Description
Creamy Cheese Tortellini with Meat Sauce is a comforting and easy-to-make weeknight dinner that combines tender cheese-filled tortellini with a rich, savory meat sauce enveloped in a luscious creamy texture. Ready in under 30 minutes, this dish is perfect for families looking for a satisfying yet light meal that pleases both kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Scale
Creamy Cheese Tortellini
- Fresh or frozen cheese tortellini (about 1 pound)
Meat Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or fresh basil
Creamy Sauce
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
Garnishes
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (to taste)
- Chopped fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat Sauce: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped onions and garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent. Next, crumble in ground beef or sausage, cooking thoroughly until browned. Drain excess fat, then stir in crushed tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Let the sauce simmer gently to marry the flavors and thicken slightly.
- Cook the Tortellini: While your sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add your cheese tortellini and cook according to the package instructions—usually 3 to 5 minutes for fresh or frozen. Once tender, drain and reserve a bit of pasta water to adjust sauce consistency later if needed.
- Combine Sauce and Tortellini: Lower heat to medium-low and slowly pour in heavy cream or half-and-half to the meat sauce, stirring continuously. Allow the sauce to become creamy and luscious, then fold in the cooked tortellini gently. If needed, add reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce to your liking, ensuring that every tortellini is beautifully coated.
- Garnish and Serve: Turn off the heat and sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped basil over the dish. Serve immediately while warm, allowing the cheese to melt into the sauce ensuring every bite is a creamy delight.
Notes
- Use fresh tortellini whenever possible for a tender, delicate texture.
- Don’t rush sautéing the garlic and onions to build deep, rich flavor.
- Simmer the sauce gently to meld flavors without overcooking the meat.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust and loosen sauce consistency perfectly.
- Finish with fresh herbs to brighten and enhance the dish’s freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Creamy Cheese Tortellini, Meat Sauce Pasta, Easy Weeknight Dinner, Italian Comfort Food, Tortellini Recipe
