Cheesy Beef Enchilada Tortellini Recipe
Cheesy Beef Enchilada Tortellini is a comforting and flavorful one-pan dish combining seasoned ground beef, tender cheese tortellini, rich enchilada sauce, and creamy cheeses. This easy-to-make skillet meal brings together the bold, savory tastes of Mexican cuisine with Italian-inspired pasta for a quick and satisfying dinner that your whole family will love.
- Author: lea
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 (9 oz) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 1 (10 oz) can red enchilada sauce
- ½ cup cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics
- ½ medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Garnish
- Fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
- Sauté the Onions and Garlic: Heat a large skillet over medium heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Add the diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until translucent and fragrant. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Season with salt, pepper, chili powder, and ground cumin. Cook on medium-high heat for 5 to 7 minutes until fully browned. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Simmer with Enchilada Sauce: Pour in the red enchilada sauce and stir well to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 3 to 5 minutes so the flavors meld together.
- Incorporate Cream Cheese: Add cream cheese in chunks to the skillet. Stir constantly until the cream cheese melts and fully blends into a creamy sauce, about 2 minutes.
- Add Tortellini: Gently fold refrigerated cheese tortellini into the beef and sauce mixture. Cook over medium-low heat for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tortellini are heated through and tender.
- Melt the Mozzarella Cheese: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the skillet. Cover and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. For a golden crust, broil for 1 to 2 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired. Serve hot and enjoy your creamy, cheesy, and flavorful Cheesy Beef Enchilada Tortellini.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add more chili powder or diced jalapeños to taste.
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time and assembled fresh or baked later with the mozzarella added before baking.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days and reheated gently.
- Use ground turkey or chicken as a leaner protein option.
- Vegetarian version can be made by replacing beef with sautéed mushrooms or black beans.
- For gluten-free versions, use gluten-free tortellini.
Keywords: beef enchilada tortellini, cheesy tortellini recipe, quick dinner skillet, Mexican pasta dish, creamy enchilada pasta