If your family loves burger night, this cheeseburger tortellini is about to become a new favorite. It is a quick and easy pasta dinner loaded with ground beef, crispy bacon, and a creamy cheddar sauce that pulls it all together. One skillet, 30 minutes, and dinner is done.
This tortellini skillet was first published in December 2017. It was updated and republished in April 2026.
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There was a season of life when our evenings were basically a blur of school pickups, sports practices, and church activities. Getting dinner on the table meant finding something quick and easy. Some nights, it looked like a BLT wrap, or slow cooker pulled pork, but this cheesy pasta skillet quickly became a favorite.
Burgers were always a hit in our house, and pasta was the one thing I could count on all the kids to devour happily. So one night, I threw the two together in a skillet, and just like that, this cheeseburger tortellini was born. It was on the table in under 30 minutes and gone even faster.
Honestly, I still make this dinner even though the kids are grown, and the house is quieter. The seasoned beef, crispy bacon, and cheesy sauce wrapped around the soft tortellini are so good. It's the kind of meal that makes you want to go back for seconds before you have even finished your first bowl.
Why You'll Love This Cheeseburger Tortellini
- Ready in 30 minutes. Dinner is on the table fast, which is exactly what you need when everyone is asking what's for dinner.
- A fun twist on burger night. All the flavors you love about a cheeseburger, but cooked in a cheesy pasta skillet instead.
- One skillet, easy cleanup. Everything comes together in one pan, so you can spend less time on dishes and more time enjoying dinner.
- The whole family will love it! Beef, bacon, pasta, and melty cheese are a combination that is hard to say no to.
If you love easy dinners like this one, you might want to try this bacon cheeseburger stuffed zucchini for another fun twist on burger night.
Ingredients Needed
You will need the following ingredients to make this cheeseburger tortellini skillet recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for the exact amounts and full instructions.
- Tortellini: I used a bag straight from my freezer and cooked it according to the package directions. Fresh tortellini works great too, and cuts down on prep time.
- Ground Beef: I usually go with an 85% or 90% lean mix. It keeps the flavor without making the sauce greasy.
- Garlic and Red Onion: These cook right into the beef, adding a savory flavor to the dish.
- Tomatoes and Spinach: An easy way to add the fresh vegetables of a burger to a pasta dish.
- Flour: Just a couple of tablespoons help thicken the sauce so it clings to every bite.
- Milk: Keeps the sauce creamy and smooth without being too heavy.
- Cheddar Cheese: This is where the burger flavor really comes through. Shredding it fresh from the block makes a big difference in how well it melts.
- Bacon: Crispy, smoky, and honestly just makes everything better.
Fun Variations
- Stir in chopped pickles for a true cheeseburger flavor.
- Add a drizzle of ketchup and mustard before serving.
- Swap the cheddar for smoked Gouda or Pepper Jack cheese.
- Use ground turkey instead of beef.
- Top with green onions for extra color.
How To Make Bacon Cheeseburger Tortellini
This easy skillet dinner comes together in a few simple steps, and the whole thing is on the table in 30 minutes.
- Cook the tortellini. Boil the frozen tortellini according to the package directions. Drain it well, then drizzle it with olive oil so it does not stick while you prep the other ingredients.
- Brown the beef. Cook the ground beef, onions, and garlic in a large skillet until the meat is fully cooked. Drain off any excess grease so the cheese sauce stays creamy instead of oily.
- Add the veggies. Stir in the halved tomatoes and spinach. Cook for a few minutes until the spinach wilts and the tomatoes start to soften and burst.
- Make it creamy. Sprinkle the flour over the meat mixture and stir for about a minute. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking. Continue stirring and let everything thicken before stirring in most of the shredded cheese. Once it melts, the sauce becomes smooth and extra cheesy.
- Finish the skillet. Add the cooked pasta and bacon, then toss everything together until coated. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, cover the skillet, and let it melt into a delicious, gooey layer.
What To Serve With Skillet Tortellini Meal
This skillet is hearty enough on its own, but we love serving it with other sides to make it go further.
- Bread. A loaf of garlic bread, dinner rolls, or a cheesy focaccia are great for soaking up the cheesy sauce.
- Salad. Serve it with a simple green salad, Caesar salad, or a fresh Caprese veggie salad.
- Vegetables. A pan of roasted vegetables, cauliflower, or green beans adds color to the dinner.
