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    Home » Spinach Tortellini

    Spinach Tortellini

    Published: Oct 30, 2021 · Modified: Oct 9, 2022 by Laura · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    This spinach tortellini recipe is an easy weeknight meal ready in 20 minutes. Fresh tortellini is served in a delicious creamy sauce made with tomatoes, cream, spinach and parmesan cheese.

    Spinach Tortellini being scooped out of a pan with a wooden spoon

    We didn't go out to eat often when I was a kid, but when we did it was usually at a local restaurant called Zander's Cafe. It was unimpressive in both it's location and atmosphere, but the food was incredible.

    Well, during my last pregnancy I craved this creamy spinach tortellini dish I used to get from the aforementioned restaurant, so I decided to recreate it in my own kitchen.

    In this recipe, fresh tortellini is served in a delicious creamy sauce made with tomatoes, spinach, cream, and parmesan cheese. It comes together in 20 minutes, so it's a perfect dish to make when you're short on time.

    One bite of this spinach tortellini transports me back to being a teenager, sitting across the table from my best friend chatting about life in our favorite local restaurant - nostalgia and delicious food collide.

    a bowl of Spinach Tortellini garnished with fresh basil and parmesan cheese

    Spinach Tortellini: Ingredients & Substitutions

    ingredients in this Spinach Tortellini recipe
    • Fresh cheese tortellini. I usually choose fresh tortellini. If using dried, it will take longer to cook. You can substitute your favorite pasta of any variety if you don't prefer tortellini.
    • Salted butter. Unsalted butter works well too.
    • All-purpose flour. you can substitute a gluten-free all purpose flour blend if desired.
    • Onion. I suggest a sweet yellow onion or red onion.
    • Heavy cream. use half and half or whole milk in place of heavy cream, if desired.
    • Diced tomatoes. You can choose a plain variety, fire-roasted or one with Italian seasonings. You can even use fresh chopped tomatoes if you'd prefer.
    • Spinach. Use Frozen spinach can in place of fresh, just remember to chop it up into small pieces.
    • Italian seasoning. Substitute your favorite fresh Italian herbs if you'd like.
    • Parmesan cheese. I don't recommend substitution Parmesan cheese - use a high-quality variety for the best results.
    a bowl of Spinach Tortellini garnished with fresh basil and parmesan cheese

    How to make spinach tortellini

    Begin this recipe by cooking the tortellini according to the package instructions. Note: fresh tortellini cooks much quicker than dried. If it finishes cooking before sauce is done, drain the pasta and set it aside.

    a pot of cooked tortellini to be used in this Spinach Tortellini recipe

    While the tortellini is cooking, melt the butter in a large stockpot over medium-high heat.

    Once the butter is melted, add the garlic and onion and cook until the onion is soft, about 1-2 minutes.

    two photos showing How to make Spinach Tortellini - melting butter & cooking onion with garlic

    Then, add the flour and cook for 1 minute.

    Next, add the heavy cream, whisk to combine and cook until the mixture just barely begins to thicken.

    two photos showing How to make Spinach Tortellini - adding flour and heavy cream

    Next, add the tomatoes, spinach, Italian seasoning salt and pepper and parmesan cheese and cook for 3-5 minutes or until the sauce has thickened slightly.

    two photos showing how to make the sauce for this How to make Spinach Tortellini recipe

    Then, drain the tortellini, add it to the pot, and stir until coated with sauce.

    two photos showing how to make How to make Spinach Tortellini - adding tortellini to the sauce

    Serve

    Serve immediately with fresh parmesan cheese and fresh basil as a garnish (and for flavor). Making some no knead bread or homemade french bread to sop up the delicious sauce is a must as well. This spinach tortellini pairs well with a delicious salad - especially this burrata salad.

    Spinach Tortellini being scooped out of a pan with a wooden spoon

    Store/freeze

    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days, or in the freezer for 1 month. Reheat in the microwave or over low heat on the stovetop.

    Recipe FAQs

    Is tortellini pasta healthy?

    Tortellini is healthy when served in moderation as part of a well-balanced meal. This spinach tortellini has all the food groups including greens!

    What do you serve with tortellini?

    I like to sere it with fresh parmesan cheese and fresh basil as a garnish (and for flavor). Also, baking some no knead bread or homemade french bread to sop up the delicious sauce is a must as well. This spinach tortellini pairs well with a delicious salad - especially this burrata salad.

    a bowl of Spinach Tortellini garnished with fresh basil and parmesan cheese

    If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don't forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube - be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

    Spinach tortellini

    Laura
    This spinach tortellini recipe is an easy weeknight meal ready in 20 minutes. Fresh tortellini is served in a delicious creamy sauce made with tomatoes, cream, spinach and parmesan cheese.
    5 from 9 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 12 Servings
    Calories 318 kcal

    Equipment

    • large pot
    • measuring spoons
    • measuring cups
    • spatula
    • whisk

    Ingredients
      

    • 20 ounces fresh cheese tortellini
    • 4 Tablespoons salted butter
    • 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
    • 1 TBS minced garlic
    • ½ cup onion finely diced
    • 1 ½ cups heavy cream or whole milk or half and half
    • 15 oz can diced tomatoes
    • 2 cups baby spinach chopped
    • 1 TBS Italian seasoning
    • 1 tsp sea salt
    • ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
    • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
    • Optional: fresh basil to garnish.

