Description
Cheesy Beef Enchiladas Tortellini – A comforting and crowd-pleasing dish featuring tender beef, gooey cheese, and flavorful enchilada sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) cheese tortellini, fresh or frozen
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef, 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio for best flavor
- 1 medium onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp (30ml) olive oil
- 2 tbsp (16g) taco seasoning (or enchilada spice blend)
- 1 can (15 oz/425g) red enchilada sauce
- 1 can (4 oz/113g) diced green chilies
- 2½ cups (250g) shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided
- ½ cup (120ml) sour cream, plus extra for serving
- ¼ cup (15g) fresh cilantro, chopped
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 avocado, diced (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare The Tortellini Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the tortellini and cook for 1-2 minutes less than the package directions indicate—they should be very al dente. Drain thoroughly but don’t rinse; the starch helps the sauce cling better. Toss with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking and set aside. While the pasta cooks, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Step 2: Season The Beef Mixture Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Season with the taco seasoning and cook until the beef is completely browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary—but leaving a little enhances the flavor of your Cheesy Beef Enchiladas Tortellini.
- Step 3: Create The Enchilada Sauce Mixture Reduce heat to medium-low and add the enchilada sauce and diced green chilies to the beef mixture. Stir well and let simmer for 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Remove from heat and stir in the sour cream and ½ cup of shredded cheese until well combined. This creates a creamy, flavor-packed sauce that transforms ordinary tortellini into something extraordinary.
- Step 4: Assemble And Bake In your prepared baking dish, combine the cooked tortellini with the beef enchilada mixture. Gently fold them together, ensuring each pasta piece is coated with sauce. Sprinkle 1 cup of cheese throughout the mixture, then top with the remaining cup of cheese. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden in spots.
- Step 5: Garnish And Serve Remove your Cheesy Beef Enchiladas Tortellini from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set slightly and makes serving easier. Garnish with chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, and diced avocado if desired. Serve with extra sour cream on the side for those who enjoy a cooler, creamy contrast to the spiced dish.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Americaine
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 960mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: Cheesy Beef Enchiladas Tortellini