Description
Savor Mexican-Italian fusion with this cheesy beef enchilada tortellini recipe that blends bold spices and creamy textures. Melted cheese, seasoned ground beef, and perfectly cooked tortellini create a mouthwatering meal packed with comfort and zest for you to enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 9 ounces (255 grams) cheese tortellini
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (10 ounces / 284 grams) can enchilada sauce (red or green)
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup sour cream
Garnish:
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Boil tortellini in salted water for 8-9 minutes until al dente. Carefully drain and reserve.
- Heat large skillet over medium-high heat. Crumble ground beef into pan, cooking until deep brown and no pink remains.
- Drain excess grease from meat. Return skillet to heat and introduce finely diced onions and minced garlic.
- Sauté aromatics with beef for 2-3 minutes until onions become translucent and fragrant.
- Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper across meat mixture. Stir thoroughly to distribute spices evenly.
- Pour enchilada sauce into skillet, reducing heat to medium-low. Allow sauce to simmer and meld with meat for 4-5 minutes.
- Gently fold cooked tortellini into sauce, ensuring each pasta piece gets completely coated.
- Distribute mozzarella and cheddar cheese across the top of the mixture. Cover skillet and reduce heat to low.
- Let cheese melt completely for 2-3 minutes until smooth and bubbling.
- Remove from heat. Stir in sour cream until fully incorporated and creamy.
- Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro. Serve immediately while hot and cheese remains melted.
Notes
- Ensure pasta is al dente by checking package instructions and tasting a piece before draining to prevent mushy texture.
- Drain excess beef fat thoroughly to reduce greasiness and improve overall dish healthiness.
- Briefly cook spices before adding sauce to enhance their depth and release aromatic oils for more complex flavor profile.
- Low and slow heat helps cheese melt evenly without burning, creating a smooth and creamy consistency.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for lighter versions. Use lactose-free cheese for dairy-sensitive diets.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg