Creamy Cheese Tortellini with Meat Sauce Recipe

Introduction

Creamy Cheese Tortellini with Meat Sauce is a comforting and satisfying dish perfect for any night of the week. Tender cheese-filled tortellini are coated in a rich, savory meat sauce enriched with a touch of cream. It’s an easy recipe that delivers restaurant-quality flavor right at home.

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh or frozen cheese tortellini
• 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
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, to taste
• Chopped fresh basil or parsley, for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent.
2. Step 2: Add ground beef or Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook thoroughly until browned, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
3. Step 3: Stir in crushed tomatoes and Italian seasoning (or fresh basil). Let the sauce simmer gently for several minutes to thicken and develop flavor.
4. Step 4: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the tortellini and cook according to the package instructions (usually 3 to 5 minutes). Drain the tortellini, reserving a little pasta water.
5. Step 5: Reduce heat to medium-low and slowly pour the heavy cream or half-and-half into the meat sauce, stirring continuously until creamy and smooth.
6. Step 6: Gently fold the cooked tortellini into the sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach the desired consistency.
7. Step 7: Turn off the heat. Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil or parsley over the dish. Serve immediately while warm.

Tips & Variations

• Use Italian sausage for a spicier and more flavorful sauce, or ground beef for a milder taste.
• Swap out heavy cream for half-and-half to reduce richness but keep creaminess.
• For added depth, sauté some chopped mushrooms with the onions and garlic.
• If fresh basil is unavailable, dried basil or Italian seasoning will work well.
• Reserve some pasta water to loosen the sauce if it thickens too much as it cools.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of cream or water to restore creaminess if needed. Avoid overheating to prevent the sauce from separating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen tortellini for this recipe?

Yes, frozen tortellini work perfectly. Just follow package cooking instructions and add a minute or two if needed.

What can I substitute for heavy cream?

You can use half-and-half or whole milk mixed with a small amount of butter as a lighter alternative, though the sauce will be less rich and creamy.

Creamy Cheese Tortellini with Meat Sauce Recipe

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4.7 from 69 reviews

This Creamy Cheese Tortellini with Meat Sauce is a comforting Italian-inspired pasta dish featuring tender cheese tortellini enveloped in a rich, savory meat sauce blended with creamy heavy cream and fresh herbs. Perfect for a hearty weeknight meal, the recipe combines sautéed ground beef and aromatic garlic with crushed tomatoes, finished off with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil for a luscious, satisfying dinner.

• Author: Lara
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta

• 1 pound fresh or frozen cheese tortellini

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

Cream Sauce

• 1/2 to 3/4 cup heavy cream or half-and-half

Garnish

• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (to taste)
• Chopped fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)

Instructions

1. 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. Crumble in the ground beef or Italian 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.
2. Cook the Tortellini: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cheese tortellini and cook according to package instructions, typically 3 to 5 minutes for fresh or frozen. Once tender, drain and reserve a small amount of pasta water to adjust the sauce if needed.
3. Combine Sauce and Tortellini: Lower the skillet heat to medium-low and slowly pour the heavy cream or half-and-half into the meat sauce, stirring continuously. Allow the sauce to become creamy and luscious, then gently fold in the cooked tortellini. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce for better coating of the pasta.
4. Garnish and Serve: Turn off the heat and sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil or parsley over the dish. Serve immediately while warm, letting the cheese melt into the sauce for a creamy, delicious finish.

Notes

• You can substitute ground beef with Italian sausage for a spicier flavor.
• For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
• Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce thickness perfectly.
• Fresh tortellini cooks faster than frozen, so watch carefully.
• Garnish with fresh herbs to enhance aroma and presentation.

Keywords: Creamy Cheese Tortellini, Meat Sauce, Italian Pasta Recipe, Easy Dinner, Comfort Food