Cheese Tortellini in Garlic Butter Sauce Recipe
Here’s an easy and delicious recipe for Cheese Tortellini in garlic butter sauce that’s ready in 15 minutes or less, perfect as a hot appetizer for a party or a comforting weeknight meal—just double the batch because everyone will love it, whether you use refrigerated or frozen tortellini!
How do you cook cheese tortellini?
- Bring 4 quarts of water or broth to a boil for each pound of tortellini, adding 1 tablespoon of salt if using water, but skipping the salt when using broth.
- Add the tortellini and cook until it floats to the top of the water and reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees.
- Cook the tortellini for 2 to 3 minutes if refrigerated, 3 to 5 minutes if frozen, or 10 to 11 minutes if dried.
- Gently drain the tortellini and either follow the remaining recipe instructions or serve immediately.
Although I usually use low-sodium chicken broth and unsalted butter, this recipe tasted a little off when I tested it with those ingredients.
In this instance, I don’t recommend low-sodium options, but if that’s what you have, simply add a little salt to the finished dish until it tastes perfect.
What is the difference between a tortellini and a tortelloni?
- Tortellini and tortelloni share the same basic shape, but tortellini are smaller, typically weighting around 2 grams each, while tortelloni are larger, usually about 5 grams each.
- Both tortellini and tortelloni are commonly filled with cheese or vegetables, but while tortellini can also be filled with a meat mixture, tortelloni are less likely to have meat fillings.
- Due to their small size, tortellini are often served in soups or broth-based dishes, while tortelloni are typically served with a sauce.
Can you cook tortellini from frozen?
Sure! Here’s a natural combination of the sentences:
- Absolutely Just bring 4 quarts of water and 1 tablespoon of salt to a boil for every pound of tortellini.
- Add the unthawed tortellini and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until they float to the top.
- The internal temperature of the coldest spot in a tortellini should reach 165 degrees.
What is the main difference between ravioli and tortellini?
Ravioli, whether square or circular, are made by pressing two pieces of dough together around a filling.
Tortellini are a type of dumpling shaped into a hat-like form.
How long can you keep cooked cheese tortellini?
Cooked pasta generally keeps for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, and this recipe should be consumed within that timeframe as well—leftovers are excellent!
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Here’s an easy and delicious recipe for Cheese Tortellini in garlic butter sauce that’s ready in 15 minutes or less, perfect as a hot appetizer for a party or a comforting weeknight meal—just double the batch because everyone will love it, whether you use refrigerated or frozen tortellini!
Ingredients
- 32 ounces chicken broth or vegetable broth, divided
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 (16 ounce) package frozen cheese tortellini (see notes)
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese for garnish
- Fresh basil for garnish, optional
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring 2 1/2 cups of broth to a boil, add the cheese tortellini, and cook until they float to the surface—about 3 minutes or until their internal temperature reaches 165ºF—then drain completely.
- Meanwhile, whisk the remaining 1 1/2 cups of broth with cornstarch, then melt butter in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until foaming, and stir in the garlic and basil, cooking for 2 minutes.
- Add the broth-cornstarch mixture to the skillet and bring it to a boil, simmering until it thickens, about 2 minutes, then toss in the cooked tortellini to coat.
- After this, Pour into a serving dish and garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.
Notes
- To make this dish vegetarian, simply substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth.
- Refrigerated tortellini can be substituted and will float in 2 to 3 minutes, while dried tortellini should be cooked according to the package instructions, typically about 10 to 11 minutes.
- This dish serves 8 as an appetizer or first course, with 2 ounces per person and 275 calories per serving, and can be kept warm in a slow cooker for buffet-style serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Cuisine: American