Name: Cheesy Beef Enchilada Tortellini
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 pound ground beef; 1 small yellow onion, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 2 cups red enchilada sauce; 20 ounces cheese tortellini (refrigerated or pre-cooked if frozen); 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

If you love bold Tex-Mex flavor but also crave cheesy pasta comfort, this Cheesy Beef Enchilada Tortellini is about to become your new obsession. It blends everything you love about beef enchiladas with the cozy decadence of cheese-filled tortellini. The result is a skillet dinner that hits every craving: savory, spicy, cheesy, and satisfyingly hearty.

Perfect for busy weeknights or a crowd-pleasing potluck dish, this mashup comes together in one pan and packs serious flavor. You get seasoned ground beef, rich enchilada sauce, creamy cheese, and tender tortellini all baked until bubbly and golden. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug with every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Beef Enchilada Tortellini

This recipe brings the best of two comfort food classics into one unbeatable dish. It’s quick enough for weeknights but feels like something special. You only need one skillet, which means minimal cleanup. And the flavors are layered and crave-worthy: smoky enchilada sauce, gooey cheese, hearty beef, and pillowy pasta.

If you’re tired of the same old taco night or pasta bake, this twist will keep everyone excited for dinner. Kids love it, adults come back for seconds, and leftovers (if you have any) reheat beautifully.

What Kind of Tortellini Should I Use?

For this dish, refrigerated cheese tortellini is your best bet. It cooks quickly and has the right amount of richness to stand up to the bold flavors of the enchilada sauce and beef. If you only have frozen tortellini, just boil it a few minutes longer before adding it to the skillet.

Avoid dried tortellini for this recipe, as it tends to be too firm and not nearly as luscious when baked. Cheese-stuffed is classic, but you can also try beef or spinach tortellini for a fun variation.

Ingredients for the Cheesy Beef Enchilada Tortellini

This recipe leans into bold, satisfying ingredients that are easy to find and even easier to throw together on a weeknight. Every element has a purpose, from building flavor to creating that ooey-gooey, cheesy finish everyone craves.

Ground beef
Yellow onion
Garlic
Red enchilada sauce
Cheese tortellini
Cheddar cheese
Monterey Jack cheese
Olive oil
Chili powder
Cumin
Salt
Black pepper
Fresh cilantro (optional)

Ground beef provides the hearty base of the dish and soaks up all the rich seasoning. Yellow onion and garlic are sautéed first to add aromatic depth. Red enchilada sauce brings a smoky, spicy foundation that ties everything together.

The star twist? Cheese tortellini, which adds a pillowy, cheesy contrast to the bold flavors. A combo of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese ensures maximum melt and gooeyness. Olive oil is used for sautéing, and chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper season the beef to perfection. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro at the end if you love a bright finish.

How To Make the Cheesy Beef Enchilada Tortellini

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics

Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a spoon and cook until fully browned. Drain excess grease if needed, then stir in chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3: Add Sauce and Tortellini

Pour in the red enchilada sauce and bring to a gentle simmer. Add in the cheese tortellini and stir to coat well in the sauce. If the tortellini is frozen, partially cook it beforehand.

Step 4: Layer the Cheese

Sprinkle cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the top of the skillet. Reduce heat to low and cover with a lid until the cheese melts, about 3 to 5 minutes. Alternatively, you can place the skillet under a broiler to melt and brown the cheese.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Top with freshly chopped cilantro if desired and serve hot straight from the skillet. Enjoy every cheesy, beefy, spicy bite!

How to Serve and Store Cheesy Beef Enchilada Tortellini

This recipe serves around 4 to 6 people, making it ideal for family dinners or casual gatherings. It’s a full meal in itself with protein, pasta, and sauce all in one skillet, but you can definitely round it out with sides if you’re feeling festive.

For serving, scoop the tortellini into shallow bowls so the cheesy sauce pools around each bite. Add a squeeze of lime juice or a dollop of sour cream for a bright contrast. A sprinkle of green onions or crushed tortilla chips can also take it to the next level.

To store leftovers, let the dish cool to room temperature and transfer to an airtight container. It keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of water or extra sauce to loosen things up. This dish also freezes fairly well, though the texture of the tortellini may soften a bit after thawing.

What to Serve With Cheesy Beef Enchilada Tortellini?

Garlic Bread with a Kick

A side of crusty garlic bread brushed with chili-lime butter plays perfectly with the Tex-Mex flavors.

Simple Green Salad

Lighten things up with a crisp salad of romaine, cherry tomatoes, avocado, and lime vinaigrette.

Elote-Style Corn

Mexican street corn on the cob, coated with mayo, cheese, chili, and lime, is an irresistible match.

Cilantro Lime Rice

Serve a scoop of zesty rice on the side or even under the tortellini for extra flavor and texture.

Roasted Veggies

Charred bell peppers, onions, and zucchini add color and freshness to this cheesy dish.

Black Beans

Seasoned black beans with cumin and garlic make a hearty side and can even be mixed in.

Chips and Guacamole

You can never go wrong with a bowl of tortilla chips and a fresh guac to get the party started.

Pickled Jalapeños

A spicy and tangy condiment that adds zip to every cheesy bite.

Want More Tortellini Ideas?

If you love this Cheesy Beef Enchilada Tortellini, then you’ll be all in on these other comforting pasta creations from Janet Dishes:

Try the creamy and veggie-packed Creamy Tomato Spinach Pasta when you’re in the mood for something lighter but still satisfying.
For a richer twist, don’t miss the cheesy and hearty Creamy Smothered Chicken with Spinach, Potatoes, and Mushrooms.
Add some Cajun flavor with a kick from the [Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta](https://janetdishes.com/cream…
Need a baked comfort food go-to? Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach delivers the goods.
Keep things simple with the one-pan magic of One-Pot Creamy Sausage Rigatoni.

Save This Recipe For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you spice it up more? Add beans or extra cheese? Try it with chicken instead of beef?

I love hearing how you make these recipes your own. Ask questions or drop tips—let’s keep cooking smarter together.

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Conclusion

Cheesy Beef Enchilada Tortellini isn’t just a dinner. It’s the perfect fusion of two craveable cuisines, made easy and weeknight-friendly. With bold enchilada flavor, creamy pasta, and a gooey cheese topping, it’s one of those meals you’ll want to make again and again. Whether you’re feeding a family or just yourself, this skillet dish is guaranteed to bring comfort and flavor to your table.