This quick and easy Taco Tortellini is made with just 5 ingredients and packed with flavor. It’s the perfect dinner for busy weeknights that the whole family will love.
Taco night is one of our favorite nights, but we’re also huge pasta lovers — so I came up with a dish that combines the two comfort food staples. This Taco Tortellini is a super easy, flavorful fusion of savory tacos and cheesy tortellini that comes together fast, in just one pan. Simple to make with hardly any clean-up, this pasta dinner is perfect for busy weeknights. Bonus: leftovers reheat beautifully so you’ve got dinner for the next night, too.
Filled with tender tortellini, seasoned taco meat, juicy tomatoes and gooey, melty cheese, this Taco Tortellini is packed with bold flavor. It’s a genius pasta creation that everyone craves, and the whole family enjoys. Taco night can still be on of your go-to’s, but don’t forget about adding taco-tortellini night to the dinner rotations, too.
If you like this pasta mash-up, try some of these other easy and delicious ideas. This Tortellini Caesar Salad is a fun twist and this hearty Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Tortellini is perfect for family dinners.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in Under 30 Minutes: With a simple process and just a handful of ingredients, this comes together in no time, so you can get dinner on the table fast.
- Family-friendly and Customizable: This dish is made with familiar ingredients adults and kids crave, and it’s easy to add in or swap out any of your favorite flavors. Try different cheeses, pasta, or add in extra veggies.
- Great for Leftovers: This is one of those recipes that tastes just as good the next day, and leftovers reheat beautifully, making it a dream for meal prep and to make ahead of time.
- One-Pan Dinner: Everything comes together in just one pan — no extra dishes needed. It’s simple and easy, with almost no clean-up.
Ingredients
- Ground Beef: We like 80/20 for the best flavor and juicy texture.
- Taco Seasoning: Zesty and bold, use your favorite store-bought blend, or make your own at home and keep it on hand for future uses.
- Diced Tomatoes: Juicy and fresh, we always keep a few cans in the pantry.
- Cheese Tortellini: Chewy and cheesy, use the refrigerated kind for the best texture.
- Shredded Mexican Cheese: Grate your own for the best flavor and melt.
How To Make Taco Tortellini
1. Place the ground beef in a pan and cook on medium heat. Half way through add in the taco seasoning and mix well. While that’s cooking get a pot of boiling water ready for the tortellini.
2. Add the tortellini to the boiling water and cook according to direction. Add the can of tomatoes with the juices to the ground beef and give a good stir. When tortellini is cooked, drain and add to ground beef and gently toss.
3. Top with shredded cheese and broil on low for 2-3 minutes.
Expert Tips
- Don’t Overcook Tortellini: Cook the pasta to just al dente, so it’s soft but still firm with a bite — it can get too soft and mushy when mixed into the sauce if you overcook it.
- Use Freshly Shredded Cheese: It’s worth it to grate your own for the best melty texture. The pre-shredded stuff has a coating that gives it a slightly grainy texture, and keeps it from melting smoothly.
- Reserve Pasta Water: Add a splash of the starchy “liquid gold” to loosen the sauce if needed.
- Toast Taco Seasoning: For extra flavor, lightly toast the taco seasoning in the pan to bloom the flavors before stirring into the meat.
- Add Spice: Stir in diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce for a little kick and heat.
Variations
- Use Ground Chicken or Turkey: For a slightly lighter, just as delicious version.
- Add Extra Veggies or Beans: Add black beans or corn for extra flavor and texture — canned work perfectly.
- Make it Creamy: Stir in a splash of heavy cream or dollop of cream cheese to make this extra luxurious and rich.
- Try Other Tortellini Flavors: Use spinach, sun-dried tomato, tri-color, or even meal-filled tortellini for added flavor.
- Make it Vegetarian: Skip the ground meat all together and use browned plant-based crumbles to make this whole recipe vegetarian.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover taco tortellini in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
We don’t usually recommend freezing this dish as thawing the tortellini could change the texture and make them overly soft and mushy, but if you’re in a pinch, store leftovers in the freezer in an airtight container for up to a month or two.
To reheat, warm gently over medium heat on the stove with a splash of stock or water (or cream) to refresh. If serving from frozen, thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat the same way.
FAQs
Yes, definitely. Cook according to package instructions, then fully drain to get rid of excess moisture before adding in.
Absolutely! Add a sprinkle of chili flakes, dash of hot sauce, or use spicy taco seasoning to give this dish some heat.
Cheddar or a Mexican blend melts best and has the perfect flavor to compliment the taco seasoning.
Yes, simply swap the ground meat for all beans or a plant-based alternative — the crumbles work perfectly.
More Delicious Pasta Recipes
- One Pot Tomato Pasta
- The Best Baked Rigatoni
- Basil Pesto Shrimp and Pasta
- Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese
Taco Tortellini
Ingredients
Method
- place the ground beef in a pan and cook on medium heat. Half way through add in the taco seasoning and mix well. While that’s cooking get a pot of boiling water ready for the tortellini.
- Add the tortellini to the boiling water and cook according to direction. Add the can of tomatoes with the juices to the ground beef and give a good stir. When tortellini is cooked, drain and add to ground beef and gently toss.
- Top with shredded cheese and broil on low for 2-3 minutes.Enjoy!
Notes
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Store leftovers in the freezer in an airtight container for up to a month or two.
- To reheat, warm gently over medium heat on the stove with a splash of stock or water (or cream) to refresh. If serving from frozen, thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat the same way.