Description
Spinach tomato tortellini creates a delightful Italian-inspired pasta dish packed with rich flavors. Quick weeknight dinners welcome this creamy, herb-infused meal you’ll savor with comfort and satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
- 20 oz/567 g cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- ½ cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Fresh basil or extra Parmesan (for garnish)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook tortellini until they float and reach al dente texture, maintaining a delicate firmness.
- Sauce Foundation: Heat olive oil in a large skillet, then introduce minced garlic, allowing its fragrance to bloom without scorching for 30 seconds.
- Tomato Transformation: Add cherry tomatoes, coaxing them to caramelize and break down, developing a concentrated sweetness over 2-3 minutes.
- Sauce Elevation: Pour heavy cream and broth, then integrate Parmesan cheese, creating a silky base. Season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes to build depth of flavor.
- Leafy Integration: Fold spinach into the simmering sauce, watching it delicately wilt and meld with the creamy mixture while the sauce thickens.
- Final Composition: Gently toss cooked tortellini in the aromatic sauce, finishing with a pat of butter for luxurious sheen and glossiness.
- Presentation: Plate the tortellini, adorning with freshly torn basil leaves and a delicate sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for an elegant finish.
Notes
- Optimize Pasta Texture: Cook tortellini just until they float, preventing overcooking which leads to mushy, soggy pasta.
- Control Garlic Intensity: Sauté garlic briefly to release flavor without burning, which can create bitter undertones.
- Manage Tomato Caramelization: Allow cherry tomatoes to gently break down, concentrating their natural sweetness without scorching.
- Balance Sauce Consistency: Simmer sauce slowly, stirring occasionally to achieve a thick, clinging texture that perfectly coats tortellini.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 100mg