    Instructions
     

    • Cook the tortellini according to the package instructions – fresh tortellini cooks much quicker than dried. Drain and set aside if it finishes cooking before sauce is done.
    • While the tortellini is cooking, melt the butter in a large stockpot over medium-high heat.
    • Add garlic and onion and cook until onion is soft, about 1-2 minutes.
    • Add flour and cook for 1 minute.
    • Add heavy cream and whisk to combine. Then cook until the mixture just barely begins to thicken.
    • Add tomatoes, spinach, Italian seasoning salt and pepper and parmesan cheese and cook for 3-5 minutes or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
    • Drain the tortellini, add it to the pot, and stir until coated with sauce.
    • Serve immediately with a sprinkle of fresh parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil.

    Video

    Notes

    Ingredient Substitutions

    • Fresh cheese tortellini. I usually choose fresh tortellini. If using dried, it will take longer to cook. You can substitute your favorite pasta of any variety if you don't prefer tortellini.
    • Salted butter. Unsalted butter works well too.
    • All-purpose flour. you can substitute a gluten-free all purpose flour blend if desired.
    • Onion. I suggest a sweet yellow onion or red onion.
    • Heavy cream. use half and half or whole milk in place of heavy cream, if desired.
    • Diced tomatoes. You can choose a plain variety, fire-roasted or one with Italian seasonings. You can even use fresh chopped tomatoes if you'd prefer.
    • Spinach. Use Frozen spinach can in place of fresh, just remember to chop it up into small pieces.
    • Italian seasoning. Substitute your favorite fresh Italian herbs if you'd like.
    • Parmesan cheese. I don't recommend substitution Parmesan cheese - use a high-quality variety for the best results.
    •  

    Store/freeze

    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days, or in the freezer for 1 month. Reheat in the microwave or over low heat on the stovetop.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.5cupCalories: 318kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 10gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 562mgPotassium: 145mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1108IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 160mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Photos in this post were taken by Jamie from Dishing Out Health.

    This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine! 

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. RJ

      November 23, 2022 at 1:56 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious

      Reply
      • Laura

        November 23, 2022 at 3:31 pm

        Thank you RJ!

        Reply
    2. Samantha

      September 21, 2022 at 9:38 pm

      5 stars
      I ran to the store, but made an oopsy and FORGOT THE TOMATOES. Thankfully, i had Rotel Tomatoes and Green Chilies on hand and used that instead. Added some really good spice to it. And my family had seconds. Thank you. This was perfect.

      Reply
      • Laura

        September 22, 2022 at 2:53 pm

        Thank you Samantha! I'm so glad you family loved this recipe!

        Reply
    3. Zareen

      July 18, 2022 at 12:19 pm

      5 stars
      Mom-win with this recipe. The homemade sauce recipe really elevates store bought tortellini! Substituted half and half for heavy cream, and it was still delicious. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    4. Sarah

      February 05, 2022 at 9:48 am

      5 stars
      This is tasty! I am enjoying the leftovers for lunch as I type.

      Reply
    5. Missy

      January 31, 2022 at 3:53 pm

      5 stars
      This was delicious. I added chicken broth to keep the sauce a little thinner and added pulled rotisserie chicken for a little more protein. It was most yummy! Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
      • Laura

        February 01, 2022 at 7:26 am

        Love the addition of chicken, Missy!!

        Reply
    6. Blair

      January 04, 2022 at 5:20 am

      5 stars
      This was SO delicious and incredibly easy! I made a few adjustments based on what I had on hand: a package of spinach and cheese tortellini; whole milk; omitted the spinach; a can of stewed tomatoes that I finely diced; omitted the Italian seasoning.

      I could see this sauce being really great with penne or fettuccine! Do you think the sauce makes enough to go with a package of regular pasta, or would it be a good idea to double the recipe?

      Reply
      • Laura

        January 04, 2022 at 7:27 am

        Hey Blair! I'm so glad you love it! I worked hard to create this recipe to taste just like my favorite restaurant! 🙂 I'm sure the sauce could be used on all sorts of different pastas! You'd probably want to double it!

        Reply

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    About Laura

    I’m Laura, a former chemistry teacher turned homeschooling mom of six beautiful babies! I create simple and delicious recipes that are tested and perfected to make cooking and baking joyful and fun!

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