Servings
Font
Back
5.0 from 3,240 votes

Cheese Tortellini in Garlic Butter Sauce

An easy, delicious recipe for Cheese Tortellini in a simple garlic butter sauce with basil. Keep it warm in a crockpot for a party appetizer, or serve up in a big bowl for a comforting weeknight meal in 15 minutes or less.

Cook Time
mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 508 kcal
Course: Side Dish , Main Course , Appetizer
Cuisine: Italian , American

Ingredients

  • 32 ounces chicken broth or vegetable broth, divided (see note 1)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch (see note 2)
  • 1 (16 ounce) package frozen cheese tortellini (see note 3)
  • 4 tablespoons butter (see note 4)
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
  • fresh basil chiffonade, for garnish, optional

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a large pot, bring 2 1/2 cups broth to a boil. Add cheese tortellini. Return to a boil and cook until the tortellini float to the top of the water, about 3 minutes. The internal temperature of a tortellini should be 165 degrees. Drain completely.
  2. Meanwhile, whisk together remaining 1 1/2 cups broth with corn starch. In a large non-stick skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat until foaming. Stir in garlic and basil and cook 2 minutes.
  3. Add broth-cornstarch mixture and bring to a boil; simmer until the mixture thickens, about 2 minutes longer. Add the cooked tortellini to the skillet and toss to coat.
  4. Pour into a serving dish and garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if desired.

Notes

  • Chicken broth: Do not use low-sodium chicken broth or the sauce may be bland. Homemade chicken broth is fine or you could mix up a batch with Better than Bouillon chicken base (Culinary Hill may earn money if you buy through this link). For a vegetarian version, substitute vegetable broth.
  • Cornstarch: All-purpose flour can be substituted for cornstarch. However, you may have to cook the sauce an additional 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Cheese tortellini: The cooking times in this recipe are based on frozen cheese tortellini. To substitute fresh or refrigerated tortellini, cook it for 2 to 3 minutes (it should be floating). To substitute dried tortellini, follow the instructions on the package (should be about 10 to 11 minutes).
  • Butter: Do not substitute unsalted butter or your sauce may be bland.
  • Yield: This recipe will make 4 hearty main course servings. Or, feed 8 as an appetizer or first course. If serving as part of a buffet, keep warm in a slow cooker.
  • Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition Information

Calories 508kcal (25%) Carbohydrates 55g (18%) Protein 21g (42%) Fat 23g (35%) Saturated Fat 11g (55%) Cholesterol 77mg (26%) Sodium 1523mg (63%) Potassium 195mg (6%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin A 399IU (8%) Vitamin C 16mg (18%) Calcium 265mg (27%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 508

% Daily Value*

Calories 508kcal 25%
Carbohydrates 55g 18%
Protein 21g 42%
Fat 23g 35%
Saturated Fat 11g 55%
Cholesterol 77mg 26%
Sodium 1523mg 63%
Potassium 195mg 4%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 3g 6%
Vitamin A 399IU 8%
Vitamin C 16mg 18%
Calcium 265mg 27%
Iron 4mg 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.