Cheesy Taco Tortellini Bake: Easy, Delicious Family Dinner!
This Cheesy Taco Tortellini Bake combines the comforting texture of cheesy tortellini with bold taco flavors, creating a delightful one-pan meal. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s a family favorite that everyone will love!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-Mexican
Ingredients
- Fresh or frozen cheese tortellini
- Lean ground beef (or ground turkey, chicken, plant-based ground meat, or black beans)
- Taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika)
- Mozzarella cheese
- Cheddar cheese (or pepper jack cheese for a spicy kick, or dairy-free cheese for a vegan option)
- Tomato sauce (or diced tomatoes for a chunkier texture, with optional diced green chilies)
- Chopped bell peppers
- Chopped onions
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the tortellini according to package instructions until they are al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add a splash of olive oil and cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it up with a spatula. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
- Once the beef is browned, add in chopped onions and bell peppers. Sauté for another 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- Stir in the taco seasoning and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the tomato sauce and stir everything together, letting it simmer for about 3-5 minutes.
- Gently fold in the cooked tortellini and half of the cheese, ensuring everything is well-coated.
- Spoon the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with the remaining cheese, spreading it evenly over the top.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped cilantro or green onions if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: Feel free to adjust the spice level by adding jalapeños or crushed red pepper flakes. For an extra cheesy experience, layer the tortellini mixture and cheese instead of just topping it. This dish can be made ahead of time and refrigerated before baking.