Description
This Sun-Dried Tomato and Spinach Tortellini is a creamy, flavor-packed Italian-inspired dish that combines cheesy tortellini, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach in a silky Parmesan cream sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s the perfect quick, comforting dinner that tastes gourmet without the effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (9-ounce) package cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or oil from the sun-dried tomato jar)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- 3/4 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter option)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water (as needed to thin sauce)
Optional Add-ins: Grilled chicken, shrimp, or mushrooms for extra protein and texture.
Instructions
- Cook the Tortellini: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the tortellini according to package directions until tender. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and let it simmer gently for 2–3 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning.
- Add Spinach: Toss in the fresh spinach and cook until just wilted, about 1–2 minutes.
- Combine: Add the cooked tortellini to the pan and gently stir to coat in the sauce. Add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen if needed.
- Serve: Plate warm and garnish with extra Parmesan, a drizzle of olive oil, or a sprinkle of fresh basil. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
Use the oil from the sun-dried tomato jar for extra flavor. Don’t overcook the tortellini — they should be tender but firm. For a vegan version, swap in plant-based tortellini and coconut cream with nutritional yeast.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 60mg