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Easy Creamy Vegetable Tortellini Recipe

Easy Creamy Vegetable Tortellini

Cheese tortellini and colorful vegetables are tossed in a homemade Parmesan cream sauce for a quick, comforting dinner. This recipe makes 4 to 6 servings in about 30 to 40 minutes.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Vegetables
  • 20 ounces Refrigerated cheese tortellini
  • 2 tablespoons Olive oil
  • 1 small Small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 medium Medium zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced
  • 1 medium Red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup Broccoli florets
  • 1 cup Cherry tomatoes, halved
Cream Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons All-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups Whole milk
  • 1/2 cup Heavy cream
  • 3/4 cup Finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon, plus more for pasta water Kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper
Finishing
  • 2 cups Baby spinach
  • 2 tablespoons, optional Fresh basil or parsley, chopped

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook the refrigerated tortellini according to the package directions, usually 3 to 5 minutes, then reserve 1/2 cup cooking water and drain.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, zucchini, bell pepper, and broccoli, and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.
  3. Add the garlic and cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute, just until the garlic is fragrant and the tomatoes begin to warm.
  4. Push the vegetables to one side of the skillet and melt the butter in the open space. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute to form a smooth roux.
  5. Gradually whisk the whole milk and heavy cream into the flour mixture. Add the Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper, then simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened.
  6. Stir the finely grated Parmesan into the hot sauce until melted and smooth. Keep the heat moderate so the sauce stays creamy rather than boiling aggressively.
  7. Add the drained tortellini and baby spinach to the skillet. Toss gently for 1 to 2 minutes, until the spinach wilts and the pasta is fully coated; add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if needed.
  8. Finish with chopped fresh basil or parsley and additional Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately while the sauce is glossy and warm.

Notes

Do not overcook the tortellini, since it will finish in the sauce. Reserve pasta water to loosen and emulsify the sauce. Grate Parmesan from a wedge for the smoothest melting. Frozen tortellini may be used with approximately 2 to 3 extra minutes of boiling time.