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Tuscan Tortellini Pasta with Spinach

Tuscan Tortellini Pasta with Spinach has cheese-filled tortellini, creamy homemade sauce, and surprises of sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, cherry tomatoes, herbs and spices, in every bite.

Tuscan tortellini in a red skillet with a spoon scooping some out.


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Tortellini is an easy weeknight meal for those busy weeknights and I love it so much, I have made many variations on it. Myย Garlic Parmesan Cheese Tortelliniย and myย Garlic Alfredo Cheese Tortelliniย make it on our dinner rotation frequently since they're just as yummy as this one and so simple to make. If you like the Tuscan type dinners with the sundried tomatoes and spinach, like this tortellini recipe, then you have to try myย Tuscan Grilled Chicken Pasta.ย 

Why Make This Tortellini For Dinner

Making this easy recipe for dinner is a no-brainer. It's filling, packed with delicious flavor, is simple to customize and really brings all the comfort food feels.ย The homemadeย creamy sauceย beats anything you can pour from a jar any day, like this Creamy Tortellini Sausage Skillet.

Your whole family will enjoy a large bowl of this pasta dinner served with some Ciabatta Garlic Bread

All the ingredients needed for this recipe.
  • Olive oil: Extra virgin is what I use.
  • Butter: Either salted and unsalted is fine
  •  Heavy cream: Half n half can be used and whole milk in a pinch it just may not be as creamy.
  • Grated parmesan cheese: Fresh grated or shredded works.
  • Vegetables: White onion, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh or frozen spinach, and cherry tomatoes.
  • Herbs and spices: minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, red pepper flakes, and fresh basil leaves
  • Flour: Helps to thicken the sauce.
  • Chicken broth: Low-sodium broth is the best option
  • Cheese tortellini: You can use fresh, frozen, or dried.

How to Make Tuscan Tortellini Pasta with Spinach

Onions and garlic sauteed with butter then flour added in.
  • Step 1: In a large skillet, add the olive oil, butter, and onion. Cook until everything softens. Add garlic and cook a bit longer. 
  • Step 2: Add flour and cook, be sure to stir. 
Spices, sun dried tomatoes added into the sauce with heavy cream.
  • Step 3: Pour in chicken broth, Italian seasoning, salt, red pepper flakes, and sun-dried tomatoes. Whisk until smooth and bring to a simmer.ย 
  • Step 4: As you reduce the heat, add the heavy cream and grated parmesan cheese and whisk. '
Tortellini padst added into the skillet. Then spinach and tomatoes.
  • Step 5: Toss in the uncooked tortellini and let simmer until you have tender tortellini pasta. 
  • Step 6: Carefully fold in the fresh baby spinach and cherry tomatoes. Serve in a large serving bowl and enjoy your good tortellini dinner. 
Tuscan tortellini in a skillet with a serving spoon.

Easy Recipe Tips and Variations

  • Add some grilled chicken breast, mild Italian sausage, or shrimp to this pasta dish to add protein. It would be similar to my Tuscan Grilled Chicken Pasta that I mentioned earlier in the post. 
  • I used the simpleย cheese-filled tortellini, but you can swap it out for flavored tortellini like aย spinach tortellini,ย which would complement the spinach in the sauce already.ย 
  • For even more creaminess, use gratedย fresh Parmesan cheeseย instead of the stuff in a jar.ย 

How To Store this Pasta

Any leftovers of this easy tortellini recipe should be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 4 days. Freezing isn't ideal, as the sauce will usually break while thawing and reheating. The texture of the tortellini may change as well as the sauce texture.ย 

Tuscan tortellini pasta on a plate with garlic bread.

Recipe Faq's

Do I have to use fresh pasta?

I like to use Rana Cheese Tortellini, they have a lot of different flavors which would be delicious in the dish. If you prefer dried tortellini, you can use that. Just follow theย package instructions to cook the tortellini toย al dente, and then add it to the cream sauce.ย 

Can I use Frozen Spinach?

Fresh spinach is preferred for thisย cheesy tortellini dinner, but if you need to use frozen you can. Just be sure to thaw it and then remove any excess water appropriately before adding it to pasta and sauce.ย 

Tuscan tortellini in a red skillet.

Creamy Tuscan Tortellini with Spinach

5 from 62 votes
Written By: Wendie
Tuscan Tortellini Pasta with Spinachย has cheese-filled tortellini, creamy homemade sauce, and surprises of sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, cherry tomatoes, herbs, and spices, in every bite.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 418

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 cup white onion diced
  • 2 tablespoon minced garlic about 5 cloves
  • ยผ cup flour
  • 2 cups chicken broth low sodium
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ยฝ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ยฝ cup sun dried tomatoes minced or julienned
  • 1 ยผ cup heavy cream
  • ยฝ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 20 ounce bag cheese tortellini
  • 2 cups spinach
  • 2 basil leaves chopped (about 2 tablespoons)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved

Instructions
 

  • Heat a large skillet on medium high heat and add the olive oil butter, onion and cook 2-3 minutes just until they soften, add in the garlic and cook another minute.
  • Sprinkle in the flour and cook another minute.
  • Whisk in the chicken broth, Italian seasoning, salt, red pepper flakes and sun dried tomatoes until smooth. Bring to a simmer.
  • Reduce the heat to medium low and add in the heavy cream and parmesan cheese and whisk until smooth.
  • Add in the uncooked pasta and simmer on medium low for 4-5 minutes or until pasta is done.
  • Fold in the spinach, basil and cherry tomatoes until combined.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Video

Notes

I used fresh RAMA cheese tortellini which cooks for 4-5 minutes. If using dried tortellini cook the pasta first to al dente according to the pkg directions then add it to the sauce.
Frozen spinach can be used just thaw and squeeze out any extra water before adding it to the pasta.
ย 

Nutrition

Serving: 6servingsCalories: 418kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 21gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 18gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 111mgSodium: 902mgPotassium: 554mgFiber: 6gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 2121IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 280mgIron: 4mg
Did You Make This Recipe?Please leave a comment below or pin it to your Pinterest account!
Course Entrees
Cuisine American
5 from 62 votes (55 ratings without comment)

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