Description
Indulgent creamy cheese tortellini delivers comfort straight from Italian kitchens, promising rich pasta perfection. Delicate pasta pockets filled with smooth cheese create a quick, satisfying meal perfect for dinner enthusiasts craving authentic flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 1 package (9 oz/255 g) cheese tortellini
Dairy:
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) milk
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup (50 g) grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp (30 g) cream cheese
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
- 1/4 cup (15 g) fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, preparing to cook the cheese tortellini until al dente, typically 7-9 minutes.
- While the water heats, mince garlic and chop fresh parsley, setting aside for later use.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant and lightly golden, about 1-2 minutes.
- Pour heavy cream and milk into the skillet, stirring to combine with the garlic and creating a smooth base for the sauce.
- Gently incorporate cream cheese, stirring continuously until it melts completely and blends into the liquid mixture.
- Sprinkle in mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, whisking until the sauce becomes velvety and all cheese is fully integrated.
- Add dried basil, salt, and black pepper to the sauce, stirring to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Drain the cooked tortellini, reserving a small amount of pasta water, and immediately transfer to the cheese sauce.
- Toss the tortellini gently to coat each piece thoroughly with the creamy sauce, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to achieve desired consistency.
- Remove from heat and garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving hot, allowing the herbs to release their aromatic flavors.
Notes
- Swap out heavy cream for half-and-half or whole milk to reduce calories and create a lighter sauce.
- Use gluten-free tortellini to make the dish celiac-friendly and accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Reserve pasta water before draining as a secret weapon for adjusting sauce thickness without compromising flavor.
- Keep cheese shredded at room temperature to help it melt more smoothly and prevent clumping in the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 635
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 44 g
- Saturated Fat: 24 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg