Creamy Cheese Tortellini with Meat Sauce Recipe

Introduction

Creamy Cheese Tortellini with Meat Sauce is a comforting and satisfying dish perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions. Featuring tender cheese-filled tortellini smothered in a rich, savory meat sauce with a touch of creaminess, this recipe is sure to please the whole family.

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 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 the ground beef or Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Continue until browned and cooked through, then drain any excess fat.
3. Step 3: Stir in the crushed tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Let the sauce simmer gently to blend the flavors and thicken slightly.
4. Step 4: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the cheese tortellini according to package instructions, usually 3 to 5 minutes for fresh or frozen tortellini. Drain and reserve a little pasta water.
5. Step 5: Lower the heat to medium-low and slowly stir the heavy cream or half-and-half into the meat sauce, allowing it to become creamy and smooth.
6. Step 6: Fold the cooked tortellini gently into the creamy meat sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
7. Step 7: Turn off the heat and sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped basil or parsley over the dish. Serve immediately while warm.

Tips & Variations

• For a vegetarian version, substitute the meat with sautéed mushrooms or a plant-based crumbles alternative.
• Use fresh herbs like basil or oregano instead of dried Italian seasoning for a brighter flavor.
• If you prefer a lighter sauce, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a subtle spicy kick.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or water to loosen the sauce if it thickens. Avoid microwaving for best texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen tortellini for this recipe?

Yes, frozen tortellini works perfectly. Just be sure to cook it according to the package instructions until tender before adding it to the sauce.

How can I make the sauce thicker or thinner?

To thicken the sauce, let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes. To thin it out, add reserved pasta water or a little extra cream until you reach your preferred consistency.

Creamy Cheese Tortellini with Meat Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 140 reviews

• Author: Andria
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

Creamy Cheese Tortellini with Meat Sauce is a comforting Italian-inspired dish featuring tender cheese-filled tortellini enveloped in a rich, flavorful meat sauce made with ground beef or Italian sausage, aromatic onions, garlic, crushed tomatoes, and a splash of heavy cream. Garnished with Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs, this hearty meal is perfect for an easy yet satisfying weeknight dinner.

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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)

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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 ground beef or Italian sausage and cook 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 cheese tortellini and cook according to package instructions, typically 3 to 5 minutes for fresh or frozen tortellini. Once tender, drain the tortellini and reserve a bit of pasta water to adjust sauce consistency later if needed.
3. Combine Sauce and Tortellini: Reduce heat to medium-low and gradually stir in heavy cream or half-and-half into the meat sauce, stirring continuously. Allow the sauce to become creamy and luscious. Gently fold in the cooked tortellini. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen to your preferred consistency.
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, allowing the cheese to melt into the creamy sauce for every bite to be flavorful and satisfying.

Notes

• You can substitute ground beef with Italian sausage for a spicier flavor.
• Use fresh basil or dry Italian seasoning according to what you have available.
• Reserve pasta water to help at loosening the sauce without diluting flavor.
• Adjust the heaviness of the cream sauce by using half-and-half for a lighter option.
• Serve with a side of garlic bread or a fresh green salad to complete the meal.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: cheese tortellini recipe, meat sauce pasta, creamy pasta dishes, easy Italian dinner, ground beef pasta sauce