Description
A comforting and delicious recipe featuring tender cheese tortellini simmered in a rich, creamy meat sauce made with ground beef or Italian sausage, herbs, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a hearty weeknight meal that combines the creaminess of cheese with the robust flavors of a tomato-based meat sauce.
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
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 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 minced garlic, sautéing them until they become fragrant and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Then crumble in the ground beef or Italian sausage and cook thoroughly until browned, approximately 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Simmer the Sauce: Stir in the crushed tomatoes and Italian seasoning or fresh basil. Reduce the heat to low and allow the sauce to simmer gently for 10-15 minutes to let flavors meld and the sauce to 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, until tender but not mushy. Drain the tortellini, reserving a small amount of the pasta cooking water.
- Combine Sauce and Tortellini: Lower the heat of the meat sauce to medium-low. Slowly stir in heavy cream or half-and-half, mixing continuously until the sauce is creamy and well combined. Gently fold in the cooked tortellini, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and ensure the pasta is fully coated.
- Garnish and Serve: Turn off the heat and sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the dish. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley. Serve immediately while warm, allowing the cheese to melt into the sauce for a luscious, creamy finish.
Notes
- You can substitute Italian sausage with ground turkey for a leaner option.
- If you prefer a spicier sauce, add crushed red pepper flakes along with the Italian seasoning.
- For a lighter dish, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Reserved pasta water helps to adjust the consistency of the sauce and helps it cling better to the tortellini.
- Fresh basil or parsley adds a bright, fresh flavor—feel free to experiment with either herb.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: cheese tortellini, creamy meat sauce, Italian sausage, ground beef pasta, easy dinner, creamy pasta, Italian comfort food
