Patrick Oconnell
There are many ways to prepare cheese tortellini, and it can be used in a variety of recipes. For a simple dish, you can toss it in a creamy garlic and herb sauce, or a tomato cream sauce with Parmesan cheese and wilted baby spinach. For a more indulgent option, try a mushroom cream sauce or a garlic butter sauce. Cheese tortellini is also great in soups, pasta bakes, and salads. You can even get creative and add your own twist with vegetables, meats, or extra cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Dish | Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish, Salad, Soup |
| Tortellini Fillings | Cheese, Ground Beef, Italian Sausage, and more |
| Sauces | Cream-based, Red Marinara, Garlic Butter, Pesto, Walnut Sauce, Tomato Cream, Mushroom Cream, Turkey Bolognese, Wine Sauce |
| Add-ons | Chicken, Shrimp, Beef, Spinach, Broccoli, Peas, Carrots, Onions, Tomatoes, Mushrooms, Baby Corn, Parmesan Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese, Parsley, Red Pepper Flakes, Black Pepper |
| Tortellini Cooking Time | 2-3 minutes (soft/refrigerated), 3-5 minutes (frozen), 10-11 minutes (dried) |
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What You'll Learn
Tomato cream sauce with spinach and Parmesan
This recipe is perfect for a quick and delicious weeknight meal. It is simple, creamy, and can be made in under 30 minutes. The sauce is light yet rich and flavorful, and the spinach adds a bright colour and freshness to the dish.
Ingredients:
- Cheese tortellini (fresh, frozen, or dried)
- Tomato puree or canned diced tomatoes
- Spinach (baby spinach or regular spinach, chopped into small pieces)
- Basil (fresh or dried)
- Salt
- Pepper
- Milk (low fat, reduced fat, or whole milk) or heavy cream
- Butter
- Flour
- Parmesan cheese (freshly grated is ideal)
Optional Ingredients:
- Red pepper flakes
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Parsley
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt to the water.
- Add the tortellini and cook according to package instructions. Fresh or frozen tortellini will take around 2-5 minutes, while dried tortellini will take around 10-11 minutes.
- While the tortellini is cooking, prepare the sauce.
- In a large pan, heat the tomato puree or diced tomatoes with their juices, spinach, garlic, basil, salt, and pepper. Saute over medium heat for about 3 minutes until the juices begin to boil. If using fresh tomatoes, simmer for 10 minutes first.
- Slowly pour in the milk or heavy cream and stir.
- Add the butter and flour and stir continuously until the flour is absorbed and the mixture thickens.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese.
- Simmer the sauce for another 2-5 minutes until it thickens.
- Drain the tortellini and add it to the pan with the sauce. Toss gently to combine.
- Serve with additional grated Parmesan cheese, fresh basil leaves, and red pepper flakes, if desired.
Tips:
- For a lighter dish, use milk instead of heavy cream, and half and half instead of cream.
- For a vegan option, use oat milk, plant-based butter, and vegan Parmesan cheese, along with vegan tortellini.
- For added colour and flavour, include sun-dried tomatoes and parsley.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of milk or pasta water. If it is too thin, add more cheese.
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Garlic butter sauce with basil
Cheese tortellini is a versatile dish that can be served as a comforting weeknight meal or a hot appetizer for a party. A simple yet delicious way to prepare it is with a garlic butter sauce and basil. This recipe can be made in one pot on the stovetop and is ready in under 30 minutes.
To make garlic butter sauce with basil for cheese tortellini, start by boiling the tortellini according to the package instructions. Fresh or refrigerated tortellini will take around 2 to 3 minutes to cook, while frozen tortellini will take 3 to 5 minutes, and dried tortellini around 10 to 11 minutes. Be sure to add salt to the water to bring out more flavor in the cheese tortellini. Drain the tortellini and set it aside.
In a separate non-stick skillet or pot, melt butter over medium to medium-high heat until it foams and add olive oil. Add minced garlic and sauté until golden brown, being careful not to let it burn. You can also add some dried basil at this stage and sauté for about 2 minutes to release its fragrance.
Next, you'll create the sauce. Dissolve cornstarch in broth and pour this mixture into the skillet or pot. Add Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, and bring to a boil. Let the sauce cook uncovered until it thickens.
Finally, add the cooked tortellini to the skillet and toss to coat each piece evenly with the garlic butter sauce. Pour into a serving dish and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil or parsley.
This dish can be served as a main course or appetizer and is best enjoyed fresh. However, leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
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Chicken broth
If you want to add chicken to your tortellini en brodo, bone-in chicken breast or thighs are ideal for adding flavour to the broth, but boneless chicken or leftover/rotisserie chicken can also be used. You can also add vegetables like frozen peas, corn, or green beans to the soup.
