10+ Cheese Tortellini Recipes to Delight Your Dinner Table
Cheese tortellini is a cheesy, pillowy pasta that works in all sorts of recipes. You can toss it with a quick sauce or mix it into heartier meals with veggies, meat, or creamy dressings.
Whether you’re cooking a quick dinner or planning something special, tortellini is a reliable option. It doesn’t take a ton of ingredients or time to make something that tastes great and feels comforting.
1) Cheese Tortellini in Garlic Butter Sauce
Cheese tortellini in garlic butter sauce is about as easy as it gets. Just melt butter, cook some fresh garlic until your kitchen smells amazing, and toss in the cooked tortellini.
Add a handful of chopped basil for a fresh kick. If you want to impress, sprinkle a little Parmesan on top.
This one’s great for parties—keep it warm in a crockpot and let people help themselves.
Ingredients
- 1 package cheese tortellini
- 1/4 cup butter
- 3 tablespoons minced garlic
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Parmesan cheese
Cooking Instructions
- Cook tortellini according to the package, then drain.
- Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.
- Add garlic and cook 1-2 minutes.
- Toss tortellini in the garlic butter.
- Season with salt, pepper, and basil.
- Plate and top with Parmesan if you’re into that.
2) Cheese Tortellini with Tomato Cream Sauce
This tomato cream sauce is a nice twist—tangy tomatoes meet smooth cream. A little Parmesan makes it even richer.
Toss in some fresh spinach for color and a little green flavor. It cooks up fast, and you’ll only need one pan.
Ingredients
- 1 package cheese tortellini
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium.
- Add tomato sauce and cream; stir.
- Cook tortellini in the sauce, following package directions.
- Add spinach; cook until wilted.
- Stir in Parmesan and season.
- Serve it up warm.
3) EASY Baked Tortellini with Ground Beef and Mozzarella
This baked tortellini is pure comfort food. Mix cheese tortellini with browned ground beef and marinara, then top with mozzarella and bake.
It’s perfect for crazy weeknights. One pan, minimal cleanup, lots of flavor.
Just cook the beef, mix everything, and bake until the cheese bubbles.
Ingredients
- 1 (20 oz) container cheese tortellini (refrigerated or frozen)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara or pasta sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Brown beef in a skillet; drain fat.
- Mix beef, tortellini, and marinara in a baking dish.
- Cover with mozzarella.
- Bake 20-25 minutes, until cheese is golden.
- Let it sit 5 minutes before you dig in.
4) Cheese Tortellini and Italian Sausage Skillet
This skillet meal is big on flavor and easy on effort. Brown some Italian sausage, then add cheese tortellini and a tomato or creamy sauce.
Let everything cook together in one pan. Herbs like basil or oregano make it even better.
You’ll have dinner on the table in about half an hour.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 package (about 19 oz) cheese tortellini, fresh or frozen
- 1 cup tomato sauce or heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Italian herbs like basil or oregano
Cooking Instructions
- Brown sausage in a large skillet over medium.
- Add butter or oil and garlic; cook 1 minute.
- Stir in sauce or cream; bring to a simmer.
- Add tortellini; cook until tender, 5-7 minutes.
- Season and serve.
Grab more ideas from Budget Bytes or Salt & Lavender.
5) Easy Cheese Tortellini Pasta with Mushrooms and Wine Sauce
This one’s a little fancy but still super doable. Cook the tortellini, then sauté mushrooms in butter until soft.
Add white wine and let it simmer to make a creamy, flavorful sauce. Toss the tortellini in and you’re done.
If you want, add a little grated cheese or some fresh herbs. It feels special but doesn’t require much work.
Ingredients
- 12 oz cheese tortellini
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup white wine
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: grated cheese, fresh herbs
Cooking Instructions
- Cook tortellini as directed; drain.
- Melt butter in a pan over medium.
- Add mushrooms; cook about 5 minutes.
- Pour in wine; simmer 3-4 minutes.
- Add tortellini; toss to coat.
- Season and serve.
6) Creamy Cheese Tortellini Alfredo
Making a creamy cheese tortellini Alfredo is easier than you might think. The sauce is just butter, cream, Parmesan, and a pinch of nutmeg.
