Imagine twirling your fork into a plate of perfectly cooked cheese tortellini, draped in a luxuriously creamy marinara sauce that promises to transport you straight to the heart of Italy. This restaurant-quality dish is about to become your new weeknight dinner hero - so easy to make, yet so incredibly delicious that your family will think you've been secretly training with a professional chef!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 package cheese tortellini
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and add a pinch of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Add the cheese tortellini to the boiling water. Cook according to package instructions, typically 8-10 minutes, until the tortellini are tender and floating at the surface.
- While the tortellini are cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30-45 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to brown the garlic.
- Pour marinara sauce into the skillet with the garlic. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Slowly stir in the heavy cream, creating a creamy marinara sauce. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for an additional 2 minutes.
- Drain the cooked tortellini in a colander, shaking off excess water.
- Add the drained tortellini directly into the creamy marinara sauce. Gently toss to coat each tortellini evenly with the sauce.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the tortellini and stir to incorporate.
- Transfer the tortellini to serving plates. Garnish with fresh torn basil leaves.
- Serve immediately while hot, offering additional Parmesan cheese at the table if desired.
Tips
- Salt your pasta water generously - it should taste like the sea to properly season your tortellini from the inside out.
- Watch your garlic carefully when sautéing; 30-45 seconds is the sweet spot to release flavor without burning.
- For an extra silky sauce, add the heavy cream slowly and stir continuously to prevent separation.
- Fresh basil is non-negotiable! It adds a bright, aromatic finish that elevates the entire dish.
- If your sauce seems too thick, reserve a little pasta water to help thin and add silkiness.
- For a quick weeknight meal, you can use high-quality store-bought marinara to save time without compromising flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 480kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 18g
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Cholesterol: 85mg
