Creamy Cheese Tortellini - The Recipe Rebel (2024)

This Creamy Cheese Tortellini is a dream come true! Cheese tortellini pasta is cooked to perfection, then tossed in a decadent, cheesy cream sauce. This 8-ingredient recipe is ready in just 15 minutes!

Does anyone else dream up all of the ways you can take something that’s already cheesy and make it…even cheesier?!

Well, get ready for your dreams to come true. This Creamy Cheese Tortellini is made with cheese tortellini that’s tossed in a rich, decadent sauce made up of heavy cream, melted parmesan, pasta water, and seasonings!

It’s the an easy dinner recipe that’s ready in 15 minutes! Serve this pasta dish as a delicious vegetarian entree or as a side with this Baked Chicken Breast or Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin.

If you love tortellini, check out my Chicken Tortellini Soup, Baked Tortellini with Turkey and Vegetables, or Italian Chicken Tortellini Skillet!

Ingredients needed for Creamy Cheese Tortellini:

• Cheese Tortellini: you can use fresh or frozen in this recipe, since you will just cook according to package directions.
• Butter: I use salted butter. If you use unsalted just taste and add a little more salt with the other seasonings if necessary.
• Garlic: freshly minced garlic is always the way to go! Jarred garlic or garlic powder can be used in a pinch.
• Seasonings: we’re using a simple yet flavorful blend of Italian seasoning, salt, and cracked pepper.
• Heavy Cream: half-and-half will work as well, the sauce just won’t be quite as rich.
• Parmesan Cheese: I highly recommend using freshly grated parmesan cheese for the best texture. Pre-grated cheese can become gritty when melted.
• Fresh Parsley: for garnish!

How to make Creamy Cheese Tortellini

This cheese tortellini recipe is ready in a total of 15 minutes!

1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pan of salted water to a boil, add the tortellini, and cook until al dente. Drain, but reserve 1 cup of the pasta water.
2. Make the sauce: To the same pan, add in the butter followed by the garlic and seasonings. Cook for 1 minute, then mix in heavy cream and parmesan cheese. Bring to a simmer and cook to thicken slightly.
3. Combine and serve: Add the cooked tortellini to the sauce and add just enough of the reserved pasta water so that the sauce comes together. Sprinkle with parmesan and fresh parsley and serve.

Creamy Cheese Tortellini FAQs

Variations

• Add veggies. If you want to add some color, you can cook a couple of veggies with the butter and spices. Try spinach, tomato, broccoli, mushrooms, kale, you name it.
• Add meat. Want to make this into a more complete meal? Try adding in cooked Italian sausage, shrimp, Shredded Chicken, chopped Air Fryer Bacon, or meatballs.
• Spice it up. The cracked pepper gives the pasta a bit of heat, but you can crank it up even more with some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.

Serving suggestions

This Creamy Cheese Tortellini works great as a vegetarian entree next to steamed broccoli, roasted veggies, Honey Glazed Carrots and breadsticks or garlic bread.

It also makes the perfect side dish next to your favorite protein! Try Air Fryer Chicken Breast, Air Fryer Salmon, or Air Fryer Pork Chops.

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