Cheesy Beef Enchilada Tortellini

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 tsp chili powder (can reduce to 1 tsp for less heat)
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp dried cilantro
• 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper (optional; omit for less heat)
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 19 oz frozen tortellini (1 bag)
• 10 oz mild enchilada sauce (1 can)
• 10 oz Rotel (1 can diced tomatoes and green chilies)
• 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese (shredded)
• sour cream (for garnish)
• fresh cilantro (for garnish)

Steps

1. 1

   Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb of ground beef and break it up with a spatula.

2. 2

   Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the beef. Cook until the beef is fully browned and the onion is translucent.

3. 3

   Once the beef is fully cooked, drain any excess grease from the skillet.

4. 4

   Season the beef mixture with salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, dried cilantro, and cayenne. Add 1 tbsp of minced garlic and stir well to combine.

5. 5

   Pour in the 10 oz can of enchilada sauce, the 10 oz can of Rotel, and the 19 oz bag of frozen tortellini.

6. 6

   Bring the mixture to a boil. Once bubbling, turn the heat down to medium-low.

7. 7

   Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for about 5 minutes. Stir the mixture halfway through the cooking time to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pan.

8. 8

   Once the pasta is tender, give it a final stir and sprinkle 1 cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese over the top.

9. 9

   Replace the lid for a minute or two until the cheese is melted, or place the skillet under a broiler for a couple of minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

10. 10

    Garnish with fresh cilantro and a dollop of sour cream before serving.

Notes

If you prefer a milder dish, omit the cayenne pepper and reduce the chili powder by half. Alternatively, you can substitute all the individual spices with one packet of taco seasoning. Using freshly shredded cheese will result in a better melt than pre-shredded varieties.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• dinner
• one-pan
• skillet
• easy
• weeknight
• beef
• pasta