5.0 from 93 votes
Easy Tortellini Alfredo
Easy Tortellini Alfredo for the win! What beats cheese tortellini smothered in a rich, buttery, creamy, garlicky alfredo sauce on those nights when nothing but pasta will do? This dish is an easy crowd-pleaser and sure to be a new family favorite.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 575 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 18 ounces refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 3 cups milk I used fat free half and half
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- 1 - 1 ½ cups reserved pasta water
- ⅓-½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese see note
- fresh chopped parsley and grated parmesan for topping optional
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add tortellini. Boil 3 minutes. use a slotted spoon to remove from the pot or strain and reserve the pasta liquid for later.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in garlic for 1 minute til fragrant.
- Sprinkle flour over the melted butter and garlic and stir until a paste forms.
- Gradually whisk in milk until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Stir in salt, pepper, and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water.
- Stir in salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese until cheese is fully melted and incorporated.
- Gradually whisk in more pasta water as needed to rich a smooth, pourable sauce.
- Taste, add salt and pepper if needed. Stir in tortellini for 2-3 minutes til hot throughout and top with cracked black pepper, parsley, and grated parmesan if desired.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Pro tip: It's important to use freshly grated parmesan cheese, not pre-shredded or pre-grated parmesan which has a powder coating and does not melt and incorporate as well as freshly-grated parmesan.
- Pro tip: To keep freshly cooked noodles from sticking together while I prepare the rest of the recipe, I like to toss the noodles in 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil.
- Pro tip: the higher the fat content of your milk, the richer and creamier the sauce will be. For an ultra-rich and super-creamy sauce, swap out a portion of the milk for heavy cream.
Nutrition Information
Calories
575kcal
(29%)
Carbohydrates
70g
(23%)
Protein
29g
(58%)
Fat
20g
(31%)
Saturated Fat
9g
(45%)
Cholesterol
75mg
(25%)
Sodium
1353mg
(56%)
Potassium
283mg
(8%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
13g
(26%)
Vitamin A
388IU
(8%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
498mg
(50%)
Iron
4mg
(22%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 575
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 575kcal | 29% |
| Carbohydrates | 70g | 23% |
| Protein | 29g | 58% |
| Fat | 20g | 31% |
| Saturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Cholesterol | 75mg | 25% |
| Sodium | 1353mg | 56% |
| Potassium | 283mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 13g | 26% |
| Vitamin A | 388IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 498mg | 50% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.