Creamy Taco Tortellini Skillet
This Creamy Taco Tortellini Skillet is a cheesy, one-pan Tex-Mex inspired dinner that comes together in about 30 minutes. It’s loaded with bold taco flavors, creamy sauce, and tender cheese tortellini for a comforting meal the whole family will love.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey or chicken)
- 1 small yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet (about 1 oz) taco seasoning
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (such as Rotel)
- 1/2 cup beef or chicken broth (low sodium recommended)
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend)
- 1/2 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
- 1 (20 oz) package refrigerated cheese tortellini (or frozen, add extra cook time)
- Optional toppings: chopped fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, extra shredded cheese, crushed tortilla chips
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until just browned (about 3 minutes). Drain excess grease if needed.
- Add diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté until onion is soft and translucent, about 2 more minutes.
- Sprinkle in taco seasoning and stir to coat the beef and onions. Toast spices for 30-60 seconds.
- Pour in diced tomatoes with green chilies (with juice) and broth. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in cheese tortellini. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and cook for 7-8 minutes (9-10 minutes if using frozen), stirring once halfway, until tortellini is tender and liquid mostly absorbed.
- Lower heat to low. Add cubed cream cheese and stir until melted and smooth.
- Add shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream. Stir gently until creamy and combined. Do not boil.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or more taco seasoning if desired. Add a splash of broth if sauce is too thick.
- Top with desired toppings such as cilantro, green onions, jalapeños, extra cheese, or crushed chips. Serve straight from the skillet after cooling for 3-5 minutes.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, use plant-based crumbles or black beans and vegetable broth. For gluten-free, use GF pasta and taco seasoning. Use low-fat dairy or Greek yogurt for a lighter option. Customize with your favorite toppings and adjust spice level as desired. Leftovers keep well for 3 days in the fridge; add a splash of broth or milk when reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 1100
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 14
- Carbohydrates: 48
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 28
Keywords: taco tortellini, creamy skillet, one-pan dinner, cheesy pasta, Tex-Mex, weeknight meal, ground beef, comfort food