Effortless Gourmet: Creamy Parmesan Tortellini with Tomatoes

Tortellini is one of my favorite dishes, especially for lazy weeknight dinners. It’s fast, easy, and always delicious. There’s a variety of sauces to choose from, giving it a new and fresh taste every time. This creamy Parmesan tortellini is paired with red peppers and tomatoes, and it’s covered in a cream sauce that’s not too heavy. The dish comes together quickly and tastes much fancier than it actually is. Imagine cheese tortellini tossed in a creamy tomato sauce, with a salty Parmesan flavor and wilted baby spinach. It’s a simple, perfect, and quick meal.

I’ve been a huge fan of quick weeknight meals lately. On busy weeknights, I’m always looking for ways to get dinner on the table quickly and with minimal effort. This super-comforting tortellini in a creamy, garlicky tomato sauce is my go-to because it’s prepped and cooked in under 15 minutes.

Master the Art of Simple Cooking: Creamy Parmesan Tortellini with Tomatoes – Your Go-To Busy Day Delight!

Creamy Parmesan Tortellini with Tomatoes Ingredients

1. Gather the Ingredients 🛒: When making Creamy Parmesan Tortellini with Tomatoes, gather the right ingredients. Buy cheese tortellini from Costco or other grocery stores. Find it in the refrigerated or frozen sections. If in a pinch, ravioli can work too.
2. Add Flavor 🌶️: Use red bell pepper, cherry or grape tomatoes, and garlic for extra flavor.
3. Make the Sauce 🥛: For the sauce, use whole milk or 2% milk for a richer taste. The creamy parmesan sauce benefits from the extra fat.
4. Enhance the Dish 🍲: Add chicken broth, or if you’re a vegetarian, substitute with vegetable broth. Use cream cheese, preferably full fat, for a smooth texture.
5. Finish with Seasoning 🧂: Don’t forget the Parmesan cheese for that salty finish. Use olive oil, salt, and black pepper to season. These simple yet flavorful ingredients come together to make a comforting and delicious meal that everyone will love.

Creamy Parmesan Tortellini with Tomatoes Instructions

1. Cook the tortellini according to the package instructions. 🍝
2. While cooking, heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-low heat. 🔥
3. Add red bell peppers and cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. 🌶️
4. Next, add tomatoes and cook for a minute and a half. 🍅
5. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring continuously. 🧄
6. Add milk, chicken broth or vegetable broth, and cream cheese to the pan. 🥛
7. Turn the heat to medium and cook until the cream cheese is melted and combined, about 5-6 minutes. 🕒
8. Stir frequently to prevent burning. 🔄
9. Add cheese, salt, and black pepper, then stir until everything is melted and combined. 🧀
10. Add the drained tortellini, mix until fully coated, and garnish with basil and parmesan cheese. 🌿
11. Serve immediately. 🍽️

HOW TO MAKE YOUR CHEESE TORTELLINI WITH TOMATO CREAM SAUCE

To make your Cheese Tortellini with Tomato Cream Sauce, start with pre-made tortellini. I love using Buitoni’s fresh tortellini from the refrigeration section, but a bag of frozen tortellini works too. As the tortellini boils, get your sauce ready. The sauce simmers on the stove-top and finishes just as the tortellini does, making this an entire meal you can complete in less than 15 minutes – a perfect quick meal.

For the sauce, combine tomato puree, garlic, basil, salt, and pepper, then let it simmer with milk, half and half, and parmesan cheese until it gets thick. Fold in baby spinach at the end so it wilts without becoming overcooked and soggy. Don’t forget to add some salt to your boiling water to enhance the flavor of the cheese tortellini. This method ensures the cooked spinach stays perfect and the whole dish is flavorful and satisfying.

Quick Tips for Your Creamy Parmesan Tortellini with Tomatoes: 

This dish pairs wonderfully with a light Cesar salad, ensuring you get all the food groups and feel full and satisfied. For an extra burst of flavor, try adding red pepper flakes at the end to give your cheese tortellini a spicy kick.

When serving, the light Cesar salad not only complements the rich flavors of the tortellini, but also balances the meal, making it complete and fulfilling. The addition of red pepper flakes adds a surprising twist that elevates the entire dish. This simple yet delicious combination will leave everyone at the table feeling satisfied and eager for more.

Ingredients

FAQS

What is a Tortellini Noodle? 

Tortellini is a ring-shaped stuffed pasta that is typically filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables. It is a traditional pasta from Bologna, Italy, and is often served in broth. A larger version of tortellini is called Tortelloni. In Italy, it is traditional to serve tortellini this way on Christmas Eve.

What do you eat tortellini with? 

Tortellini can be enjoyed with many types of sauces. They are delicious with cream-based sauces, red marinara-type sauces, browned butter, pesto, and even walnut sauce. These options are great because tortellini remind me of ravioli, so if you’d eat something with ravioli, you can also enjoy it with tortellini. The variety of fillings in tortellini makes them versatile and perfect with different sauces.

What’s the difference between tortellini and tortelloni? 

Tortelloni is a type of pasta with a similar shape to tortellini but is larger, typically weighing 5 g compared to 2 g for tortellini. While tortellini usually has a meat-based filling, tortelloni is filled with ricotta and sometimes parsley or spinach. This makes tortelloni a great vegetarian option, whereas tortellini is perfect for meat lovers.

How do Italians eat tortellini?

 In Italy, meat tortellini are traditionally served in broth, but they are also enjoyed with various toppings like cheese sauce, cream sauce, pesto, or tomato sauce. There are even cheese versions of tortellini that can be eaten as a dessert. This versatility makes tortellini a beloved dish with endless possibilities for delicious meals.