Patrick Oconnell
Cheese tortellini is a versatile dish that pairs well with various sauces. The best sauce depends on individual preferences, but some popular options include creamy tomato sauce, garlic butter sauce, and white wine cream sauce. Cream-based sauces, red marinara sauces, pesto, and walnut sauce are also common choices. For a simple and tasty option, a combination of butter and olive oil with garlic, oregano, white wine, and tomatoes creates a rich and silky texture. To elevate the dish, consider adding spinach, mixed greens, or grated Parmesan cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sauce Type | Creamy tomato sauce, Garlic butter sauce, White wine cream sauce, Walnut sauce, Pesto |
| Ingredients | Parmesan cheese, Basil, Salt, Pepper, Spinach, Garlic, Butter, Olive oil, Oregano, White wine, Tomatoes, Milk, Half and half, Flour, Red pepper flakes, Sun-dried tomato pesto, Heavy cream, Asiago cheese |
| Preparation Time | 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Creamy tomato sauce
To make the sauce, melt some butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for about a minute, stirring constantly. Add tomato paste, tomato sauce, cream, and Italian seasoning. Whisk until smooth. You can add a pinch of sugar to the sauce to cut through the acidity of the tomatoes. You can also add red pepper flakes to enhance the flavour.
Stir in the tortellini and cover the pan. Cook for about 5 minutes. If the tortellini is still firm, continue cooking for a few more minutes. If the sauce becomes too thick, add some more cream or chicken/vegetable broth to thin it out.
Finally, season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately with grated Parmesan cheese on top and some garlic bread on the side.
This creamy tomato sauce is a perfect match for cheese tortellini, creating a comforting and indulgent meal. It is a simple yet impressive dish, ideal for a weeknight dinner or even date night.
Chocolate Cookies: Best Brand for Cheesecake?
You may want to see also
Garlic butter sauce
When making garlic butter sauce, it is important not to substitute unsalted butter as it may make the sauce bland. Chicken broth also plays a crucial role in flavouring the sauce. Using low-sodium chicken broth or store-bought chicken broth may result in a bland sauce. Instead, homemade chicken broth or a batch of "Better than Bouillon" chicken base is recommended. For a vegetarian option, vegetable broth can be used.
Cheese for Chili Rellenos: The Best Melty Options
You may want to see also
Creamy tortellini sauce
Cheese tortellini is a versatile dish that pairs well with various sauces, from creamy options to red marinara-style sauces. For a truly indulgent experience, consider a creamy tortellini sauce that will elevate the flavours and textures of the dish.
One option for a creamy tortellini sauce is an Asiago and Parmesan cream sauce with browned butter and garlic. This sauce is a quick and easy option that can be made in about 30 minutes. The key to its depth of flavour is in the browning of the butter, which adds a subtle nutty taste that perfectly complements the savoury notes of the cheeses. To prepare this sauce, start by melting butter in a pan until it foams and turns a golden brown. Then, add smashed or minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Next, whisk in some flour and cook for a couple of minutes until it bubbles and turns golden. At this point, you can whisk in milk or a combination of milk and heavy cream, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens. Finally, remove the pan from the heat and stir in grated Parmesan and Asiago cheese until melted, adjusting the consistency and taste with additional milk or cheese as needed. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and you have a rich and indulgent sauce ready to be tossed with your freshly cooked tortellini.
Another variation of the creamy tortellini sauce is a creamy tomato sauce. This sauce combines cream, sun-dried tomato pesto, and aged hard Italian cheeses such as Parmesan, Grana Padano, Pecorino Romano, or Asiago. To prepare this sauce, heat the sun-dried tomato pesto with minced garlic over low heat for about 30 seconds. Then, add basil and heavy cream, whisking to combine. Bring the sauce to a simmer, and finish it off with grated cheese, creating a creamy and flavourful sauce. This sauce pairs well with tortellini of any filling, whether it's cheese, ground beef, or Italian sausage.
For a lighter option, you can use single cream or light cream (20% fat) in the creamy tomato sauce. Additionally, you can thin out the sauce with a splash of milk if desired. To enhance the sauce's flavour, you can add sautéed mushrooms, cooked ham, or a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick.
When preparing the tortellini, it's important to note that cooking times may vary depending on whether you're using refrigerated, frozen, or dried tortellini. Refrigerated tortellini typically cooks in 2 to 3 minutes, frozen tortellini in 3 to 5 minutes, and dried tortellini in about 10 to 11 minutes. The tortellini is done when it floats to the surface of the water and has an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
With these tips and recipes, you can create a delicious and indulgent creamy tortellini dish that's perfect for a comforting weeknight meal or a gourmet-style date night.
Pork's Perfect Cheese Partners: Finding the Best Match
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Garlic white wine sauce
Cheese tortellini is a versatile dish that pairs well with various sauces, and garlic white wine sauce is an excellent option that can be prepared in just 20 minutes. This sauce is a quick and simple vegetarian option that complements the tortellini without overwhelming its flavour.
To make the garlic white wine sauce, start by heating butter and olive oil in a large saute pan over medium-low heat until the butter melts and starts to sizzle. Then, add garlic, oregano, and a couple of pinches of salt and pepper. Saute this mixture for about a minute, stirring frequently, to infuse the sauce with a garlicky flavour.
Next, add white wine to the saute pan and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. This adds a depth of flavour to the sauce and helps to cook off the alcohol. After simmering, add tomatoes and another couple of pinches of salt and pepper, then simmer for an additional 3 minutes.
Finally, stir in some dark, leafy greens such as spinach and arugula, which pair well with the pasta and white wine. Add cooked tortellini to the pan and toss to coat evenly. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and garnish with fresh chopped parsley and Parmesan cheese.
This garlic white wine sauce is a perfect weeknight meal, as it is quick, easy, and sure to be enjoyed by the whole family. It is a lighter alternative to traditional cream-based sauces, providing a rich, silky texture without being too heavy.
Turkey's Cheesy Companion: Finding the Perfect Pair
You may want to see also
Marinara sauce
To make a basic marinara sauce, start by mashing canned tomatoes with an immersion blender until smooth. You can also chop them finely with a knife if you don't have a blender. Then, add salt and pepper to taste before mixing in olive oil until you reach your desired consistency. Typically, a thinner sauce works better with tortellini.
To elevate your basic marinara sauce, consider adding a small amount of unsalted butter for a richer flavour. You can also add fresh herbs like chopped parsley or basil for extra aroma and flavour. If you want to make your sauce even more indulgent, stir in some cream cheese, then top with mozzarella cheese and pop it under the grill.
The Best Way to Wrap Cheese
You may want to see also