It’s ready in under 30 minutes. If you want, toss in some cooked chicken or broccoli for extra protein or color.
The sauce hugs the tortellini and makes a rich, comforting meal.
Ingredients
- 1 package frozen cheese tortellini
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Cook tortellini; drain and set aside.
- Melt butter in a pan over medium.
- Add cream; heat until it simmers.
- Stir in Parmesan and nutmeg until smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Add tortellini; stir gently.
- Cook 2 more minutes, then serve.
7) Cheese Tortellini with Garlic White Wine Sauce
This one’s quick and packed with flavor. Toss tortellini in a sauce made from garlic, butter, and white wine.
Sauté garlic in butter, add wine, and simmer. Toss in the tortellini and some parsley.
You’ll have dinner in about 20 minutes. Not bad for something that tastes this good.
Ingredients
- 1 package cheese tortellini
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1/3 cup dry white wine
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Cooking Instructions
- Cook tortellini; drain.
- Melt butter in a large pan over medium.
- Add garlic; cook 1-2 minutes.
- Pour in wine; simmer 3-4 minutes.
- Add tortellini; toss to coat.
- Sprinkle with parsley and serve.
8) Classic Cheese Tortellini Bake with Marinara and Mozzarella
This baked tortellini is a classic for a reason. Use cheese tortellini, marinara, and lots of mozzarella.
Mix in some parmesan for more flavor. It’s easy to make and feeds a crowd.
You can use store-bought or homemade marinara. Add ground meat or veggies if you want to switch things up.
Ingredients
- 1 package cheese tortellini (about 9–12 ounces)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook tortellini and drain.
- Mix tortellini with marinara in a baking dish.
- Top with mozzarella and parmesan.
- Bake 20–25 minutes, until bubbly.
- Let it cool a bit before serving.
You can check out a version of this recipe at twenty-minute easy tortellini bake.
9) Chicken Tortellini Soup
Chicken tortellini soup is warm and filling. It brings together tender shredded chicken and cheese tortellini in a flavorful broth.
You can toss in veggies like carrots, celery, and onions for a bit more taste. Honestly, it’s an easy soup to whip up after a long day.
The broth can be clear or creamy—just go with what you’re in the mood for. It cooks pretty fast, usually around 30 minutes.
Grab fresh or frozen tortellini, whatever’s handy. If you want more color or nutrition, throw in spinach or tomatoes.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 package cheese tortellini (about 9 ounces)
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup spinach (optional)
- 1 cup diced tomatoes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Heat a large pot and sauté carrots, celery, and onion until they soften.
- Pour in chicken broth and let it come to a boil.
- Add shredded chicken and tortellini next.
- Cook for 5–7 minutes, just until the tortellini gets tender.
- Toss in spinach and tomatoes if you want, then cook for 2 more minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot and enjoy.
10) Tortellini Primavera with Fresh Vegetables
Tortellini Primavera is a fun way to eat cheese tortellini with a bunch of fresh, colorful veggies. Go with asparagus, tomatoes, peas—or just clean out your fridge.
This dish feels light and fresh, especially in spring or summer. You cook everything in one pot, so it’s not a hassle to clean up later.
The sauce is simple, usually just a bit of cream or olive oil. It mixes right in with the cheese tortellini for a meal that’s honestly hard to mess up.
If you don’t have fresh vegetables, frozen ones work fine too. The whole thing comes together in about 20 minutes, which is a lifesaver on busy nights.
Ingredients
- 1 package cheese tortellini
- 1 cup asparagus, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup peas
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or 1/4 cup cream
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
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Cook the tortellini following the package directions. Drain it and set aside.
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Pour some olive oil into a big pan and heat it over medium. Toss in the garlic and let it cook until you can really smell it.
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Throw in the asparagus and peas. Let them cook for about 3 or 4 minutes.
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Add the tomatoes next and keep cooking for another couple of minutes.
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Put the tortellini back into the pan and give everything a good mix.
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Pour in the cream or sprinkle on the Parmesan cheese. Stir it all so everything gets coated nicely.
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Season with some salt and pepper. Serve it up while it’s warm.