10+ Tortellini Recipes You’ll Love to Try Tonight

10+ Tortellini Recipes You’ll Love to Try Tonight

Tortellini is a small, ring-shaped pasta you can fill with cheese, meat, or veggies. It cooks quickly and works for all kinds of easy meals.

You can toss tortellini into soups, salads, baked dishes, or just swirl it in a creamy sauce. It’s one of those foods that always seems to fit your mood and schedule.

A steaming pot of tortellini in a rich tomato sauce, garnished with fresh basil and grated parmesan cheese, sitting on a rustic wooden table

Tortellini recipes are simple, tasty, and honestly, pretty forgiving for any skill level. Whether you want a comforting dinner or a quick lunch, tortellini is a versatile option.


Ingredients

  • Tortellini (cheese, meat, or spinach-filled)
  • Olive oil or butter
  • Garlic
  • Vegetables (like spinach or tomatoes)
  • Cheese (Parmesan or mozzarella)
  • Cream or tomato sauce (optional)
  • Herbs (basil, parsley, or oregano)
  • Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

  1. Boil salted water and cook tortellini (usually just 2-5 minutes).
  2. While it cooks, heat olive oil or butter in a pan over medium.
  3. Add garlic and cook about a minute.
  4. Toss in veggies or sauce and warm it through.
  5. Drain tortellini and add it to the pan.
  6. Stir in cheese and herbs.
  7. Season with salt and pepper.
  8. Serve warm.

1) Spinach Tortellini Skillet

A sizzling skillet filled with spinach tortellini, tomatoes, and garlic, steaming and ready to be served

You can whip up a spinach tortellini skillet in no time. Cook cheese tortellini, then toss it in a creamy tomato sauce.

Add fresh spinach at the end for color and crunch. It cooks fast and keeps its bright green.

This dish is great for when you want something comforting, but don’t feel like fussing. Need more ideas? Budget Bytes has a similar recipe with good tips.

Ingredients:

  • Cheese tortellini (about 9 ounces)
  • Fresh spinach (2 cups)
  • Tomato sauce (1 cup)
  • Heavy cream or half-and-half (½ cup)
  • Olive oil (1 tablespoon)
  • Garlic (2 cloves, minced)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Grated Parmesan (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

  1. Cook tortellini, drain, and set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute.
  3. Stir in tomato sauce and cream, heat until warm.
  4. Add spinach, cook just until wilted.
  5. Toss in tortellini, mix well.
  6. Season and top with Parmesan if you want. Serve warm.

2) Cheese Tortellini in Garlic Butter Sauce

A steaming plate of cheese tortellini in a rich garlic butter sauce, garnished with fresh herbs and grated Parmesan cheese

Cheese tortellini in garlic butter sauce is one of those meals that feels fancy but takes almost no effort. It’s great for a quick dinner or even a late-night snack.

Cook the tortellini first. While that’s going, melt butter in a pan and toss in minced garlic.

Let the garlic get fragrant, then add the cooked tortellini and stir it all together. Sprinkle in some fresh parsley or Parmesan if you’re feeling it.

You can serve this on its own or with a salad. It comes together fast and never disappoints.

Ingredients

  • 1 package cheese tortellini
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 3 tablespoons minced garlic
  • Fresh parsley (optional)
  • Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Cooking Instructions

  1. Cook tortellini as directed.
  2. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.
  3. Add garlic, cook 1-2 minutes.
  4. Drain tortellini, add to the pan.
  5. Toss to coat.
  6. Sprinkle with parsley and Parmesan, if you want. Serve warm.

More details? Check out this recipe.

3) One Pot Creamy Tomato Tortellini

A bubbling pot of creamy tomato tortellini with steam rising

This creamy tomato tortellini needs just one pot and a few ingredients. Cheese tortellini, canned tomatoes, and cream—pretty much all you need.

As the tortellini cooks, the sauce gets thick and rich. You can toss in fresh herbs or spinach if you want to brighten it up.

