Delicious Pairings For Three Cheese Tortellini

Three-cheese tortellini is a versatile dish that can be served in many ways and paired with a variety of sides and sauces. The type of sauce or side you choose to accompany your three-cheese tortellini will depend on your taste preferences, dietary restrictions, and desired level of convenience.

Some popular sauce options include garlic butter sauce, alfredo sauce, and tomato-based sauces such as marinara. If you're short on time, you can simply heat up a jar of your favourite pasta sauce and combine it with the cooked tortellini.

For a heartier meal, you can bake your three-cheese tortellini in the oven with additional ingredients such as vegetables, meat, and extra cheese. This creates a comforting, cheesy casserole that can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to three days.

When it comes to side dishes, garlic bread or knots, roasted vegetables, and salads are all excellent choices to round out your meal.

With its combination of cheese and pasta, three-cheese tortellini is a great base for a variety of flavours and textures, so feel free to experiment and find your favourite combinations!

Three cheese tortellini with garlic butter sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 package of three-cheese tortellini (frozen, 19 oz bag)
• 1/4 cup of unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 3 cloves of garlic (finely minced)
• 1.5 tablespoons of cornstarch
• 1.5 cups of low-sodium vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
• 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh herbs like basil or parsley (for garnish)
• Grated parmesan cheese (for garnish)

Instructions:

• Boil the tortellini according to the package instructions in salted water. Drain and keep aside.
• In the same pot, heat butter and olive oil over medium-high heat until the butter is fully melted.
• Add the garlic and saute until golden brown.
• Dissolve cornstarch in the broth and pour this mixture into the pot.
• Mix in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
• Bring the mixture to a boil and let it cook, uncovered, until the sauce thickens.
• Add the boiled tortellini to the pot and mix until fully coated.
• Garnish with finely chopped fresh herbs and sprinkle grated parmesan cheese on top. Enjoy!

Tips:

• You can store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• For added flavor, boil the tortellini in vegetable broth instead of salted water.
• Adjust the amount of herbs and garlic to your preference.
• To thicken the sauce, cook uncovered on medium-high heat instead of adding more cornstarch.
• If the sauce becomes too thick, thin it out by adding some more broth.
• Be sure to dissolve the cornstarch before adding it to prevent lumps in the sauce.
• You can also use chicken broth instead of vegetable broth.
• For a lemon garlic sauce, add 1 teaspoon of lemon zest to the sauce.
• For a creamy garlic sauce, add some cream cheese or heavy cream.
• Try different flavors of tortellini and add proteins or vegetables to make it a fuller meal.

Three cheese tortellini bake

Ingredients

Two packages of refrigerated three-cheese tortellini, or one large bag of frozen tortellini (20 or more ounces)

One cup of sliced mushrooms

One cup of torn spinach (optional)

One 24-ounce jar of pasta sauce

Three-quarters of a cup of ricotta cheese

One cup of shredded mozzarella

A quarter of a cup of Parmesan cheese

One medium sweet onion, diced

Salt and black pepper to taste

One pound of lean ground beef

Three-quarters of a pound of spicy or sweet Italian sausage

Three cloves of garlic, minced

Two 24-ounce jars of marinara sauce

One eight-ounce container of chive and onion cream cheese, softened

One teaspoon of dry Italian seasoning

Method

Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 13x9-inch baking dish.

Cook the tortellini according to the package instructions, undercooking slightly, then drain.

In a large skillet, heat some olive oil and add the diced onion. Cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and beginning to brown. Add the garlic and sauté for another minute.

Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet. Season with salt and black pepper, and cook until no pink remains. Drain the excess fat.

Add the marinara sauce to the skillet and stir to combine. Remove from the heat.

In a separate bowl, mix together the cream cheese, dry Italian seasoning, and milk.

Spread half of the cooked tortellini in the bottom of the baking dish. Top with a third of the sauce, then dollop with half of the cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle with half of the shredded mozzarella cheese.

Repeat the layers of tortellini, sauce, cream cheese, and mozzarella.

Top with the final third of the sauce and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Bake for 30-40 minutes, until bubbly and golden. Let the bake stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Tips and Variations

This bake can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to three days. Simply cover the dish with foil and allow it to come to room temperature before baking, or add 20 minutes to the cooking time.

You can also use dry or frozen tortellini instead of fresh. Cook according to the package instructions before proceeding with the recipe.

For a vegetarian option, omit the ground beef and sausage, and add more vegetables if desired. Sautéed onions, red peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, or blanched vegetables would work well.

For an extra crunchy topping, add seasoned breadcrumbs and drizzle with olive oil before baking.

