Description

This creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini recipe features fresh tortellini tossed in a rich and flavorful garlic-parmesan sauce made with butter, cream, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s an easy and comforting Italian-inspired meal perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Tortellini

1 – 20 oz package Fresh Tortellini (or 2 – 9 oz packages)

For the Garlic Parmesan Sauce

2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup nonfat milk
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan Cheese

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Instructions

Cook Tortellini: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fresh tortellini and cook according to package directions until tender, usually around 3-5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Prepare Garlic Roux: In a sauté pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Stir in the all-purpose flour and cook for about 2 minutes until it begins to turn a golden color, creating a roux.
Add Dairy: Gradually whisk in the nonfat milk followed by the heavy cream, continuing to stir constantly. Cook the mixture for 3-4 minutes until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
Incorporate Parmesan: Remove the pan from heat and slowly stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until fully melted and smooth. Adjust the sauce consistency by adding more milk or cheese as needed to reach your desired thickness.
Season: Taste the sauce and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your liking.
Toss Tortellini in Sauce: Add the cooked tortellini directly into the sauce and gently toss until the pasta is fully coated and heated through.
Serve: Divide the creamy garlic Parmesan tortellini into bowls, garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

If the sauce isn’t thick enough, add a couple ounces of cream cheese and stir until melted.
Use some reserved pasta cooking water to adjust the sauce consistency and help it thicken naturally due to the starch.
For a thicker sauce, whisk together 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 2 teaspoons of water, then slowly add to the sauce and simmer until it thickens.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 cup)
Calories: 410 kcal
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 450 mg
Fat: 22 g
Saturated Fat: 13 g
Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
Trans Fat: 0.5 g
Carbohydrates: 35 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 16 g
Cholesterol: 75 mg