This meal takes about 15 minutes from start to finish. Not bad for a weeknight, right?

Ingredients

  • 1 package (about 9 ounces) cheese tortellini
  • 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup vegetable or chicken broth
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil or spinach (optional)

Cooking Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium.
  2. Add garlic, sauté for 1 minute.
  3. Pour in tomatoes, broth, and cream. Stir.
  4. Add tortellini, bring to a simmer.
  5. Cook 7-10 minutes until tortellini is tender and sauce is creamy.
  6. Season to taste. Stir in herbs or spinach if you want.
  7. Serve warm.

Want the full scoop? Try this one pot creamy tomato tortellini recipe.

4) Skillet Chicken Tortellini Alfredo

A sizzling skillet with creamy tortellini alfredo and succulent chicken

Skillet chicken tortellini Alfredo is a creamy, filling meal that comes together fast. You cook the chicken and tortellini in the same pan—less mess, more flavor.

The tortellini soaks up all that Alfredo sauce. Store-bought tortellini and jarred Alfredo sauce make this even easier.

Adding chicken makes it hearty enough for dinner. I mean, who doesn’t love a one-pan meal?

Ingredients

  • 1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 package (about 9 ounces) cheese tortellini, fresh or frozen
  • 2 cups Alfredo sauce
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: grated Parmesan and chopped parsley

Cooking Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium.
  2. Add chicken, season, and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Pour in broth, bring to a simmer.
  4. Add tortellini and Alfredo sauce, stir gently.
  5. Cover and cook 8-10 minutes until tortellini is tender and sauce thickens.
  6. Serve hot, topped with Parmesan and parsley.

Want more? Check this Skillet Chicken Tortellini Alfredo recipe.

5) One Pan Tortellini with Sausage

A steaming skillet holds tortellini, sausage, and colorful veggies. A sprinkle of herbs adds flavor to the dish

You can make one pan tortellini with sausage in about 25 minutes. It’s all cooked together, so cleanup is a breeze.

Brown the sausage first, then add cheese tortellini and a creamy sauce. The pasta cooks right in the sauce.

If you want, toss in veggies like spinach or bell peppers. It’s a warm, filling dinner that’s easy to customize.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Italian sausage
  • 1 package (about 19 oz) cheese tortellini (frozen)
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 cup heavy cream or milk
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

  1. Brown sausage in a large pan over medium.
  2. Add butter and garlic, cook until fragrant.
  3. Stir in tortellini and pour in cream.
  4. Simmer until pasta is tender, about 10-12 minutes.
  5. Season and serve warm.

Curious? Here’s the One Pan Tortellini with Sausage recipe.

6) Twenty Minute Easy Tortellini Bake

A bubbling pot of tortellini in a creamy tomato sauce, topped with melted cheese, surrounded by fresh herbs and spices

Tortellini bake is perfect when you want something cheesy and cozy, but don’t want to wait. You only need about 20 minutes.

Use frozen or refrigerated tortellini for speed. Mix it with spaghetti sauce and cheese, then bake until bubbly.

It’s a one-pan meal, so cleanup is easy. The whole family will probably ask for seconds.

Ingredients

  • 4 cups tortellini (frozen or refrigerated)
  • 1 1/2 cups spaghetti sauce
  • 1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella or cheese of choice

Cooking Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a baking dish, combine tortellini and sauce.
  3. Sprinkle cheese over the top.
  4. Bake 20 minutes until cheese is golden and tortellini is cooked.

Get the details at Twenty Minute Easy Tortellini Bake.

7) Spinach Tortellini Soup

A steaming pot of Spinach Tortellini Soup surrounded by fresh ingredients and a ladle

Spinach tortellini soup is simple and cozy. Start by sautéing garlic, then add chicken broth and tomatoes for a tasty base.

The cheese tortellini cooks right in the soup. Fresh spinach and basil add brightness.

