Description

Cheesy Taco Tortellini combines tender cheese-filled tortellini with seasoned ground beef and a rich, creamy queso sauce. Infused with bold taco spices and simmered in savory beef broth, this one-skillet dish delivers comforting Tex-Mex flavors perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight meal or family dinner.

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 the Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink and lightly browned, about 7-8 minutes. Ensure some pieces get nicely browned for extra flavor.
Season the Beef: Drain excess fat if necessary. Sprinkle the two packets of taco seasoning over the cooked beef, stirring well to evenly coat all meat. If mixture seems dry, add a splash of beef broth. The meat should be fragrant and richly colored.
Deglaze and Add Pasta: Pour in the beef broth, stirring to scrape up browned bits from the skillet bottom. Add the fresh cheese tortellini and mix to submerge the pasta completely in the liquid.
Simmer Tortellini: Increase heat to bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cover the skillet and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tortellini are plump and tender but still intact.
Incorporate Dairy and Cheese: Lower the heat to medium-low. Gently fold in the sour cream until melted and combined. Then add the queso dip gradually in spoonfuls, stirring after each addition until the sauce is smooth and creamy, coating the tortellini evenly. Let it simmer gently for 2 minutes.
Serve: Spoon the cheesy taco tortellini into bowls and serve immediately while hot. Optionally, garnish with extra sour cream, sliced jalapeños, or fresh cilantro for added flavor.

Notes

For spicier flavor, use hot taco seasoning or add diced jalapeños during simmering.
Frozen tortellini can be used but may require a few extra minutes cooking.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat gently with a splash of broth or milk to restore sauce consistency.
To make ahead, omit sour cream and queso until reheating for best freshness.
Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat as preferred.
Add vegetables like sautéed bell peppers or black beans for more nutrition.
Serve with warm tortillas, tortilla chips, or a fresh side salad to complement the dish.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Pasta Recipes
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Mexican-American

Keywords: cheesy taco tortellini, taco pasta, ground beef pasta, queso tortellini, Tex-Mex pasta, easy weeknight dinner, creamy pasta recipe, one skillet meal