Irresistible Garlic Butter Cheese Tortellini: Your New Favorite 15-Minute Meal

There’s something magical about a dish that delivers gourmet flavor with minimal effort. Cheese tortellini in garlic butter sauce embodies this perfect balance – a recipe that’s become a staple in my household and countless others seeking that sweet spot between convenience and culinary satisfaction. Whether you’re planning an elegant dinner party appetizer or simply need a quick weeknight meal, this versatile tortellini dish rises to every occasion.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity – ready in just 15 minutes or less, yet offering a depth of flavor that might suggest hours of careful preparation. The tender cheese-filled pasta pockets bathed in a rich, garlicky butter sauce create a harmonious combination that appeals to both sophisticated palates and picky eaters alike.

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Why I Love This Cheese Tortellini

After 20 years of testing and perfecting countless pasta dishes, this Cheese Tortellini in Garlic Butter Sauce remains one of my absolute favorites for several compelling reasons:

The incredible flavor-to-effort ratio is unmatched. In just 15 minutes, you achieve a restaurant-quality dish with minimal ingredients and simple techniques. The rich garlic butter sauce clings perfectly to each tortellini, creating little pillows of flavor that delight with every bite.

Perhaps most importantly, this dish has that rare universal appeal – sophisticated enough for adults while remaining accessible for children and picky eaters. It’s the recipe I consistently recommend to novice cooks looking to impress without stress and to experienced chefs seeking a reliable crowd-pleaser.

The Essential Ingredients for Perfect Cheese Tortellini in Garlic Butter Sauce

Before diving into preparation, let’s gather everything needed for this delightful dish:

For the Tortellini:

• 1 package (9-12 ounces) refrigerated cheese tortellini
• 4 cups chicken broth (for cooking the pasta)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)

For the Garlic Butter Sauce:

• 4 tablespoons salted butter
• 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/4 cup cold chicken broth
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to make Cheese Tortellini Recipe

Creating this dish is wonderfully straightforward, with each step building toward a delectable finale:

1. Prepare the Tortellini Base: In a large pot, bring the chicken broth to a gentle boil. Add your cheese tortellini and cook according to package directions until they’re tender but still firm (al dente). The pasta will absorb the flavorful broth as it cooks, infusing each bite with savory goodness.
2. Create the Thickening Mixture: While the tortellini cooks, combine 1/4 cup cold chicken broth with cornstarch in a small bowl, whisking until completely smooth. This slurry will transform your sauce from thin to luxuriously silky.
3. Build the Garlic Butter Foundation: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter until it begins to foam slightly. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30-60 seconds until fragrant but not browned (burnt garlic turns bitter). The aroma filling your kitchen at this point is simply divine!
4. Combine and Thicken the Sauce: Pour the cornstarch mixture into the garlic butter, whisking constantly. Cook for 1-2 minutes as the sauce begins to thicken. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon when ready.
5. Marry the Components: Once the tortellini is cooked, drain it (reserving a bit of the cooking broth if you want to adjust the sauce consistency later). Add the tortellini directly to the skillet with the sauce, gently tossing to coat each piece evenly. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and offer grated Parmesan at the table.

Suggested Variations

Add Protein

• 1 cup cooked shrimp, added at the end
• 1/4 cup crispy crumbled bacon or prosciutto
• 1 cup cooked chicken pieces

Add Vegetables

• 1 cup sautéed mushrooms
• 1 cup steamed broccoli florets
• 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, sliced
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1/4 cup kalamata olives, halved
• 1/2 cup marinated artichoke hearts, chopped

For Entertaining

• Transfer to a slow cooker on « warm » setting to serve buffet-style
• Thread onto decorative toothpicks for an elegant appetizer presentation

Serving Suggestions and Storage Tips

This recipe comfortably serves 3-4 people as a main course or 6-8 as an appetizer or side dish. The versatility extends to how you serve it:

For Entertaining: Transfer everything to a slow cooker on the « warm » setting for dinner parties. It keeps beautifully for a couple of hours, allowing guests to serve themselves. For an elegant appetizer presentation, skewer individual tortellini with colorful toothpicks and provide the sauce as a dip.

Elevate with Add-ins: Transform this simple dish into something extraordinary with these delicious additions:

• Sautéed mushrooms (cremini or shiitake work beautifully)
• Cooked shrimp or crispy prosciutto for protein
• Crisp-tender broccoli florets or bright red bell pepper strips for color and nutrition
• Halved cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, or marinated artichoke hearts for Mediterranean flair

Storage Solutions: Leftover tortellini in garlic butter sauce keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of broth or water to refresh the sauce, as it tends to thicken considerably when chilled.

Fun Fact: While exploring cheese tortellini recipes, it’s worth noting the difference between tortellini and their larger cousins, tortelloni. Both are stuffed pasta, but tortellini are smaller with a characteristic ring shape, while tortelloni are larger half-moon parcels – both delicious vessels for cheese and other fillings!

Frequently Asked Questions

What pairs well with cheese tortellini?

Beyond the garlic butter sauce featured here, tortellini harmonizes beautifully with cream-based sauces (Alfredo or creamy tomato), pesto, or simple olive oil and herbs. For accompaniments, consider garlic bread, a crisp green salad, or roasted vegetables to round out the meal.

Can I make this cheese tortellini ahead of time?

For best results, prepare the components separately if working ahead. Cook the tortellini until just shy of al dente, then refrigerate. Make the sauce and refrigerate separately. When ready to serve, gently reheat the sauce, adding a touch more broth if needed, then toss with the tortellini and warm through.

Nutrition Information

Other recipe You may like it

• Tini’s Mac and Cheese
• Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel
• Marshmallow Sweet Potato Casserole
• Slow-roast Easter stuffed lamb

The versatility of cheese tortellini makes it a wonderful canvas for culinary creativity. Whether you stick with this classic garlic butter preparation or venture into other tortellini dishes, you’re sure to create memorable meals with minimal effort – proving that sometimes the simplest recipes deliver the most satisfying results.