One-Pot Cheesy Enchilada Tortellini with Beef | Easy Skillet Dinner

Stuffani Borjat

July 20, 2025

One-Pot Cheesy Enchilada Tortellini with Beef – best easy family dinner recipe

Is One-Pot Cheesy Enchilada Tortellini with Beef really worth making on a busy night? Absolutely and it might just save dinner.When I was juggling homework, reheating leftovers, and folding laundry with one arm, recipes like this became more than just food they became peace.

This one hits all the sweet spots: easy family dinner recipes, budget-friendly one-pan meals, and yes even great for meal prep skillet recipes. It’s bold, cheesy, filling, and made for your real life.

Table of Contents

Big Flavor in One Skillet, No Extra Dishes

I once thought dinner had to be complicated. Then I made One-Pot Cheesy Enchilada Tortellini with Beef bold, rich, and easy. It’s now our favorite budget-friendly one-pan meal.

The Ingredients One-Pot Cheesy Enchilada Tortellini with Beef

 Ingredients for one-pot cheesy enchilada tortellini with beef.budget-friendly meals.
  • → Ground Beef & Aromatics
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 tbsp minced fresh garlic
  • → Spice & Sauce Layer
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
  • 1 can (10 oz) red enchilada sauce
  • 1 can (14 oz) fire roasted diced tomatoes (undrained)
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • → Pasta & Creamy Finish
  • 1 bag (20 oz) cheese tortellini, fresh or frozen
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar-jack cheese
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • Fresh chopped cilantro for topping

Instructions One-Pot Cheesy Enchilada Tortellini with Beef

Step 1: Brown the beef
Heat oil in a large deep skillet. Add beef and brown until no pink remains. Toss in diced onion and cook 5 minutes.

browning ground beef and onions in skillet for easy one-pot dinners
  • Stuffani’s tip: This step builds your flavor base. Let that beef crisp a little it’s worth it.

Step 2: Spice it up
Stir in garlic, then all the seasonings. Smoked paprika + chili powder = flavor bomb.

stirring garlic and spices into beef for one-pan enchilada skillet dinner
  • Kitchen trick: Don’t skip the fresh garlic. It gives depth no powder ever could.

Step 3: Pour in the goods
Add broth, tomatoes, and enchilada sauce. Mix until it becomes one saucy dream.

pouring enchilada sauce and broth into skillet for creamy one-pan beef tortellini
  • Meal prep perk: This layer alone freezes beautifully double batch it for later!

Step 4: Add the tortellini
Stir in the pasta, cover, and simmer 7–10 minutes. Stir halfway through.

stirring cheese tortellini into enchilada sauce for easy one-pan pasta dinner
  • Busy night magic: No need to pre-boil this is why we love easy family dinner recipes.

Step 5: Melt the cheese
Uncover. Add shredded cheddar-jack and stir until it melts into the sauce.

adding shredded cheddar-jack cheese to one-pot enchilada beef tortellini
  • Cheese tip: Shred it fresh if you can bagged blends are fine, but block cheese melts creamier.

Step 6: Stir in sour cream
Turn off heat. Mix in sour cream until everything is velvety.

mixing sour cream into one-pot cheesy beef tortellini for creamy skillet dinner

Enchilada Tortellini Variations and Cozy Custom Swaps

  • Some nights, I need dinner to go exactly as planned.
  • Other nights? I stand in front of the fridge and just wing it.
  • And this One-Pot Cheesy Enchilada Tortellini with Beef?
  • It forgives. It flexes. It feeds like a hug.

Quick swaps with whatever’s in your kitchen

  • Best One-Pot Cheesy Enchilada Tortellini with Beef:
  • No tortellini? Use small shells or elbow macaroni whatever cooks quick and soaks in flavor.
  • No ground beef? Swap in rotisserie chicken or canned beans for a protein twist.
  • This dish belongs on any list of easy one-pot dinners that don’t ask for a trip to the store.
  • Just like Simple Bacon Tortellini Alfredo flexible, forgiving, totally worth making again.

Simple ways to make it your own

  • Best One-Pot Cheesy Enchilada Tortellini with Beef:
  • Add black beans and corn for a Tex-Mex feel
  • Top with crushed tortilla chips for extra crunch
  • Want heat? Stir in chipotle or a splash of hot sauce with the spices
  • Pair it with Cheesy Ranch Potatoes and Sausage to feed a hungry crowd on a budget
  • This is one of those weeknight dinner ideas for families that hits big flavor fast and leaves no dishes behind.