- Dessert. End the night with a pan of fudge brownies or chocolate chip cookies.
BruCrew Tips
- Use freshly shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese has a coating that keeps it from melting smoothly. Freshly shredded makes the sauce so much creamier.
- Cook the bacon ahead of time. Leftover breakfast bacon works great here and makes weeknight dinner come together quickly.
- Don't overcook the tortellini. Pull it just before it's done since it will continue cooking in the sauce. Nobody wants mushy pasta.
- Stick with lean ground beef. An 85% or 90% mix gives you a great flavor without much grease.
- Drain the meat well. Even with a leaner mix, draining any excess grease before adding the flour keeps the sauce from getting oily.
- Let the sauce thicken first. Give the milk and cheese a minute to come together before adding the pasta so it coats everything nicely.
- Taste before you season. The bacon and cheese add saltiness to the dish, so wait until the end before reaching for the salt shaker.
Storage Recommendations
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, warm it in a skillet over low heat with a splash of milk to loosen the sauce and make it creamy again.
More Easy Skillet Dinners
- Skillet Ravioli Lasagna
- Cheesy Chicken Pasta
- Sausage Supreme Pasta
- Meat Lover's Pizza Ravioli
- Bacon Mac and Cheese
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Recipe
Cheeseburger Tortellini
If your family loves burger night, this cheeseburger tortellini is about to become a new favorite. It is a quick and easy pasta dinner loaded with ground beef, crispy bacon, and a creamy cheddar sauce that pulls it all together. One skillet, 30 minutes, and dinner is done.
Ingredients
- 1 (19 ounce) bag tortellini, cooked & drained
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground hamburger
- ½ cup diced red onions
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 2 cups baby spinach leaves
- 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups 2% milk
- 3 cups triple cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup cooked crumbled bacon
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the tortellini according to the package directions. Drain and stir in 1 tablespoon olive oil to keep them from sticking.
- Cook the hamburger, onions, and garlic in a large skillet until completely cooked through. Drain any excess grease.
- Add the spinach, tomatoes, and paprika, and cook until the spinach wilts and the tomatoes pop.
- Sprinkle the mixture with the flour, stir, and cook for 1 minute.
- Whisk in the milk and cook until slightly thickened. Stir in 2 ¾ cups cheese until melted.
- Add the pasta and bacon and stir until coated. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and cover until melted. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Notes
- Use freshly shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese has a coating that keeps it from melting smoothly. Freshly shredded makes the sauce so much creamier.
- Cook the bacon ahead of time. Leftover breakfast bacon works great here and makes weeknight dinner come together quickly.
- Don't overcook the tortellini. Pull it just before it's done since it will continue cooking in the sauce. Nobody wants mushy pasta.
- Stick with lean ground beef. An 85% or 90% mix gives you a great flavor without much grease.
- Drain the meat well. Even with a leaner mix, draining any excess grease before adding the flour keeps the sauce from getting oily.
- Let the sauce thicken first. Give the milk and cheese a minute to come together before adding the pasta so it coats everything nicely.
- Taste before you season. The bacon and cheese add saltiness to the dish, so wait until the end before reaching for the salt shaker.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 785Total Fat: 52gSaturated Fat: 25gUnsaturated Fat: 27gCholesterol: 163mgSodium: 1444mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 3gSugar: 6gProtein: 47g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
Diana Thomas says
What is triple cheddar cheese?
Jocelyn says
It is a cheddar cheese blend made by Kraft that has white, sharp, and mild cheddar all in one bag. I hope you enjoy the pasta!!!
Beth says
Wondering if you have ever frozen this dish?
Jocelyn says
I have never tried freezing this one before. I think it would be fine, although I would cook the tortellini a minute or two less so they are firmer. And I would add more shredded cheese on top before wrapping your dish with saran wrap and foil. To bake it, I would place it in the refrigerator the night before, then take it out 30 minutes before unwrapping and baking. I hope that helps. Please keep me posted on how it works for you.
Aimee @ShugarySweets says
I love all your skillet recipes, this one does not disappoint. I mean, how could it. You know how much I love bacon 🙂
cakespy says
Oh sweet baby cannoli (I have no idea what that means but it's what came to mind when I saw this recipe) I need this. SO COZY and it snowed today so it's perfect.