This creamy cheese tortellini dish brings together tender pasta pockets and fresh spinach in a rich tomato sauce, making it a perfect pasta dinner recipe for any night. The blend of Parmesan cheese and diced tomatoes adds a comforting touch, turning simple ingredients into a fast dinner recipe that feels special and satisfying.
Spinach Tomato Tortellini
Course: MainCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Easy4
servings30
minutes40
minutes1
hour10
minutesA creamy tomato and spinach sauce enveloping cheese tortellini brings back sweet memories of delicious meals.
Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package cheese tortellini
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with garlic and onion
1 cup chopped fresh spinach
1 ½ teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon minced garlic
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
¾ cup milk
¾ cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
- Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring it to a rolling boil. Add the tortellini and cook until tender, about 10 minutes.
- In a large saucepan, combine diced tomatoes, spinach, basil, garlic, salt, and pepper over medium heat. Cook and stir until it starts to bubble.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, cream, and flour. Add this to the saucepan along with grated Parmesan cheese. Stir and let it heat through for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Lower the heat and let the sauce simmer until thickened, about 2 minutes.
- Once the tortellini is cooked, drain it (do not rinse) and gently add it to the saucepan, stirring to coat with the sauce.
Notes
- This recipe is great as-is, but you can personalize it further by adding sautéed onions or adding red pepper flakes for a kick!
What You’ll Need
Gather these simple ingredients to create a delicious Spinach Tomato Tortellini meal:
- 1 (16 ounce) package cheese tortellini
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with garlic and onion
- 1 cup chopped fresh spinach
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¾ cup milk
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Large pot for cooking tortellini
- Large saucepan for sauce
- Medium bowl for mixing milk and cream
- Whisk for combining ingredients
- Colander for draining tortellini
Detailed Cooking Instructions
- Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring it to a rolling boil.
- Add the cheese tortellini to the boiling water and cook for about 10 minutes or until tender.
- While the tortellini cooks, heat a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Combine the diced tomatoes, chopped spinach, dried basil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in the saucepan. Cook and stir until the mixture starts to bubble, about 5 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, heavy cream, and flour until smooth.
- Pour the milk mixture into the saucepan and add the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir well to combine.
- Allow the sauce to heat through for about 3 to 5 minutes, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Once the tortellini is cooked, drain it without rinsing and gently add it to the sauce.
- Stir the tortellini in the sauce until all pasta is well coated. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips & Tricks
- To save time, consider using frozen cheese tortellini; it’s quick to cook and just as tasty.
- If you like a creamier sauce, you can mix in more heavy cream, adjusting to your taste.
- For added nutrition, toss in some cooked chicken or other veggies like bell peppers or zucchini.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat on the stovetop with a splash of milk to keep it creamy.
- Feel free to swap the fresh spinach for frozen spinach, just be sure to thaw and drain it well before adding to the sauce.
You Might Also Like
- Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe
- Stuffed Tortellini Slow Cooker Dinner
- Creamy Tortellini Carbonara Recipe
- Delicious Tomato Pasta Recipe
- Quick Microwave Mac And Cheese Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
Cheese tortellini is a type of pasta shaped like small rings filled with cheese, usually ricotta or a blend of cheeses. It cooks quickly and has a soft, tender texture that pairs well with many sauces.
Cheese tortellini goes well with classic tomato sauce, creamy Alfredo, or a simple browned butter sauce with sage. These sauces complement the rich, cheesy filling without overpowering it.
Tortellini pairs nicely with sautéed vegetables, fresh herbs, or a light salad to balance the richness of the pasta. You can also serve it with grilled chicken or mushrooms for added texture and flavor.
While tortellini is usually served with sauce, you can enjoy it plain with a drizzle of olive oil or melted butter and a sprinkle of cheese. This simple approach lets the filling shine on its own.
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