Description
Cheesy Taco Tortellini combines tender, cheese-filled tortellini pasta with seasoned ground beef and rich taco flavors, all simmered together in a creamy queso sauce. This skillet dish is a quick, comforting fusion of Tex-Mex and Italian-inspired flavors, perfect for a busy weeknight dinner or family gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 24 ounces fresh cheese tortellini
- 2 packets taco seasoning
- 1 and 3/4 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 16 ounces queso dip
Instructions
- Brown Ground Beef: Heat a large deep skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat as it cooks. Brown the beef for 7-8 minutes until no pink remains and the meat is lightly browned, ensuring some pieces have nice browning for flavor.
- Season Beef: Drain any excess fat if necessary. Sprinkle both packets of taco seasoning over the browned beef. Stir thoroughly to coat all the meat evenly with the seasoning. If the mixture seems dry, add a splash of beef broth. The mixture should smell fragrant and have a deep golden color.
- Add Broth and Tortellini: Pour in 1 and 3/4 cups of beef broth and stir to loosen any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Add the fresh cheese tortellini and mix well to ensure the pasta is submerged evenly.
- Simmer Tortellini: Increase heat to bring the contents to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring once or twice during cooking to prevent sticking. The tortellini should puff up, become tender, and fully cooked but not mushy.
- Add Sour Cream and Queso: Reduce heat to medium-low. Gently fold in 2 tablespoons of sour cream until melted and combined. Then add 16 ounces of queso dip in spoonfuls, stirring after each addition until the sauce is smooth and creamy, coating the pasta and beef evenly. Let it bubble gently for 2 minutes for flavor melding.
- Serve: Portion the cheesy taco tortellini immediately while hot for the best flavor and texture. Optionally garnish with extra sour cream, fresh cilantro, or sliced jalapeños for added freshness and spice.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, use hot taco seasoning or add diced jalapeños during the simmering step.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of broth or milk to keep the sauce creamy.
- Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat for variation.
- Use any fresh filled pasta if fresh tortellini is unavailable.
- Try different queso types (smoky, spicy) to customize flavor.
- This dish pairs well with warm tortillas, tortilla chips, or a fresh side salad with lime dressing.
- Freeze before adding sour cream and queso for meal prep; add them when reheating for best texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta Recipes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Keywords: taco tortellini, cheesy pasta, ground beef recipe, Tex-Mex pasta, quick weeknight dinner, creamy tortellini
