Description
Indulgent tortellini with spinach creates a comforting Italian-inspired dish that whisks home cooks through delightful flavor landscapes. Cheese-laden pasta and tender greens combine in a creamy sauce that welcomes you to savor each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 (9-12 ounces / 255-340 grams) package cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
Cheese and Seasoning Ingredients:
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for spice)
Complementary Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- Extra Parmesan for topping
Instructions
- Prepare a generously sized pot of water, seasoning it with a pinch of salt, and bring to a rolling boil for the tortellini.
- Carefully drop the tortellini into the bubbling water, allowing them to cook until they float and become tender – approximately 3-5 minutes for fresh pasta or 8 minutes for frozen varieties.
- Drain the pasta thoroughly in a colander, reserving the plump tortellini for the upcoming sauce.
- Warm a spacious skillet over medium heat, introducing butter to create a rich foundation for the sauce.
- Mince fresh garlic and sauté it briefly, releasing its aromatic essence without allowing it to brown.
- Slowly cascade heavy cream into the skillet, creating a velvety base for the sauce.
- Incorporate Parmesan cheese, whisking smoothly to prevent any lumpy textures.
- Season the developing sauce with Italian seasoning, salt, cracked black pepper, and a whisper of red pepper flakes for subtle heat.
- Allow the sauce to gently simmer, stirring periodically until it thickens and develops a luxurious consistency.
- Introduce fresh spinach leaves, stirring until they gracefully wilt and integrate into the creamy mixture.
- Fold the perfectly cooked tortellini into the sauce, ensuring each pasta pillow is lavishly coated.
- Transfer to serving plates, garnishing with additional Parmesan, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, or delicate fresh basil leaves for an elegant finish.
Notes
- Maximize flavor by using fresh tortellini from the refrigerated section, which cooks faster and tastes more delicate than dried varieties.
- Prevent sauce separation by slowly incorporating Parmesan cheese and maintaining medium-low heat during simmering.
- Customize the dish for dietary needs by substituting heavy cream with coconut milk or half-and-half for lighter versions, and use gluten-free tortellini for celiac-friendly options.
- Boost nutrition by adding protein like grilled chicken, crispy pancetta, or white beans to transform this side dish into a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg