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Marry Me Tortellini

A creamy, tomato-kissed tortellini dish that can be prepared in under 20 minutes, perfect for a comforting weeknight meal or a romantic dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 12 oz tortellini (fresh or frozen — cheese-stuffed is classic)
For the Sauce
  • 1 cup heavy cream Substitute: half-and-half for a lighter version, but sauce will be thinner.
  • 1 cup marinara sauce Use your favorite jarred sauce or quick homemade marinara.
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese Freshly grated melts best.
  • Fresh basil leaves, torn or chiffonade, for garnish
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the tortellini according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, pour in the heavy cream and marinara. Stir to combine and warm until the mixture starts to steam and is evenly pink, about 2–3 minutes.
Cooking
  1. Add the cooked tortellini to the skillet. Toss gently so every piece is coated in the sauce.
  2. Sprinkle in the grated Parmesan. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy, about 1–2 minutes. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of pasta water or milk to loosen it.
  3. Taste and season with salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper.
Serving
  1. Remove from heat and garnish with torn fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Notes

For a lighter sauce, use half-and-half or mix half milk + half cream, but reduce heat to avoid separation. Swap Parmesan for Pecorino Romano for a sharper bite. Add protein (sliced grilled chicken or Italian sausage) for a heartier meal.