Description
This Creamy Cheese Tortellini with Meat Sauce recipe combines tender cheese-filled tortellini with a rich, savory meat sauce made from ground beef or Italian sausage and a creamy tomato base. Enhanced with fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese, it’s a comforting and indulgent Italian-inspired dish perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat Sauce: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onions and garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent. Crumble in the ground beef or Italian sausage and cook thoroughly until browned. Drain any excess fat, then stir in crushed tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Let the sauce simmer gently to blend flavors and thicken slightly.
- Cook the Tortellini: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cheese tortellini and cook according to package instructions, usually 3 to 5 minutes for fresh or frozen tortellini. Once tender, drain the tortellini and reserve a bit of the pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
- Combine Sauce and Tortellini: Lower the heat to medium-low and slowly pour the 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, and if necessary, add reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce to your preferred consistency, ensuring the tortellini are well coated.
- Garnish and Serve: Turn off the heat and sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped basil or parsley over the dish. Serve immediately while warm, allowing the cheese to melt into the creamy sauce for a delicious finish.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with Italian sausage for a spicier flavor.
- To lighten the dish, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Reserve pasta water carefully as it helps to adjust the sauce consistency without thinning the flavor.
- Fresh basil adds a bright herbal note; parsley is a great alternative.
- For a vegetarian version, omit meat and use a hearty vegetable or mushroom sauce instead.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Creamy Tortellini, Cheese Tortellini, Meat Sauce, Italian Pasta Recipe, Comfort Food