Three cheese tortellini with alfredo sauce

Ingredients:

For this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

• Three-cheese tortellini (fresh or refrigerated is recommended, but dry or frozen can also be used)
• Butter (unsalted or high-quality)
• Garlic (freshly minced)
• Flour (all-purpose)
• Milk or half-and-half (or a combination of whole milk and cream)
• Cream cheese (optional)
• Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)

Optional Add-Ins:

You can also consider adding some of the following ingredients to enhance the flavour and make it a more substantial meal:

• Broccoli florets or other vegetables like peas, spinach, or artichokes
• Leftover chicken or Italian sausage
• Red pepper flakes for a spicy kick
• Onions
• Mushrooms

Instructions:

Now, let's get cooking! Here's what you need to do:

• Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. You will use this to cook the tortellini according to the package instructions. Fresh or refrigerated tortellini will take less time to cook than dry or frozen, so keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.
• While the water is coming to a boil, melt the butter in a separate saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about a minute, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
• Whisk in the flour and continue whisking as you gradually add the milk and/or half-and-half. Keep whisking until the mixture thickens slightly, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
• Stir in the cheeses (cream cheese, if using, and Parmesan) until melted and combined. If the sauce becomes too thick, you can add a little more milk to adjust the consistency. Don't forget to season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Once the tortellini is cooked, drain it and add it to the saucepan with the alfredo sauce. Gently toss to coat the tortellini in the creamy sauce.
• Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley or basil if desired.

Tips and Variations:

• If you're using frozen tortellini, there's no need to thaw it first. Simply add an extra minute or two to the cooking time.
• For a dairy-free or vegan option, substitute unsweetened almond or soy milk for the dairy milk and use a dairy-free butter substitute or olive oil. Vegan parmesan or nutritional yeast can replace the conventional Parmesan cheese.
• If you prefer a lower-fat version, use low-fat milk instead of cream and consider substituting Neufchatel cheese or light cream cheese for the butter.
• This recipe can easily be doubled to feed a larger crowd or to ensure you have delicious leftovers!
• To reheat leftovers, it's best to use a double boiler or a gentle heat to avoid curdling the sauce.

Enjoy your homemade three cheese tortellini with alfredo sauce! It's a rich and indulgent dish that's perfect for a comforting weeknight meal or a special occasion.

Three cheese tortellini with marinara sauce

Ingredients

For this recipe, you will need:

• Three cheese tortellini (fresh, refrigerated, or frozen)
• Marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• Italian sausage (optional)
• Diced Italian tomatoes (canned or fresh)
• Mushrooms (optional)
• Cheese of your choice (mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan, or a combination)

Instructions

• Cook the tortellini according to the package instructions. Fresh or refrigerated tortellini will take about 2-3 minutes to cook, while frozen tortellini may take around 3-5 minutes. Drain the cooked pasta and set it aside.
• If you want to include meat in your sauce, cook the Italian sausage in a skillet over medium heat until it is browned. Drain the excess fat and set the cooked sausage aside.
• In the same skillet, add the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, and mushrooms (if using). Bring this mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 5 minutes or until the mushrooms are tender.
• Stir the cooked tortellini into the sauce. If you used Italian sausage, add that in as well.
• Sprinkle the desired amount of cheese on top of the pasta and sauce. Cover the skillet and let it stand for a few minutes until the cheese is melted.
• Serve the three cheese tortellini with marinara sauce while it's still hot. You can also garnish it with fresh herbs like basil or parsley.

Tips and Variations

• You can make this dish in a slow cooker by combining the cooked tortellini, sauce, and meat (if using). Sprinkle with cheese and cook on low until everything is heated through.
• Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese. Mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan are all great options, but you can also try Romano or any other cheese that melts well.
• If you want to add more vegetables, try sautéed bell peppers, onions, spinach, or olives.
• For a heartier meal, you can include proteins like shrimp, crispy bacon, or chicken.
• To make a tortellini bake, prepare the pasta and sauce as directed, then transfer the mixture to a baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese and bake in the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Three cheese tortellini soup

Three-cheese tortellini is a versatile dish that can be served as a side or main course. It can be paired with a variety of ingredients to create a hearty and comforting meal. Here is a recipe for a delicious and creamy three-cheese tortellini soup:

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound Italian sausage, casing removed
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium sweet onion, diced
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (9-ounce) package refrigerated three-cheese tortellini
• ½ bunch kale, stems removed and leaves chopped
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• Heavy cream, to taste

Instructions:

• Heat olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
• Add Italian sausage and cook until browned, ensuring to crumble the sausage as it cooks; drain excess fat.
• Stir in garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning. Cook until the onions are translucent, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
• Whisk in flour until lightly browned.
• Gradually whisk in chicken stock and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until slightly thickened.
• Stir in tortellini and cover the pot. Cook until the tortellini is tender.
• Stir in kale until wilted, then add heavy cream and basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve warm with crusty bread for dipping.

This soup can be made ahead of time and frozen, making it a convenient option for busy weeknights. It is a hearty and comforting meal, perfect for cold winter days. The combination of Italian sausage, kale, and three-cheese tortellini creates a flavourful and satisfying dish.

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