You can tweak the seasonings to your taste—salt, pepper, maybe a pinch of dried basil. It’s quick to make and perfect for a weeknight.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 package (9 oz) cheese tortellini
  • 3 cups fresh spinach
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium.
  2. Sauté garlic for 1-2 minutes.
  3. Add broth and tomatoes, bring to a boil.
  4. Stir in tortellini, simmer 3-5 minutes.
  5. Add spinach and basil, cook until spinach wilts.
  6. Season and serve warm.

8) Slow Cooker Cheesy Italian Tortellini

A slow cooker filled with bubbling cheesy Italian tortellini, surrounded by fresh herbs and spices

You know those days when you just want dinner to make itself? This is one of those meals. Toss ground beef, Italian sausage, marinara sauce, and cheese in your slow cooker, and let it do the work.

The flavors mingle all day, and the tortellini comes out soft and cheesy—not mushy or stuck to the bottom. I love how you can just set it and move on with your day.

Pair it with a side salad or some garlic bread if you’re feeling extra. Dinner feels pretty effortless, honestly.

Let this cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for about 3 to 4 hours. Don’t forget to throw in the tortellini for the last 30 minutes so it doesn’t get overdone.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 lb lean ground beef
  • 1/2 lb Italian sausage
  • 1 container (15 oz) marinara sauce
  • 1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
  • 2 cups refrigerated cheese tortellini
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Cooking Instructions

  1. Brown the ground beef and sausage in a skillet. Drain off the fat.
  2. Put the cooked meat, marinara sauce, and mushrooms into the slow cooker.
  3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
  4. Stir in the tortellini and let it cook for another 30 minutes.
  5. Sprinkle mozzarella on top, cover, and give it 5 more minutes for the cheese to melt.

9) Marry Me Chicken Tortellini

A steaming skillet of creamy chicken tortellini simmering on a stovetop, surrounded by fresh herbs and ingredients

Marry Me Chicken Tortellini is one of those creamy, cozy dishes that somehow feels fancy but comes together in just one pan. You get juicy chicken, cheese-stuffed tortellini, and a sauce that’s honestly hard to resist.

Start by seasoning chicken cubes with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Sear them until they’re golden.

Add the tortellini and pour in a sauce made from heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan. Everything simmers together until the pasta is just right.

If you want a meal that tastes like you put in way more effort than you actually did, this is it. There’s a solid recipe for Marry Me Chicken Tortellini here.

Ingredients

  • 2 large chicken breasts, cut into cubes
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 package cheese tortellini
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Cooking Instructions

  1. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
  2. Toss the chicken pieces in flour so they’re lightly coated.
  3. Heat olive oil in a pan, then cook the chicken until it’s golden and cooked through.
  4. Take out the chicken, then add cream and sun-dried tomatoes to the pan.
  5. Stir in Parmesan until the sauce starts to thicken.
  6. Add the tortellini and cooked chicken back in.
  7. Let it simmer until the tortellini is soft and the sauce clings to everything.
  8. Serve while it’s warm and creamy.

10) Five-Ingredient Tortellini Dinner

A pot of boiling water with tortellini cooking, a jar of marinara sauce, a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, and a handful of fresh basil leaves

Here’s a five-ingredient tortellini dinner that’s almost too easy. Frozen tortellini makes it a total breeze—just boil, add sauce and cheese, and you’re basically done.

You can pick marinara or Alfredo sauce, whatever you’re craving. If you’re in the mood, toss in some Italian sausage or ground beef for extra flavor.

Just bake everything until it’s hot and the cheese bubbles. Not much prep, barely any stress, and you end up with a cheesy, filling meal.

Ingredients

  • 2 bags frozen tortellini
  • 1 jar marinara or Alfredo sauce
  • 1 lb Italian sausage or ground beef
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Optional: 1/2 cup pesto

Cooking Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

  2. Cook sausage or ground beef in a pan.
    Let it brown, then drain off the fat.

  3. In a baking dish, combine the cooked meat, tortellini, and sauce.

  4. Scatter mozzarella cheese over everything.

  5. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
    Pull it out when the cheese is melted and bubbly—looks pretty irresistible at that point.

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