Serving and Storing One-Pot Cheesy Enchilada Tortellini with Beef

  • This dish isn’t just easy to make it’s even easier to love.
  • And whether you’re serving a crowd or saving leftovers for lunch, it holds up beautifully.

How to serve it best One-Pot Cheesy Enchilada Tortellini with Beef

Best One-Pot Cheesy Enchilada Tortellini with Beef Recipe:

  • Serve hot, straight from the skillet for that saucy, melty cheese moment
  • Scoop it into bowls and top with cilantro, jalapeños, or crushed tortilla chips
  • Add a side of Comforting Cheesy Taco Potatoes to double the flavor
  • It’s one of those weeknight dinner ideas for families that looks fancy but feels effortless

How to store it right

Best One-Pot Cheesy Enchilada Tortellini with Beef Recipe:

  • Let it cool slightly before transferring to containers
  • Store in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days
  • Reheat in a skillet or microwave add a splash of broth to loosen the sauce
  • Another reason it’s a hero among budget-friendly meals and easy one-pot dinners you’ll keep on repeat

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FAQ: One-Pot Cheesy Enchilada Tortellini with Beef

  1. Can I use frozen tortellini instead of refrigerated?

    Yes just add a few extra minutes to the cook time for tender, cheesy results. This works great in easy one-pot dinners.

  2. What type of cheese works best for this recipe?

    A cheddar-jack blend melts perfectly into the sauce. For bolder flavor, try pepper jack perfect for budget-friendly meals.

  3. Can I make this dish ahead of time?

    Absolutely. Make it earlier in the day and reheat gently. It’s a lifesaver for weeknight dinner ideas for families.

  4. How can I make this dish spicier?

    Stir in chipotle paste or crushed red pepper flakes. It adds warmth and layers to this comfort food skillet meal.

  5. Can I substitute ground beef with another protein?

    Yes! Ground turkey, rotisserie chicken, or even lentils work beautifully in this flexible one-pan recipe.

Conclusion

  • There’s something about One-Pot Cheesy Enchilada Tortellini with Beef that feels like home.
  • It’s more than a quick dinnerit’s comfort, ease, and flavor, all in one pan. It saves you dishes, saves your sanity, and still delivers on taste.
  • From the busy mom juggling soccer schedules to the college student tired of instant noodles, this dish shows up and shows off.
Print
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One-Pot Cheesy Enchilada Tortellini with Beef – best easy family dinner recipe

One-Pot Cheesy Enchilada Tortellini with Beef | Easy Skillet Dinner

  • Author: Stuffani Borjat
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: One-Pot
  • Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Description

One-Pot Cheesy Enchilada Tortellini with Beef is a creamy, spicy, family-friendly skillet dinner loaded with comfort and ready in under 30 minutes. Easy cleanup, bold flavor.


Ingredients

Scale

→ Ground Beef & Aromatics

1 lb ground beef

1 tbsp olive oil

1 small yellow onion, finely diced

2 tbsp minced fresh garlic

→ Spice & Sauce Layer

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp oregano

1 tsp salt

1/8 tsp black pepper

1 can (10 oz) red enchilada sauce

1 can (14 oz) fire roasted diced tomatoes (undrained)

2 cups beef broth

→ Pasta & Creamy Finish

1 bag (20 oz) cheese tortellini, fresh or frozen

1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar-jack cheese

1/4 cup sour cream

Fresh chopped cilantro for topping


Instructions

Step 1: Brown the beef
Heat oil in a large deep skillet. Add beef and brown until no pink remains. Toss in diced onion and cook 5 minutes.

Step 2: Spice it up
Stir in garlic, then all the seasonings. Smoked paprika + chili powder = flavor bomb.

Step 3: Pour in the goods
Add broth, tomatoes, and enchilada sauce. Mix until it becomes one saucy dream.

Step 4: Add the tortellini
Stir in the pasta, cover, and simmer 7–10 minutes. Stir halfway through.

Step 5: Melt the cheese
Uncover. Add shredded cheddar-jack and stir until it melts into the sauce.

Step 6: Stir in sour cream
Turn off heat. Mix in sour cream until everything is velvety.


Notes

Use frozen or fresh tortellini both work great.

Swap ground beef for ground turkey or shredded chicken.

Add jalapeños or hot sauce if you like it spicier.

Perfect for next-day lunch just reheat with a splash of broth.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 920mg
  • Fat: 27g
  • Saturated Fat: 13g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 29g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 24g
  • Cholesterol: 90mg

Keywords: one-pot cheesy enchilada tortellini, creamy beef skillet, easy one-pan dinners, tortellini casserole, weeknight meals

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