Creamy Tomato Basil Tortellini

$To make creamy tomato basil tortellini, gather these simple items: - 1 package (9 oz) refrigerated cheese tortellini - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes - 1 cup heavy cream - 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning - Salt and pepper to taste - 1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped (plus extra for garnish) - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese You can swap some ingredients for what you have. If you don’t have heavy cream, use half-and-half. This will still make your sauce rich. For basil, try spinach or arugula if you want a twist. If you want a lighter option, you can replace cheese tortellini with a whole grain type. This change adds fiber while keeping it tasty. Choosing fresh ingredients is key to great flavor. When picking tomatoes, look for bright red cans without dents. Fresh basil should smell strong and look vibrant. For tortellini, choose a package with a clear date. The fresher the pasta, the better it will taste. When buying garlic, pick firm bulbs without soft spots. This helps you avoid bad flavor in your dish. {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. This will help the tortellini cook evenly. Once boiling, add the cheese tortellini. Cook it according to the package instructions, usually for about 3-5 minutes. You want it al dente, so it has a slight bite. After cooking, drain the tortellini in a colander. Set it aside while you make the sauce. Next, grab a large skillet and put it over medium heat. Pour in the olive oil and let it warm. Once hot, add the minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 1 minute until it smells great. Be careful not to burn it! After that, add the crushed tomatoes to the skillet. Stir well and let it simmer for about 5 minutes. This allows the flavors to blend nicely. Now, stir in the heavy cream and dried Italian seasoning. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Now it’s time to combine everything! Add the cooked tortellini to your creamy sauce. Gently toss the tortellini so it gets covered in that rich sauce. Cook it all together for about 3-5 minutes. This will heat everything through. Finally, stir in the chopped basil and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well until the cheese melts and the dish is creamy. Serve your creamy tomato basil tortellini hot, garnished with extra basil and Parmesan for a lovely finish! To make your sauce nice and creamy, use heavy cream. It blends well with the crushed tomatoes. Stir gently as you combine the cream and tomatoes. This helps keep the sauce smooth. If you want it even creamier, add more cream or some cream cheese. Mixing in fresh basil at the end adds a lovely touch. One big mistake is overcooking the tortellini. Cook it just until al dente, or it may become mushy. Also, don’t skip the seasoning. Salt and pepper enhance the flavor. Make sure to sauté the garlic until fragrant but not browned. Burnt garlic can ruin your dish. Lastly, avoid letting the sauce boil too hard after adding the cream. Want to spice things up? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat. You can also mix in some sautéed vegetables like spinach or bell peppers. If you love cheese, try adding more Parmesan or even a bit of mozzarella. A dash of balsamic glaze on top gives a sweet tang. These simple additions can make your dish even better! Pro Tips Fresh Basil is Key: Use fresh basil instead of dried for a burst of vibrant flavor that elevates the dish. Perfectly Cooked Tortellini: Make sure to cook the tortellini al dente to maintain a nice bite and texture in the final dish. Customize the Creaminess: Adjust the amount of heavy cream to your taste; for a lighter version, you can use half-and-half or whole milk. Parmesan Variations: Experiment with different types of cheese, like Pecorino Romano or a blend of Italian cheeses, for added depth of flavor. {{image_2}} You can make this dish vegetarian by using plant-based tortellini. Many brands offer cheese-filled options made without meat. You can also add more veggies! Spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers work well. Just sauté them with the garlic for extra flavor. If you want to add protein, consider cooked chicken or shrimp. Grilled chicken is tasty. Just chop it and mix it in with the tortellini. For shrimp, sauté them in olive oil until pink. Add them to the creamy sauce for a filling meal. To make this dish gluten-free, look for gluten-free tortellini. They are available in stores and online. You can also use gluten-free pasta in place of tortellini. Just check the cooking times, as they may differ from regular pasta. Enjoy your creamy tomato basil dish without worry! To keep your creamy tomato basil tortellini fresh, place it in an airtight container. Make sure to cool it to room temperature first. Store it in the fridge for up to three days. This way, the flavors stay nice and tasty. When you’re ready to enjoy your leftovers, reheat them gently. You can use a microwave or a skillet. If using a microwave, heat in 30-second bursts, stirring in between. If using a skillet, add a splash of water or cream to keep it moist. Heat over low until warm. You can freeze this dish for later meals. Let it cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. It will last up to three months in the freezer. To enjoy, thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat as mentioned above. Yes, you can use frozen tortellini. Just cook it straight from the freezer. Increase the cooking time by a few minutes. Check the package for exact times. Frozen tortellini works well in this recipe. Creamy tomato basil tortellini lasts about 3 to 5 days in the fridge. Store it in an airtight container. Make sure it’s cooled down first. This will keep it fresh and tasty. You can serve this dish with garlic bread or a fresh salad. Both pair well with the creamy sauce. You might also add some roasted veggies for more color. A sprinkle of extra Parmesan on top is always nice! In this post, we covered all the steps to make creamy tomato basil tortellini. We listed key ingredients and offered swaps to fit your needs. I shared tips to choose fresh ingredients and avoid mistakes. You learned how to cook the tortellini and make a tasty sauce. For a twist, try vegetarian options or add protein. Remember, proper storage helps leftovers last longer. Embrace these tips, and you'll create a dish to enjoy again and again. Happy cooking!$

Creamy Tomato Basil Tortellini

A delicious and creamy pasta dish featuring cheese tortellini, crushed tomatoes, and fresh basil.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4

Ingredients

9 oz refrigerated cheese tortellini
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
14 oz crushed tomatoes
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
to taste Salt and pepper
1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the cheese tortellini according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, or until fragrant.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, stirring to combine. Let it simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Stir in the heavy cream and Italian seasoning. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Add the cooked tortellini to the skillet, gently tossing it in the creamy tomato sauce. Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes until everything is heated through.
Stir in the chopped basil and grated Parmesan cheese until well combined and creamy. Remove from heat.

Notes

Serve the creamy tortellini in bowls, garnished with additional fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top for an elegant touch.

Keyword basil, creamy, pasta, tomato, tortellini