep area with parchment paper for quick disposal of trimmings and packaging. If you’re really looking to minimize dishes, serve the meal in pasta bowls that can go straight from table to dishwasher.

Switch It Up

The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility. For a vegetarian version, omit the beef and add sautéed mushrooms for a meaty texture. Create a creamy variation by adding 1/4 cup of heavy cream or cream cheese to the sauce. Make it extra garlicky by roasting a whole head of garlic and mashing it into the butter. For a Mediterranean twist, add sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and a sprinkle of feta cheese. The basic formula of tortellini + protein + greens + flavorful sauce can be endlessly customized to suit your taste preferences or use what you have on hand.

Simply Perfect

This Garlic Butter Beef and Spinach Tortellini hits all the right notes—it’s quick yet impressive, familiar yet special, and manages to be both comforting and elegant at the same time. The combination of tender pasta, savory beef, nutritious spinach, and rich garlic butter creates a harmonious dish that satisfies on every level. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll find yourself returning to again and again, both for everyday dinners and special occasions.

FAQs 7

1. Can I use a different type of pasta? Yes, while tortellini provides those delicious cheese-filled pockets, this sauce works well with any pasta. Ravioli, gnocchi, or even regular pasta shapes like penne or farfalle would be delicious alternatives.
2. How do I know when the spinach is properly wilted? Spinach is properly wilted when it has significantly reduced in volume (about 90% smaller), turned a deeper green, and is soft but not mushy. This typically takes only 1-2 minutes of cooking.
3. Is there a way to make this dairy-free? You can substitute the butter with olive oil or a plant-based butter alternative and omit the Parmesan or use a dairy-free Parmesan alternative.
4. What can I use instead of chicken broth? Beef broth, vegetable broth, or even water with a bouillon cube will work. For a richer flavor, you could even use a splash of white wine.
5. My sauce is too thick. How can I thin it? Add a bit more chicken broth or some of the reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
6. Can I add more vegetables to this dish? Absolutely! Bell peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, or mushrooms would all be excellent additions. Just add firmer vegetables when you’re cooking the onions and quick-cooking ones when you add the spinach.
7. How spicy is this dish with the red pepper flakes? As written, the dish has just a mild warmth. If you’re sensitive to spice, start with just a pinch of red pepper flakes or omit them entirely. If you love heat, feel free to double the amount.

Conclusion

This Garlic Butter Beef and Spinach Tortellini is more than just a meal—it’s a solution for busy weeknights, a crowd-pleaser for gatherings, and a comforting dish that feels like a warm hug on a plate. The combination of tender tortellini, savory beef, nutritious spinach, and aromatic garlic butter creates a symphony of flavors that will delight your taste buds while satisfying your hunger. Whether you’re cooking for a family or meal prepping for the week ahead, this versatile recipe deserves a regular spot in your meal rotation. Give it a try tonight and discover your new favorite pasta dish!