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
Ingredients
- 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)
Instructions
- 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.
Notes
Nutrition
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.
Sinopanamanian says
Yummy, quick and easy. The only drawback is that 2 of my family members cannot have that much milk.
Anita says
Try using chicken stock and just finish the sauce off with a small amount of heavy cream to give it the creaminess. I do this to cut back on dairy.
Emilee says
So so good! Made it exactly as the recipe stated. I’ve never been disappointed by a recipe from Lauren!
Em says
This recipe takes like 10 minutes and is sooooo good.
Larissa says
Very yummy and super quick and easy. I used some spinach I had frozen a couple weeks ago and it was delicious. Will definitely make this again! Might add some mushrooms or bacon next time.
Michelle says
Turned out great. Easy meal to whip together after a long day at work. Thanks so much!
Rachel says
Dang Lauren! This tastes like something you would eat in an Italian restaurant, except probably way healthier. I could not believe, with only 3 tbsp of flour, how creamy and smooth it turned out. I tried this to use up some spinach I had and it is definitely delish. Your website is my go to place for ideas and I am rarely disappointed. Thanks so much (and my husband thanks you profusely also).
Ellen says
A favorite of mine! Instead of cream, I use evaporated milk. Can’t taste a difference. Yummy!
Emily A says
Turned out so yummy! Will be making this one again. Thanks for the recipe.
Katie says
This was really good. Pleasantly surprised! 🙂