Bushra Griffith
Cheese tortellini is a fun and delicious dish that can be served in many ways. It is made with fresh pasta and filled with ricotta, Parmesan, and spinach. The dough is made with eggs and flour, and the tortellini is boiled in water. You can add meat, vegetables, or different types of cheese to the filling, and it can be served with a variety of sauces, such as tomato cream sauce, garlic butter sauce, or pesto.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dough | Flour, eggs, salt, olive oil |
| Filling | Ricotta, Parmesan, spinach |
| Sauce | Tomato, garlic, basil, salt, pepper, milk, Parmesan |
| Cooking Method | Boiled in water |
| Cooking Time | Until it floats to the top |
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What You'll Learn
Dough ingredients
The dough for cheese tortellini is typically made with just two ingredients: eggs and flour. Some recipes also include salt and olive oil in the dough. The dough should be soft, elastic, and thin. It is important to knead the dough long enough but not too much.
To make the dough, you can start by making a mound of flour on your kitchen counter and creating a well in the middle. Then, add the eggs, salt, and olive oil (if using) to the well. Using a fork, start beating the eggs, gradually incorporating the flour from the sides of the mound. Use your other hand to prevent the liquid from spilling outside the flour mound.
Once the dough is mixed, it's time to roll it out. The goal is to get the dough thin and even, creating a nice canvas for the tortellini filling. If you're using a machine, follow the manufacturer's instructions for rolling the dough. If you're rolling the dough by hand, lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin to prevent sticking. Start from the center of the dough and roll outward in all directions, turning the dough as you go to ensure even thickness.
After rolling, the dough is ready to be cut and shaped into the distinctive tortellini form. However, before shaping, some recipes call for letting the dough rest for a brief period, which can make it easier to handle.
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Filling ingredients
Cheese tortellini is filled with a variety of ingredients, with ricotta cheese being the most common. Other popular cheeses used include Parmesan, Pecorino Romano, mozzarella, and Asiago. In addition to cheese, tortellini fillings can also include vegetables such as spinach, mushrooms, or garlic, and meats such as pepperoni, prosciutto, ground beef, or Italian sausage.
The versatility of tortellini fillings allows for a range of flavour combinations and pairings. For a vegetarian option, a combination of ricotta, Parmesan, and spinach is a popular choice. This can be served with a variety of sauces, including tomato cream sauce, marinara sauce, pesto, or walnut sauce. The addition of baby spinach or basil at the end adds a fresh touch to the dish.
For meat lovers, cured meats such as pepperoni or prosciutto can be added to the filling. Ground beef or Italian sausage are also popular choices, and these tortellini can be served in a soup or with a cream-based sauce.
When making cheese tortellini, it is important to ensure that the filling is not too watery. This can be achieved by draining the cheese, particularly ricotta, before use. The dough for the tortellini is typically made with flour and eggs, and sometimes olive oil and salt, to create a soft, elastic, and thin wrapper for the filling.
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Shaping the pasta
Firstly, roll out your dough on a clean surface. You want the dough to be thin, soft, and elastic—this will ensure the pasta is tender and easy to shape. Use a pasta cutter or knife to cut the dough into strips, about 3 inches (7.5 cm) wide. You can also use a pasta machine for this step if you have one.
Next, take one strip of dough and cut it into small squares, roughly 1.25 inches (3 cm) in size. You can do this with a pasta cutter, knife, or even a pizza cutter. Each square will become one tortellini, so prepare as many as you need.
Now for the shaping: place a small amount of your chosen filling—about a teaspoon—in the centre of each square. You can use a variety of fillings, but traditional tortellini is filled with ricotta, Parmesan, and spinach. Fold the left and right corners of the square into the centre, so they meet and stick together, encasing the filling. Finally, take the remaining corners and twist them around each other, dabbing a little egg wash to seal the pasta into its distinctive tortellini shape.
Once you have shaped your tortellini, you can cook them immediately, or freeze them for later. To cook, boil a pot of water and add a pinch of salt. Gently place the tortellini into the water and cook until they float to the top. Fresh pasta cooks very quickly, so keep an eye on the pot to avoid overcooking. Drain the tortellini and serve with your choice of sauce.
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Boiling the tortellini
For fresh tortellini, the cooking time is very quick; you'll know it's ready when the tortellini floats to the top of the pot. This usually takes around 2 to 3 minutes, and you can then drain the tortellini and add it to your sauce. If you're making a larger batch, it's best to cook the tortellini in smaller quantities to avoid overcooking.
Frozen tortellini will take a little longer to cook, and you can follow the package instructions for the recommended cooking time. Typically, it should take around 7 minutes for frozen tortellini to cook to al dente. Again, look out for the tortellini floating to the top as a sign that it's ready.
Dried tortellini has the longest cooking time, and you'll need to follow the package instructions, which usually recommend around 10 to 11 minutes of boiling. As with fresh and frozen tortellini, the floating test is a reliable indicator of doneness.
Once your tortellini is cooked, it's essential to drain it thoroughly and then add it to your chosen sauce. This ensures the tortellini doesn't become soggy and allows the sauce to adhere properly.
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Sauce pairings
Cheese tortellini is a versatile dish that can be paired with various sauces to enhance its flavour. The type of sauce you choose will depend on your personal preference and the specific flavours you want to accentuate. Here are some sauce pairings to consider:
Marinara Sauce
A tangy marinara sauce is a classic choice for cheese tortellini. The rich, tangy flavour of the marinara pairs well with the creamy cheese filling of the tortellini. This sauce is typically made with tomato puree, garlic, basil, and other seasonings, creating a vibrant and flavourful addition to the dish.
Pesto
Pesto is another excellent option for cheese tortellini. The nutty, herbaceous flavour of pesto complements the cheese filling beautifully. Pesto is typically made with basil, pine nuts, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, resulting in a vibrant green sauce that adds a touch of sophistication to your dish.
Cream-based Sauces
Cheese tortellini also pairs well with cream-based sauces. A simple tomato cream sauce, for example, can be made by simmering tomato puree with milk, half-and-half, and Parmesan cheese. The result is a rich, indulgent sauce that enhances the creaminess of the tortellini filling. You can also add baby spinach to this sauce for a touch of colour and freshness.
Garlic Butter Sauce
For a more savoury option, consider pairing your cheese tortellini with a garlic butter sauce. This sauce is perfect for those who want a robust and flavourful dish. The garlic and butter create a rich, aromatic base that coats each piece of tortellini. Adding dried or fresh basil to this sauce provides a touch of herbal freshness to balance the savoury notes.
Broth-based Soups
Cheese tortellini can also be added to broth-based soups, such as chicken noodle soup or Italian sausage soup. The tortellini cooks directly in the broth, absorbing the flavours of the soup while adding its own cheesy goodness. This creates a comforting and hearty meal, perfect for cold days.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese tortellini is made of fresh pasta filled with ricotta, Parmesan, and fresh spinach. The dough is made with eggs and flour.
Ravioli are small, square, flat noodles that are pressed together. Tortellini, on the other hand, are small, round dumplings. Both are typically stuffed with a combination of meats and/or cheeses.
Cheese tortellini can be served in many ways. Popular recipes include cheese tortellini in garlic butter sauce, chicken broth, and tomato cream sauce.
Fresh cheese tortellini cooks very quickly. It is ready when it floats to the top of the boiling water, which typically takes about 7 minutes.
