Description
Savory cheese tortellini delivers a comforting Italian-inspired pasta dish perfect for weeknight dinners. Quick preparation and rich flavors make this simple recipe a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) cheese tortellini
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- ½ cup (50 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
- ¼ cup (25 g) Romano cheese, grated
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps (30 g) unsalted butter
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp (3 g) fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Immerse tortellini in vigorously boiling salted water, allowing free movement. Cook until achieving al dente texture, approximately 3-4 minutes. Drain carefully, preserving a small quantity of cooking liquid.
- Sauce Foundation: Melt butter in a generously sized skillet over medium heat. Introduce minced garlic, stirring until translucent and fragrant, releasing its aromatic profile.
- Cream and Cheese Integration: Pour heavy cream into the skillet, warming gradually. Whisk Parmesan and Romano cheeses until blending into a smooth, luxurious sauce. Incorporate ground nutmeg, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting seasoning to personal taste.
- Final Composition: Fold cooked tortellini into the velvety sauce, ensuring comprehensive coating. Adjust sauce consistency by adding reserved pasta water if needed. Allow brief simmering to marry flavors and enhance pasta’s absorption of the rich, creamy essence. Serve promptly while maintaining optimal temperature and texture.
Notes
- Pasta Water Magic: Reserve a small amount of starchy cooking liquid to adjust sauce consistency and help ingredients blend seamlessly.
- Garlic Technique: Stir constantly and cook until garlic turns translucent to prevent burning and release maximum flavor without bitterness.
- Cheese Whisking Tip: Incorporate Parmesan and Romano gradually while whisking continuously to create a smooth, lump-free sauce.
- Temperature Control: Warm cream gently without aggressive boiling to maintain sauce’s delicate texture and prevent separation.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg