Description
Rich, creamy Bacon Tortellini Alfredo brings Italian comfort straight to dinner tables with smoky bacon and luxurious sauce. Cheese-stuffed tortellini swimming in silky alfredo promises a delightful meal you’ll savor down to the last delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (567 g) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- ½ cup whole milk
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Fill a spacious pot with salted water, bringing it to a rolling boil. Immerse tortellini and cook precisely per package guidelines, then carefully drain and reserve.
- Bacon Transformation: Position a large skillet over medium flame. Render chopped bacon until achieving a crisp, golden texture. Extract bacon using a perforated utensil, preserving approximately one tablespoon of rendered fat within the pan.
- Sauce Crafting: Introduce butter to the residual bacon drippings. Quickly sauté minced garlic until aromatic. Stream heavy cream and milk into the skillet, vigorously whisking in Parmesan cheese, seasonings, and red pepper flakes. Allow the mixture to gently simmer and thicken for 3-4 minutes, developing a luxurious consistency.
- Final Fusion: Gracefully fold cooked tortellini and crisp bacon fragments into the creamy sauce, ensuring every morsel becomes thoroughly coated with the rich, velvety mixture.
- Presentation: Artfully garnish with freshly chopped parsley and an additional sprinkle of Parmesan. Serve immediately while temperature and texture remain optimal.
Notes
- Cook bacon slowly over medium heat to ensure even, crispy texture without burning. Use a slotted spoon to remove perfectly crisp pieces.
- Whisk Parmesan cheese gradually to prevent clumping and create a smooth, creamy Alfredo sauce. Simmer gently to thicken without scorching.
- Reduce salt content by using low-sodium bacon and controlling added salt. Choose a lighter Parmesan cheese to manage overall sodium levels.
- Replace bacon with roasted mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes for a meat-free version. Use smoked paprika to maintain a rich, smoky flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg