Description
This Creamy Tomato Tortellini recipe delivers a rich, flavorful pasta dish ready in just 25 minutes. Featuring cheese tortellini enveloped in a luscious tomato cream sauce enriched with fresh spinach, basil, and a blend of savory herbs, this meal is perfect for a quick yet satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 20 ounces cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1.5 cups whole milk
- 0.5 cup heavy whipping cream
- 15 oz can petite diced tomatoes
- 1.5 cups baby spinach leaves, chopped
- 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 0.5 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Crushed red pepper flakes, for added heat
Instructions
- Cook Tortellini: Cook the cheese tortellini according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside to prepare the sauce.
- Make the Roux and Aromatics: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter until bubbly. Whisk in the all-purpose flour until smooth, creating a roux that will thicken the sauce. Add the minced garlic and onion powder, cooking for a minute or two until fragrant.
- Add Dairy and Thicken Sauce: Gradually pour in the whole milk and heavy whipping cream while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Continue cooking and whisking until the sauce is smooth and starts to gently simmer.
- Incorporate Tomatoes and Herbs: Stir in the petite diced tomatoes, chopped spinach, fresh basil, and dried oregano. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Allow the mixture to combine and heat through.
- Add Parmesan and Combine: Mix in the freshly grated parmesan cheese until melted into the sauce. Then, gently fold in the cooked tortellini, ensuring each piece is well coated with the creamy tomato sauce. Heat through briefly before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen tortellini depending on availability; cooking times may vary slightly.
- Adjust seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes to your preferred level of spice.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with additional milk or a low-fat alternative.
- Fresh basil enhances flavor but can be substituted with dried basil if unavailable; use less when dried.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
