This Creamy Tomato and Spinach Tortellini pasta recipe is made in less than 30 minutes and perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal. The recipe includes cheese tortellini in a creamy homemade pink sauce with spinach, basil, and fresh parmesan cheese.
The only way dinner happens most nights is by taking advantage of my stock-pile of tried and true 30 minute meals. I rely on meals I can make really fast, with ingredients I have on hand, and something that my kids will eat without complaining. Creamy Tomato Spinach Tortellini fits the bill and is one of our family favorites!
How to make Creamy Tomato Spinach Tortellini:
Start by cooking the tortellini.
I prefer the refrigerated brand of tortellini best, because it’s the freshest. I typically buy the butoni brand. Cook the tortellini according to package instructions, in a pot of boiling water until tender. You will notice they will float to the top of the pot as they cook.
Feel free to use any kind of filled tortellini in this recipe, like chicken or cheese.
Then, make the a simple sauce in your sauce pan. Melt butter and add some flour. Add garlic and onion powder for flavor, and stir in milk and cream. Cook until the sauce simmer and thickens slightly.
Add diced or fresh tomatoes, spinach, basil and oregano. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings if it needs it. more flavor.
Add the parmesan cheese and cooked tortellini. Fresh shredded parmesan cheese will taste better and melt smoother than the pre-shredded packaged parmesan, but either will work. Give the pasta a gently toss to coat everything in the sauce.
Serve warm and enjoy!
MORE EASY 30-MINUTE MEALS:
- Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
- Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Wraps
- Italian Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Korean Ground Beef Bowls
- Creamy Chicken and Asparagus Pasta
- One Pan Creamy Lemon Chicken Tortellini
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Creamy Tomato and Spinach Tortellini pasta recipe is made in less than 30 minutes and perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal. The recipe includes cheese tortellini in a creamy homemade pink sauce with spinach, basil, and fresh parmesan cheese.
- 20 ounces refrigerator cheese tortellini s
- 2 Tablespoons butter , salted or unsalted
- 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 15 ounce can petite diced tomatoes*
- 1 1/2 cups baby spinach leaves , chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves , chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese , plus more for serving
- crushed red pepper flakes , for serving (optional)
Cook tortellini according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large saucepan over medium heat, add butter and cook until melted. Whisk in flour. Add garlic and and onion powder and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds.
Slowly pour in milk and cream, whisking as you pour and stirring until smooth.
Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture begins to simmer.
Add diced tomatoes, spinach, basil and oregano. Taste and season with salt and pepper or add more seasonings if desired.
Add parmesan cheese and stir until melted.
Remove from heat. Stir in cooked tortellini.
Serve warm with extra parmesan sprinkled on top, and crushed red pepper, if desired.
Want to use fresh tomatoes, instead of canned? Substitute 1 1/2 cups diced tomatoes, and 1 cup of hot water that you used to boil the tortellini.
Have you tried this recipe?!
RATE and COMMENT below! I would love to hear your experience.
*I originally shared this recipe in September 2014. Updated April 2018.
Alli @ Cupcake Diaries says
Oh my. This looks perfect! We love pasta dishes. And tortellinis are pretty much my favorite. Yum! Pinned.
Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later! says
This looks so yummy Lauren! Pasta is my weakness! Pinned!
Becky @ Project Domestication says
I love filled pasta. This looks divine.
Cathy Perez says
I love tortellini this recipe looks simply and delicious, Pinned!
Jacqui says
This looks yummy.
Tiffany says
Laur, this was great! We made it for dinner tonight and loved it! Thanks for the recipe!
Lauren Allen says
You’re comment made my day 🙂 Glad you guys liked it!
Tiffany says
Found this on Pinterest while looking for something to do with the bag of tortellini in my freezer & this was AWESOME! Thanks! Will definitely be following (and trying) more of your recipes 🙂
Lauren Allen says
Thanks Tiffany! So glad you liked it!
Teresa says
This looks so scrumptious. I can’t wait to give it a try!
Memoria says
What a gorgeous dish! I’ll be trying it out very soon! Pinned!
Caitlin says
WOW !!! Thank you for the recipe! I added in gluten free chicken sausage and my husband and I loved it…. Plus my house smells awesome!
Lauren Allen says
Thanks Caitlin–I love your substitution! Sounds yummy!
kim says
This is A-mazing…my new go to pasta. Thanks Lauren!!!
Lauren Allen says
Thanks Kim! I’m glad you liked it!
Laurie says
This recipe looks great but can you tell me where I’d find the recipe? There is no link?
Lauren Allen says
Hi Laurie, I’m so sorry, my site is having technical problems with the recipe card when viewed on a desktop or tablet device. You will be able to see the recipe if you pull it up on your mobile phone. I’m trying to resolve the problem ASAP. Sorry for the inconvenience!
Leigh Shirt says
Hi Lauren,
This recipe is really great, fast flavorful, and from scratch! My husband and 19 year old son really enjoy it. “Sneaking” in veggies is a bonus. I’ve made it per recipe but used dried basil. Leftovers are yummy as well. Thank you for posting. I look forward to exploring your website for more inspiration.
Ashlee says
Made this for dinner and finally everyone was happy!! My super picky 1 year old ate two (baby-sized) helpings and even got caught licking her plate afterwards! haha! Thank you so much for an easy but delicious recipe. I will definitely be making this again…and again!
Lauren Allen says
That makes me so happy! Thanks for sharing!
Stella says
I love pasta recipes. This one looks amazing. The more important thing is the time–30 minutes preparation time makes this recipe further attractive.
Lauren Allen says
Thanks Stella! It’s delicious and EASY! 🙂
Annie says
This is delicious! I made it without cream and had to use lactose free milk. Turned out so well! Great recipe!
Jenny says
Made this for dinner tonight and added ground Italian sausage to it. It was awesome! Will definitely make this again. Thank you for sharing this great recipe!
Lauren Allen says
That sounds delicious! I’m so happy you liked it, thanks for commenting!
Paula says
A family favorite! We have made this several times in the past couple of weeks. My kids are always asking for this, which is a true sign of a a keeper. Thank you for sharing!