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Cheesy Beef Enchilada Tortellini Recipe

4.8 from 76 reviews

Cheesy Beef Enchilada Tortellini is a flavorful and comforting casserole that combines seasoned ground beef, creamy enchilada sauce, and tender cheese-filled tortellini. Topped with melted mozzarella and baked to perfection, this dish offers a delicious twist on classic Mexican flavors with Italian pasta, making it a hearty and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Beef and Sauce 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 Cheese

  • 1 (9 oz) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Garnish

  • Fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Beef Filling: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and diced onion over medium-high heat. Drain any excess fat. Stir in minced garlic, chili powder, ground cumin, salt, and pepper, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the enchilada sauce and cream cheese, stirring until smooth. Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes to meld flavors and thicken the sauce.
  2. Cook Tortellini: While the beef mixture simmers, cook the refrigerated cheese tortellini according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well but do not rinse, to retain starch for better sauce adhesion.
  3. Combine and Assemble: Add the cooked tortellini into the skillet with the beef and enchilada sauce mixture. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly. Then transfer the entire mixture to a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
  4. Bake: Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the assembled mixture. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15 to 20 minutes until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted with a slight golden hue on top.
  5. Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to set. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired, then serve warm for a comforting and cheesy meal.

Notes

  • Use refrigerated fresh tortellini for best texture; frozen works but may require additional cooking time.
  • For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños when cooking the beef.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
  • You can substitute mozzarella with Monterey Jack or a Mexican cheese blend for different flavors.

Keywords: beef enchilada tortellini, cheesy casserole, enchilada pasta bake, Mexican pasta dish, baked tortellini recipe