Tortellini alla Panna is an indulgent, creamy Italian pasta dish made with plump tortellini served in a rich, parmesan cream sauce. This simple yet flavorful dish is perfect for a cozy dinner or when you need a quick and satisfying meal. Ready in under 15 minutes, it’s a crowd-pleasing recipe that’s easy to whip up and guaranteed to impress.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon salt (for water)

• 3 tablespoons butter

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 1 large garlic clove, minced

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• ¼ teaspoon pepper

• 16 oz (450g) tortellini (fresh, frozen, or dry)

• ¾ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

• Optional: prosciutto (2 oz) and peas (½ cup) for added flavor

Directions

1. Cook the Tortellini:

   • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the tortellini and cook according to the package instructions, typically 4-6 minutes for fresh tortellini or 8-10 minutes for dry. If adding peas, include them in the last 2-3 minutes of cooking.

   • Drain the tortellini, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.

2. Prepare the Sauce:

   • In a large pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the heavy cream, garlic, salt, and pepper, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about a minute until it thickens slightly.

   • Remove from heat.

3. Combine and Serve:

   • Add the cooked tortellini (and prosciutto and peas, if using) to the sauce. Stir until the tortellini is well-coated with the creamy sauce.

   • Add the grated parmesan cheese and stir until melted and the sauce becomes smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water to thin it out.

   • Serve immediately, garnished with extra parmesan cheese.

Nutrients (approximate per serving)

• Calories: 887

• Carbohydrates: 69 g

• Protein: 27 g

• Fat: 57 g

• Saturated Fat: 29 g

• Cholesterol: 183 mg

• Sodium: 3394 mg

• Potassium: 142 mg

• Fiber: 7 g

• Sugar: 6 g

The Simplicity of Tortellini alla Panna

One of the best aspects of Tortellini alla Panna is its simplicity. With only a handful of ingredients, including fresh or frozen tortellini, butter, heavy cream, garlic, and parmesan cheese, this dish delivers big flavor in a short amount of time. The creamy sauce, made with butter and heavy cream, is enriched with freshly grated parmesan, giving the dish its characteristic richness and depth of flavor.

The beauty of this dish is in its ease. It’s quick, flavorful, and requires no special cooking skills or ingredients. Plus, you can easily adapt it with additional ingredients, such as prosciutto and peas, to elevate the flavor and add more texture to the dish.

Choosing the Right Tortellini

Tortellini alla Panna is most often made with fresh tortellini, but you can use frozen or dry tortellini as well, depending on what you have on hand. Fresh tortellini only needs to be cooked for 4-6 minutes, while dry tortellini typically requires 8-10 minutes to cook. The key is to follow the package instructions to ensure the tortellini are cooked perfectly—plump and tender.

For an even heartier meal, you can opt for tortellini filled with cheese, spinach, or meat. Cheese-filled tortellini works especially well with the rich cream sauce, but if you prefer a protein boost, meat-filled tortellini will provide a deeper, savory flavor.

The Creamy Parmesan Sauce

The sauce for Tortellini alla Panna is where the magic happens. It’s made by melting butter in a pan and then adding heavy cream, garlic, salt, and pepper. The cream and butter create a luxurious base, while the garlic adds aromatic depth to the sauce. As the sauce simmers, it thickens slightly, creating a velvety texture that perfectly coats the pasta.

Freshly grated parmesan cheese is added to the sauce at the end, where it melts into the cream, making the sauce smooth and flavorful. Parmesan adds a rich, slightly nutty taste that complements the creaminess of the sauce and the tortellini. If the sauce becomes too thick, a splash of reserved pasta water can be added to loosen it up, ensuring it coats the pasta evenly without becoming clumpy.

Optional Add-ins: Prosciutto and Peas

While Tortellini alla Panna is delicious on its own, you can take it to the next level by adding prosciutto and peas. The prosciutto adds a savory, slightly salty element that balances the richness of the cream sauce, while the peas introduce a pop of color and a sweet contrast to the dish. You can add the peas in the last few minutes of cooking the tortellini, ensuring they remain bright green and tender.

If you don’t have prosciutto on hand, you can substitute it with bacon, pancetta, or even grilled chicken for added protein. This dish is highly versatile, and these optional add-ins make it easy to customize based on your preferences or what you have available.

Why This Recipe Works

Tortellini alla Panna works because it balances rich, creamy flavors with the softness of the tortellini and the sharpness of parmesan cheese. The garlic and butter create a flavorful base for the cream, while the parmesan gives the sauce its depth and umami. The dish is simple yet indulgent, making it the perfect comfort food for any occasion.

Additionally, the 15-minute prep time makes this a great option for busy weeknights. You can prepare it quickly and still enjoy a delicious, restaurant-worthy meal. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and the fact that it can be made with ingredients you likely already have in your pantry and refrigerator.

Serving Suggestions

Tortellini alla Panna is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a side salad, such as a crisp green salad or a Caesar salad. A light vinaigrette can help balance the richness of the dish and add a touch of freshness.

For a more indulgent meal, you can serve this dish with garlic bread or warm, crusty baguette slices to soak up the delicious creamy sauce. You could also add a glass of white wine, like a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, to complement the richness of the cream and the saltiness of the parmesan.

Why You’ll Love Tortellini alla Panna

Tortellini alla Panna is the ultimate comfort food: creamy, savory, and satisfying. The combination of rich cream, garlic, and parmesan creates a sauce that’s both indulgent and simple, while the tortellini is soft and comforting. The optional add-ins of prosciutto and peas add texture and flavor, making this dish easy to customize and perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re cooking for family or friends, or simply treating yourself to a quick, satisfying dinner, Tortellini alla Panna is a dish you’ll love to make again and again.

Conclusion

Tortellini alla Panna is a quick, easy, and decadent Italian dish that brings comfort and flavor to your table in no time. The creamy parmesan sauce, combined with tender tortellini, creates a perfect balance of textures and flavors. Whether you enjoy it on its own or with added ingredients like prosciutto and peas, it’s a versatile dish that can be customized to suit your taste. Ready in just 15 minutes, this dish is a perfect go-to when you’re craving a rich, satisfying meal that’s simple to prepare and guaranteed to impress. Try it tonight and enjoy a cozy, delicious dinner!