For a heartier dish, you can sauté chicken with garlic in butter before adding the broth and tortellini. This creates a rich and comforting meal.
When serving tortellini in chicken broth, it's important to note that the tortellini will continue to absorb the broth during storage. To avoid this, you can remove the tortellini from the soup and store it separately, adding it to individual serving bowls when ready to eat.
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Mushroom cream sauce
Cheese tortellini is a versatile dish that pairs well with various sauces, and mushroom cream sauce is a delicious option that adds a decadent touch. Here is a step-by-step guide to making mouthwatering cheese tortellini with mushroom cream sauce:
Ingredients:
- Cheese tortellini (fresh, frozen, or refrigerated)
- Mushrooms (white, cremini, chanterelle, portobello, or a mix of your choice)
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Italian seasoning or parsley
- Salt and pepper
- Heavy whipping cream or sour cream
- Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
- Optional: Truffle oil, chicken broth, dry white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, or Pinot Grigio)
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Mushrooms
Slice or dice the mushrooms. You can use a variety of mushrooms, such as white, cremini, chanterelle, or portobello, or a combination of your choice. Sauté the mushrooms in a pan with butter and olive oil over medium heat until they are golden brown. Season the mushrooms with garlic, Italian seasoning or parsley, salt, and pepper to enhance their flavour.
Step 2: Create the Cream Sauce
In the same pan, add some wine to deglaze it and simmer for about a minute. If you prefer not to use wine, you can substitute it with chicken broth. Add more butter and minced garlic to the pan and cook until the butter melts and the garlic becomes fragrant. Stir in the heavy whipping cream or sour cream and bring the mixture to a simmer for about 5 minutes.
Step 3: Combine with Tortellini and Cheese
Reduce the heat to low and add the grated parmesan cheese to the sauce, whisking to combine. Stir in the cooked cheese tortellini and the sautéed mushrooms. Make sure the tortellini is cooked according to the package instructions before adding it to the sauce.
Step 4: Serve and Garnish
Serve the tortellini immediately while it's nice and hot. For an extra indulgent touch, drizzle a small amount of truffle oil over the dish. Garnish with additional grated parmesan cheese, and perhaps some fresh herbs like basil or oregano.
Tips and Variations:
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, simply add more grated parmesan cheese to the mixture.
- For a spicy kick, add some crushed red pepper flakes or black pepper to the dish.
- While refrigerated or frozen tortellini works well, avoid pre-boiling the pasta to achieve the perfect al dente texture.
- If you want to make this dish vegetarian, opt for cheese tortellini filled with spinach, artichoke, or cheese instead of meat fillings.
Cheese tortellini in mushroom cream sauce is a hearty and comforting meal that can be prepared in under an hour. It's a delicious way to elevate your pasta night and impress your taste buds!
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Pesto
Once you have your pesto, cook the cheese tortellini according to the package instructions. Drain the tortellini and return it to the pot. Then, stir the pesto into the pot with the tortellini. You can also add some olive oil and mix the two together before adding the tortellini.
There are several ways to customize this dish. You can top it with shredded chicken, toasted pine nuts, or roasted cherry tomatoes. You can also add baby spinach, which will wilt down. If you want to add some protein, you can include leftover chicken, sausage, pork, shrimp, or tuna. For some extra flavor, try adding red pepper flakes, freshly cracked pepper, or lemon juice.
This dish is versatile and can be served as a main course or a side. It is also family-friendly and can be adapted for picky eaters or kids who are unsure about pesto.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese tortellini goes well with a variety of sauces, including cream-based sauces, red marinara-type sauces, browned butter, pesto, walnut sauce, and garlic butter sauce.
Cheese tortellini can be used in many recipes, including pasta bakes, soups, pasta salads, and cheesy snacks. Some specific recipes that use cheese tortellini include Chicken Marsala Tortellini, Sausage Tortellini Soup, and Greek Salad with Cheese Tortellini.
When cooking with cheese tortellini, it's important to cook the pasta al dente, as it will continue to cook in the sauce. Additionally, it's a good idea to save the pasta water to use in making the sauce. For a more flavorful dish, you can add vegetables, meats, or extra cheese.
![Genuine USGI MRE [Meal, Ready to Eat] Inspection Date 01/2026 or Newer [New Packaging] - You Choose Menu Ration with Entree, Snacks, Dessert, Drink Mix, Utensils, Condiments and FRH. (Cheese Tortellini)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71M8z+3daTL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
