4.8 from 63 votes
Brown Butter Bacon Tortellini
Brown Butter Bacon Tortellini features cheese tortellini tossed in nutty browned butter with crispy bacon, tender asparagus, and minced onion or shallot. Garlic adds depth, while freshly grated Parmesan and chopped basil contribute savory richness and herbal brightness. This pasta dish offers a combination of creamy, crisp, and fresh textures balanced with bold, buttery flavors.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings:
6
Calories:
477 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 1 pound cheese tortellini
- 6 tablespoons butter cut into tablespoon pieces
- 6 lices Bacon chopped
- 3/4 pound asparagus remove tough ends and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 onion minced, or shallot
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- salt to taste, Kosher salt
- black pepper to taste, Kosher salt
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese shredded
- 1/3 cup basil freshly chopped
- crushed red pepper flakes for garnish, extra Parmesan cheese
- Parmesan Cheese for garnish, extra Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add the tortellini and cook according to package instructions. Reserve about 1/4 cup of the starchy cooking water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat, stirring often, until it foams, smells nutty, and browns. This will take about 5 minutes. Scrape the browned butter into a small bowl and set aside.
- Add the chopped bacon to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes. Add the asparagus pieces and shallot; cook for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want the bacon to be golden brown and crispy and the asparagus to be crisp, but tender. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Add the cooked tortellini to the skillet. Pour in the browned butter and stir until the pasta is well coated. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and basil. Add more salt and pepper, if desired.
- Serve warm and garnish crushed red pepper flakes and extra Parmesan cheese.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Leftover tortellini can be kept refrigerated for up to 4 days.
- Asparagus may be swapped for other vegetables according to preference.
Nutrition Information
Calories
477kcal
(24%)
Carbohydrates
37g
(12%)
Protein
19g
(38%)
Fat
27g
(42%)
Saturated Fat
14g
(70%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
(12%)
Monounsaturated Fat
7g
(35%)
Cholesterol
79mg
(26%)
Sodium
699mg
(29%)
Potassium
193mg
(4%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Vitamin A
922IU
(18%)
Vitamin C
4mg
(4%)
Calcium
230mg
(23%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 477
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 477kcal | 24% |
| Carbohydrates | 37g | 12% |
| Protein | 19g | 38% |
| Fat | 27g | 42% |
| Saturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Cholesterol | 79mg | 26% |
| Sodium | 699mg | 29% |
| Potassium | 193mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 922IU | 18% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 230mg | 23% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.