Description
Indulgent creamy tortellini with spinach brings Italian comfort right to dinner tables, blending rich cheese-filled pasta with silky smooth sauce. Hearty ingredients and quick preparation make this meal a delightful choice for busy home cooks craving restaurant-quality flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (9-12 oz / 255-340 g) package cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 tbsps chopped fresh basil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional for spice)
- Extra Parmesan for topping
Instructions
- Boil Tortellini: Submerge tortellini in a generously salted, rapidly bubbling water bath, cooking until they achieve a tender, pillowy texture – approximately 3-5 minutes for fresh varieties or 8 minutes for frozen parcels. Carefully extract and reserve.
- Craft Luxurious Sauce: Melt butter in a spacious skillet, introducing minced garlic and allowing its aromatic essence to permeate the pan. Cascade heavy cream into the simmering landscape, integrating Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Allow the mixture to gently thicken and develop a velvety consistency.
- Incorporate Greens and Pasta: Introduce vibrant spinach leaves into the creamy canvas, watching them delicately wilt and infuse the sauce with verdant hues. Tenderly fold the cooked tortellini, ensuring each pocket is lavishly embraced by the silky sauce.
- Elevate and Present: Garnish with an additional sprinkle of Parmesan, scattered sun-dried tomatoes, or fresh basil leaves to amplify the dish’s complexity. Serve immediately while the tortellini remains gloriously warm and inviting.
Notes
- Choose high-quality tortellini and ensure water is generously salted for maximum flavor absorption.
- Keep cream sauce at gentle simmer to prevent separation and maintain smooth, velvety texture.
- Add fresh spinach at the last moment to preserve vibrant color, nutrients, and prevent overcooking.
- Substitute heavy cream with light coconut milk for dairy-free version, or use gluten-free tortellini for celiac-friendly meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 60mg