Description

Creamy, garlicky, and packed with tender spinach, this Garlic & Spinach Tortellini is the epitome of comfort food. It’s fast, flavorful, and surprisingly flexible. The dish comes together in a single pan, with rich garlic butter, wilted spinach, and cheese-stuffed tortellini cooked to perfection. It’s as cozy as it is crave-worthy—perfect for when you want something that tastes like a hug in a bowl.

Ingredients

Scale

20 oz (about 2 packages) cheese tortellini (fresh or refrigerated)
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
5 cups fresh spinach (about 5 oz), roughly chopped
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
¼ cup reserved pasta water (if needed)
Fresh basil or extra Parmesan for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Cook the tortellini: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the tortellini according to package directions until just al dente. Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.

Sauté the garlic: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.

Wilt the spinach: Add the chopped spinach to the skillet and sauté for 2–3 minutes until just wilted.

Make the sauce: Lower the heat slightly and pour in the heavy cream. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes (if using). Simmer gently until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3–4 minutes.

Combine everything: Add the cooked tortellini into the skillet and toss gently to coat. If the sauce is too thick, stir in a splash of reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.

Season and serve: Taste and season with salt and pepper. Garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh basil if you like, and serve immediately!

Notes

If using frozen tortellini, cook directly from frozen and add an extra minute or two to boiling time.

You can substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream for a lighter version, though the sauce won’t be quite as rich.

Don’t skip reserving some pasta water! It’s a simple trick to loosen up the sauce without diluting flavor.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 generous bowl
Calories: 520
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 560mg
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 14g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 49g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 17g
Cholesterol: 85mg