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This Creamy Tomato and Spinach Tortellini recipe is a quick 30-minute weeknight dinner featuring cheese-filled tortellini in a rich, homemade pink tomato cream sauce with fresh spinach, basil, and parmesan cheese.
The Creamy Tortellini Pasta that's my chaos-to-calm dinner.
The Creamy Tortellini Pasta that's my chaos-to-calm dinner.This Creamy Tomato Tortellini has honestly saved me on more chaotic weeknights than I can count! It's so quick to make and budget friendly; I can keep all the ingredients on hand–tortellini in the fridge, canned tomatoes in the pantry, and extra spinach I always seem to have on hand. lBut what really makes my heart happy? Watching my kids actually eat their vegetables without complaint because they're swimming in that dreamy pink sauce.
Try my other 30-minute meal recipes, like Schnitzel, Instant Pot Spaghetti, Chicken Caesar Wraps, Baked Tacos, and Peanut Noodles!
How to make Creamy Tomato Tortellini:
Cook Tortellini: Follow the instructions to cook, watch them close they usually only cook for a couple minutes! Once they float, they're ready.
Make Sauce: I know it's tempting to just dump in a bottled sauce, but I promise this homemade sauce is quick, delicious, and tastes like it's from a restaurant! Make a simple roux with the butter and flour then add seasonings, milk, and cream. Simmer until slightly thickened then dump in diced tomatoes, spinach, basil, and oregano. Taste and adjust seasonings to your likings.
Combine: Dump in cooked tortellini and parmesan cheese into your delicious homemade sauce and toss. Serve immediately with breadsticks or homemade baguettes.
Red Sauce Tortellini
Equipment
Ingredients
- 20 ounces cheese tortellini, (the refrigerated kind)
- 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 oz can petite diced tomatoes*
- 1 1/2 cups baby spinach leaves, , chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, , chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, , to taste
- 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.20 ounces cheese tortellini
- Sauce: 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.2 Tablespoons butter, 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour, 3 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 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.15 oz can petite diced tomatoes*, 1 ½ cups baby spinach leaves, ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Finish and Serve: Remove from heat. Stir in cooked tortellini. Serve warm with extra parmesan sprinkled on top, and crushed red pepper, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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*I originally shared this recipe in September 2014. Updated April 2018 and January 2026.
Honestly, Being a 19 year old stuck in university. Your dishes are the perfect thing to get me through the days.
This was absolutely delicious! Quick and easy! I added shrimp and it really worked. Thank you for sharing. This will be my go to pasta dish!
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!
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!
That sounds delicious! I’m so happy you liked it, thanks for commenting!
This is delicious! I made it without cream and had to use lactose free milk. Turned out so well! Great recipe!
I love pasta recipes. This one looks amazing. The more important thing is the time–30 minutes preparation time makes this recipe further attractive.
Thanks Stella! It’s delicious and EASY! 🙂
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!
That makes me so happy! Thanks for sharing!
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.
This recipe looks great but can you tell me where I’d find the recipe? There is no link?
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!
This is A-mazing…my new go to pasta. Thanks Lauren!!!
Thanks Kim! I’m glad you liked it!