What happens when Tex-Mex crashes Italian night? You get Spicy Beef Enchilada Tortellini, and honestly, we’re pretty happy these two ended up in the same skillet.

Around our house, some of the best family dinners aren’t complicated—they’re the ones everyone is happy to see hit the table. This one checks all the boxes with cheesy tortellini, seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, enchilada sauce, and plenty of melted pepper jack. It’s hearty, a little spicy, and made for passing around the table on a busy weeknight.

You could use canned enchilada sauce, but making your own is worth the few extra minutes. A quick simmer with garlic, chili powder, cumin, Mexican oregano, and hot sauce gives it a fresher, richer flavor that makes the whole dish better.

Add a spoonful of sour cream and dinner is ready. It may not know whether it belongs at an Italian table or a Tex-Mex one, but when the family goes back for seconds, who cares?

Ingredients

16 ounces cheese tortellini

1 pound ground beef

1 packet taco seasoning

1 cup water

2 cups enchilada sauce (recipe below)

15 ounces can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 ½ cups frozen corn

2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese 

Sour cream for topping

Instructions

In a large pot cook the tortellini according to package.

While the tortellini is cooking, begin browning the ground beef in a large skillet.

Drain any grease once done cooking.

Add taco seasoning, water, enchilada sauce, beans, and corn, and stir until everything is mixed.

Add in the tortellini and stir once more. Top with the shredded cheese and put a lid on the pan and cook over medium to low heat to melt the cheese.

Top with sour cream and enjoy!

Enchilada Sauce 

1 TBL Olive oil

2tsp minced garlic

2 TBL Chili powder

2 tsp cumin

1 tsp Mexican oregano

1/4 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp salt

15 ounce can tomato sauce

1/4 cup water

1 tsp hot sauce (Cholula)

Sauce pan over medium heat add oil and garlic until fragrant.

Add spices and hot sauce and stir 30 sec

Add tomato sauce and water and simmer 20 min