Description
This Crab Tortellini proves that you do not need a lot of time or fancy skills to make something truly delicious. It balances rich, indulgent flavors with extreme simplicity, combining soft, cheese-filled pasta with sweet crab meat and a silky cream sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 18–20 oz cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
- 1 pound (16 ounces) lump crab meat (fresh, canned, or imitation)
- 1.5 cups heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill (for garnish)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta: Boil the cheese tortellini in salted water for 3-5 minutes until tender but firm. Save 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Build the Cream Sauce: Pour heavy cream into the skillet. Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until it starts to thicken.
- Season and Cheese: Stir in Old Bay, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese. Add lemon juice once the cheese has melted.
- Combine All Ingredients: Gently fold in the crab meat to heat through. Toss the cooked tortellini into the sauce until coated, adding saved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the dish sit for a moment, then garnish with fresh dill and a pinch of Old Bay before serving.
Notes
If the sauce seems too thin, let it simmer for another minute or add a little more Parmesan cheese. For a spicy version, add half a teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the garlic while it sautés. For the best presentation, use fresh dill against the white sauce for a beautiful color contrast.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Seafood
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 510
- Fat: 32g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Protein: 24g