Tortellini Alfredo is deliciously creamy, with flavors of garlic and parmesan cheese. This indulgent pasta dish is perfect for an easy dinner recipe that the whole family will love.
Pasta is popular because it’s simple, filling and absolutely delicious. This simple tortellini recipe only takes a few minutes to prepare and can be ready in less than 30 minutes.
Tortellini Alfredo
Tortellini Alfredo is made with fresh tortellini which only takes a few minutes to cook. The alfredo sauce is made with butter, garlic, cream and parmesan cheese. Add the cooked tortellini and spinach to the pasta dish and garnish with chopped parsley. A simple weeknight dinner the whole family will love! This meatless pasta dish is wonderful as is, but you can add a some shredded or grilled chicken for a little protein if you’d like.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH TORTELLINI ALFREDO?
Tortellini Alfredo pairs well with salad and a slice of warm garlic bread! Sometimes I like to serve steamed mixed veggies on the side, or fresh green beans or asparagus. And of course, a slice of chocolate cake after your meal is always a good idea!
Ingredients in Tortellini Alfredo
Tortellini – Spinach and cheese flavored tortellini pasta was used in this recipe, however any flavor of tortellini can be used. I prefer to use fresh tortellini (found in the refrigerated section), but you can use dried tortellini or frozen tortellini.
Butter – I use salted butter, but unsalted works too. For best results, use real butter.
Garlic – Fresh garlic tastes best in this recipe, however the fresh garlic can be substituted with 3 heaping teaspoons of minced jar garlic.
Heavy cream – It’s best to use a whole fat heavy cream in this sauce. Using lower fat varieties may result in a thinner sauce.
Parmesan cheese – Use pre-grated parmesan cheese, or grate it yourself from a block of parmesan.
Salt and pepper – Season the sauce with salt and pepper to suit your tastes.
Baby spinach leaves – Use fresh baby spinach leaves. The spinach is optional, and can be omitted if preferred.
Parsley – The fresh parsley leaves are used to garnish the cooked pasta, however they are optional and can be omitted if preferred.
How to make Tortellini Alfredo
Cook the tortellini according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain the rest and set the cooked tortellini aside.
While the tortellini is cooking, melt the butter in a large skillet. Add the garlic and cook over medium heat, while stirring, for about 30 seconds or until fragrant.
Add the heavy cream and parmesan cheese to the skillet. Simmer for 5 minutes or until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Add the cooked tortellini and chopped baby spinach leaves to the skillet. Simmer for 2 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and the spinach has wilted. Add a small amount of the reserved pasta water if the sauce needs thinning.
Garnish the tortellini with the chopped parsley and serve.
Tips for making the perfect Tortellini Alfredo
- You can add some of the reserved pasta cooking water to the sauce to thin it out. If you like a thicker sauce, you can leave it out.
- The sauce will thicken once the pasta has been added, and on standing.
- The pasta can be garnished with extra grated parmesan cheese just before serving.
Tortellini Alfredo
Ingredients
- 18 oz. fresh tortellini
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic finely diced or crushed
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ½ cup parmesan cheese grated
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups lightly packed baby spinach leaves roughly chopped
- ¼ cup finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
Instructions
- Cook the tortellini according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain the rest and set the cooked tortellini aside.
- While the tortellini is cooking, melt the butter in a large skillet. Add the garlic and cook over medium heat, while stirring, for about 30 seconds or until fragrant.
- Add the heavy cream and parmesan cheese to the skillet. Simmer for 5 minutes or until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Add the cooked tortellini and chopped baby spinach leaves to the skillet. Simmer for 2 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and the spinach has wilted. Add a small amount of the reserved pasta water if the sauce needs thinning.
- Garnish the tortellini with the chopped parsley and serve.
Nutrition
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HOW TO COOK CHEESE TORTELLINI
Cheese tortellini is cooked in boiling water, usually for about 7-8 minutes, depending on what type of tortellini you use. You can use either frozen tortellini, fresh tortellini from the refrigerated section, or even the tortellini from the shelf near all of the other dried pasta.
To make the tortellini, add a little bit of olive oil and a little bit of salt to a large pot of water. Make sure your pot is large enough! If the pot is too small, the pasta won’t have enough room to boil and will begin to stick together. Bring the water to a boil and cook according the time given on the package. Fresh tortellini cooks faster and the dried tortellini will take the longest to cook.
How to store tortellini alfredo
Store the leftover pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
This pasta is suitable for freezing in an airtight container for up to 3 months, however the sauce may separate upon thawing. In this case, stir well while reheating on the stovetop until the sauce comes together.
More delicious pasta recipes to try:
- EASY GARDEN VEGETABLE PASTA
- LEMONY GARLIC PASTA
- CROCKPOT CHICKEN ALFREDO LASAGNA
- COPYCAT CHILI’S CAJUN CHICKEN PASTA
- EASY GARLIC BUTTER PASTA
- CHEESY BAKED TORTELLINI
- CHICKEN BACON RANCH PASTA
- CREAMY GARLIC PARMESAN PASTA
- SAUSAGE PEPPER PASTA
- LASAGNA WITH COTTAGE CHEESE
- EASY CHICKEN MANICOTTI
Tortellini Alfredo is deliciously creamy, with flavors of garlic and parmesan cheese. This indulgent pasta dish is perfect for an easy dinner recipe that the whole family will love.
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