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If you’re craving something creamy, cheesy, and incredibly easy to make, this Cheese Tortellini Alfredo is the perfect solution! With soft cheese-filled tortellini tossed in a rich, a velvety homemade alfredo sauce, this dish is a comforting classic that comes together in under 20 minutes.
Serve this Cheese Tortellini Alfredo on a cozy weeknight when you need a comforting meal that the whole family will love. It’s perfect for entertaining guests with minimal effort since it’s easy to prepare, looks impressive, and is rich and satisfying. It also makes a great dish to serve at a home date night, since it’s simple and elegant.
Table of Contents
- Reasonons To Love This Recipe
- Cheese Tortelini Alfredo Ingredients
- Ingredient Substitution and Variations
- How To Make Cheese Tortellini Alfredo
- Tips To Perfect This Recipe
- Alternative Cooking Variations
- What to Serve with Cheese Tortellini Pasta
- Storing and Reheating
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Filled Pasta Recipes
- Cheese Tortellini Alfredo Recipe
Reasonons To Love This Recipe
- Quick and Simple: Using store-bought cheese tortellini cuts down on prep time, while the homemade Alfredo sauce comes together in minutes.
- Creamy and Comforting: The classic Alfredo sauce made with butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan pairs perfectly with cheese-filled pasta, making it a deliciously comforting meal.
- Customizable: You can easily adapt the recipe by adding proteins like chicken or shrimp, or vegetables like spinach or broccoli.
- One-Pot Meal: Minimal dishes are required, making this recipe easy to cook and clean up afte
Cheese Tortelini Alfredo Ingredients
- Cheese Tortellini: You can use frozen or fresh, cooked according to the package. Sub in a spinach tortellini for a twist!
- Mushrooms: Sliced crimini mushrooms give this dish a great depth of flavor and texture variation. Can’t find crimini mushrooms? White mushrooms or shiitake can be a good substitute.
- Cooking fats: Olive oil and unsalted butter are used to cook the mushrooms and start the sauce, respectively. Substitute your favorite light, neutral flavored oil.
- Flour: A little all-purpose flour gets mixed with the melted butter to create a roux, thickening the sauce.
- Wet ingredients: Low-sodium chicken broth and whole milk become the base of the sauce. You can use homemade broth or mix bouillon with hot water. Using 2% or skim milk would decrease the richness of the dish.
- Seasonings: Dried thyme, dried basil, salt, and black pepper get added to the sauce for another layer of flavor.
- Cheeses: Used to thicken and flavor the alfredo sauce.
- Garnish: Before serving, top the pasta with fresh parsley for some color and freshness. If you want a little heat, add a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes.
Ingredient Substitution and Variations
- Tortellini: You can use any stuffed pasta like spinach or mushroom tortellini. Ravioli also works well.
- Heavy Cream: For a lighter version, swap heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk.
- Spicy Alfredo: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little heat.
- Pesto Tortellini Alfredo: Stir in a tablespoon of pesto sauce for an herbaceous twist.
- Sun-Dried Tomato Alfredo: Toss in chopped sun-dried tomatoes for a sweet and tangy addition.
How To Make Cheese Tortellini Alfredo
Step 2: Cook the mushrooms. Cook the mushrooms in the olive oil over medium heat for 4-7 minutes, then set aside.
Tips To Perfect This Recipe
- Don’t Overcook the Tortellini: Fresh tortellini only needs a few minutes to cook, so keep an eye on it to prevent it from becoming mushy.
- Use High-Quality Parmesan: For the best flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Pre-shredded cheese won’t melt as smoothly.
- Control the Sauce Consistency: If the sauce is too thick, you can thin it out with a splash of pasta water or milk. If it’s too thin, simmer it a bit longer to thicken.
- Season to Taste: Alfredo sauce can be rich, so make sure to adjust the salt and pepper to balance the flavors.
Alternative Cooking Variations
- Baked Tortellini Alfredo: Transfer the tortellini to a baking dish, top with mozzarella cheese, and bake at 375°F for 10-15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Chicken Alfredo Tortellini: Add grilled or pan-seared chicken breast for a protein boost.
