Creamy Cheese Tortellini with Meat Sauce Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
