Cheesy Beef Enchilada Tortellini Recipe
This Cheesy Beef Enchilada Tortellini is a delightful fusion of Italian and Mexican flavors, combining tender cheese-filled tortellini with a rich, spiced ground beef and enchilada sauce. Topped with melted mozzarella and baked to bubbly perfection, it’s a comforting casserole perfect for any weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-Italian Fusion
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 1 (10 oz) can red enchilada sauce
- ½ cup cream cheese
Pasta and Topping
- 1 (9 oz) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare Beef Filling: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and diced onion over medium-high heat. Once the beef is cooked through, drain any excess fat. Stir in the minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper and cook for an additional minute until fragrant. Then, add the enchilada sauce and cream cheese. Stir continuously until the cream cheese has melted and the mixture is smooth. Let it simmer gently for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Cook Tortellini: While preparing the beef mixture, cook the cheese tortellini according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well but do not rinse to keep the pasta ready to absorb the sauce.
- Combine and Assemble: Add the cooked tortellini directly to the skillet with the beef and sauce mixture. Gently fold everything together to coat the pasta evenly with the flavorful sauce. Transfer this combined mixture into a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Bake: Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the casserole. Place the baking dish in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted and lightly golden on top.
- Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired to add a bright, fresh flavor contrast.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Use mild or spicy enchilada sauce depending on your heat preference.
- For extra cheesiness, sprinkle some extra mozzarella or a mix of Mexican cheeses before baking.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat beautifully in the oven or microwave.
- To save time, use pre-cooked or frozen tortellini but adjust cooking times accordingly.
Keywords: Beef Enchilada, Tortellini Casserole, Cheesy Tortellini, Mexican Pasta Bake, Ground Beef Recipe