- Shrimp Alfredo Tortellini: Sauté shrimp with garlic in butter and serve with the tortellini.
- Vegetable Alfredo: Add sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or steamed broccoli for extra nutrients.
What to Serve with Cheese Tortellini Pasta
Here are some delicious recipes you can serve alongside your Cheese Tortellini Alfredo:
- Cheesy Garlic Bread – A perfect side to soak up the creamy Alfredo sauce, adding a savory, garlicky bite that complements the rich tortellini.
- Parmesan Roasted Carrots – Roasting carrots with parmesan adds a sweet and salty contrast to the cheesy Alfredo, bringing a balance of textures and flavors.
- Air Fryer Asparagus – A crispy and nutritious addition, air-fried asparagus adds a light and refreshing element to balance the richness of the pasta.
- Creamy Pesto Chicken – Adding protein with this flavorful chicken dish will make your meal more filling while enhancing the creamy texture of the Alfredo with the herby pesto.
Storing and Reheating
Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat: Add a splash of milk, broth or water before reheating. Reheat over medium heat in a skillet for 3-4 minutes or for 1-2 minutes in the microwave.
Freezing: I do not recomment freezing any recipe with creamy sauce as the texture will change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Canned mushrooms won’t be as flavorful and tent to have a chewy texture. I do not recommend using it.
Substitute gluten free tortellini and a gluten-free 1-to-1 flour blend to make the sauce.
You can add vegetables like spinach, peas, or bell peppers to this dish. Add them when you add the cooked tortellini to the sauce, or sauté them separately and mix them in at the end.
If the sauce is too thin, let the sauce simmer a bit longer to reduce and thicken.
More Filled Pasta Recipes
- Creamy Tortellini Pasta
- Asiago Tortellini Alfredo with Grilled Chicken
- Creamy Chicken Tortellini Pasta
- Four Cheese Ravioli Pasta
- Creamy Cheese and Spinach Ravioli
This Cheese Tortellini Alfredo is the ultimate comfort food, combining soft cheese-filled pasta with a rich, creamy Alfredo sauce. With just a few ingredients and quick cooking time, you’ll have a restaurant-quality meal in no time. Try it and don’t forget to customize it with your favorite add-ins and sides!
If you try this recipe or any of my other recipes, please leave a star rating in the comment section below because I love hearing from my readers. Also follow me at Cookin’ With Mima on FACEBOOK |INSTAGRAM |PINTEREST for all of my latest social posts and recipes.
Cheese Tortellini Alfredo
Ingredients
- 20 oz cheese tortellini, frozen or fresh
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 12 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 ½ cup whole milk
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- ½ cup Asiago cheese, grated
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
- Fresh parsley, to garnish
Instructions
- Cook the tortellini according to the package instructions and set it aside.
- Meanwhile, prepare the sauce by heating a large skillet over medium heat. Add oil followed by sliced mushrooms. Cook the mushrooms for 4-7 minutes, then remove them to a plate and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the butter and garlic, and sauté for a minute. Sprinkle the flour and cook until the flour is lightly browned.
- Stir in the chicken broth and let it boil for 2-3 minutes. Pour in the milk, and once it starts to boil, add the basil leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
- Add the Asiago cheese and parmesan cheese. The sauce will start to thicken. Add the cooked tortellini and toss it in the sauce. If the pasta looks a little dry, add about ½ cup of the cooked pasta water and toss again.
- Once done, sprinkle the crushed red pepper flakes, garnish with parsley, and serve.
Notes
- Don’t Overcook the Tortellini: Fresh tortellini only needs a few minutes to cook, so keep an eye on it to prevent it from becoming mushy.
- Use High-Quality Parmesan: For the best flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Pre-shredded cheese won’t melt as smoothly.
- Control the Sauce Consistency: If the sauce is too thick, you can thin it out with a splash of pasta water or milk. If it’s too thin, simmer it a bit longer to thicken.
- Season to Taste: Alfredo sauce can be rich, so make sure to adjust the salt and pepper to balance the flavors.
