Easy, Fast and OH SO Delicious! With this recipe for How to Cook Tortellini, you'll be enjoying packaged tortellini or frozen tortellini in no time at all!
How to Cook Tortellini
If you pick up a packaged tortellini, a box of dried tortellini or a bag of frozen tortellini in the grocery and wonder "how do I use this", then have no worries because this recipe will go over all of that with you.
I'll show you how to cook tortellini for an easy, light and wonderful weeknight family meal (or, since it comes in a package, you can cook just enough for 1-2 people easily enough too!).
Pairs great with this homemade (and EASY) Spaghetti Sauce.
Here's What You'll Need to Know How to Cook Tortellini
- Packaged Tortellini (Frozen, dried or fresh refrigerated tortellini)
- Sauce ingredients
Here's How You Do It
- Cook the tortellini according to the package instructions if dried (if frozen or fresh, you can simply start with the part where you add the tortellinis to the sauce.
- Make the sauce by mixing the sauce ingredients together.
- Add the spinach and pasta to the sauce and allow to simmer.
- Enjoy!!!
Special Equipment for How to Cook Tortellini
You don't really need any special equipment at all BUT I always find that when I need to dip something out of hot water, my kitchen spider is the best tool for that job.
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How Long to Cook Tortellini
This is going to depend on if you have dried, frozen or fresh.
Dried - cook for 10 minutes in boiling water until al dente. Drain and add to sauce.
Frozen - 5-10 mins in boiling water or added to your simmering sauce to heat through.
Fresh - 5 minutes to heat through in your simmering sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Yes, this dish freezes very well after it has been cooked. It's great for freezing in zip lock bags in single portions that you can warm up for a quick lunch later!
This dish will last for 5 days if you keep it covered in the refrigerator.
Tips and Tricks
For Dried Tortellini Pasta
- You will find dried tortellini pasta in the pasta aisle. It often comes in a box just like the short pasta pieces
- Dried tortellini pasta cooks up just like any other dried pasta and all you have to do is to follow the directions on the box. Boil it for the amount of time stated and then you can drain it by pouring it into a colander or dipping it out with a kitchen spider.
Fresh Tortellini Pasta
- You'll often find the fresh pasta in the refrigerated section of your grocery. These pastas are easy to use and to cook. They only take a moment of warming in your dish.
- This is the quickest way to get your dinner on the table fast. Just have your sauce ready to go and put the pasta into the sauce. Easy Peasy!
Frozen Tortellini Pasta
- Add the frozen tortellini directly to the sauce, allow to simmer until heated completely through.
For the Entire Recipe
- For an even easier dinner, simply add your favorite jarred sauce to the pan and then add the spinach and cooked or ready pasta to it. You can dress it up by adding some additional spices.
- If you feel that your dish needs some protein, add tofu, chicken, sausage, ground pork or ground beef (cook first).
- Sprinkle with some feta cheese just before serving for an added cheesy bite.
- Save by putting into a covered dish in the fridge.
- Reheat by placing back on the stovetop and warm gently over medium heat.
Substitutions
- Tortellini - You can literally substitute any pasta for the tortellini but if you do, it won't have the delicious cheese filling.
- Sauce Ingredients - you can substitute a jarred sauce for all of the sauce ingredients. You'll end up with the same end product. You may want to spice it up to your liking
- Spinach - if spinach isn't your thing, you can add a different green leafy such as kale BUT spinach wilts so nicely that it would be hard to do better than spinach.
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Watch Us Make Tortellini Soup
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Spinach Cheese Tortellini
Ingredients
- 1 package of cheese tortellini dried, frozen or fresh – prepare per package instructions
- 2 tbs olive oil
- 2 tbs butter
- 1 small onion – diced
- 2 cloves garlic – minced
- 1 large can of crushed tomato
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- Pepper and Salt to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 2 teaspoon raw sugar
- 2 Tbs flour
- ¾ C milk
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ¼ c Parmesan Cheese – grated fresh is best. Plus more to taste.
Instructions
- Prepare tortellini per package instructions.
- In a large stainless steel pan, heat onions in olive oil and butter over medium heat until onions are soft and translucent (about 3-4 minutes). Add the garlic and allow to cook x 1 minutes. Continue to allow the tomato mixture to simmer.
- Add the tomatoes (juice and all), salt and pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, thyme, oregano, cumin and dried basil and raw sugar and allow to simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add spinach leaves all at once and place lid on the pan so that spinach can wilt. Stir occasionally until leaves are wilted. If tomato mixture becomes to dry – you can add water ¼ cup at a time as needed to wilt the spinach.
- Once the spinach is wilted, in a small bowl, mix flour, milk and cream together and whisk together with a fork or a whisk. Once well blended, add to the tomato/spinach mixture. Add the Parmesan Cheese.
- Using a slotted spoon, remove the tortellini from its cooking water and place into the tomato mixture. Gently mix with a wooden spoon being careful not to tear up the tortellini. Heat on stove top until all is heated through. Serve immediately. Garnish with parmesan cheese and fresh basil
Notes
- You will find dried tortellini pasta in the pasta aisle. It often comes in a box just like the short pasta pieces
- Dried tortellini pasta cooks up just like any other dried pasta and all you have to do is to follow the directions on the box. Boil it for the amount of time stated and then you can drain it by pouring it into a colander or dipping it out with a kitchen spider.
- You'll often find the fresh pasta in the refrigerated section of your grocery. These pastas are easy to use and to cook. They only take a moment of warming in your dish.
- This is the quickest way to get your dinner on the table fast. Just have your sauce ready to go and put the pasta into the sauce. Easy Peasy!
- Tortellini - You can literally substitute any pasta for the tortellini but if you do, it won't have the delicious cheese filling.
- Sauce Ingredients - you can substitute a jarred sauce for all of the sauce ingredients. You'll end up with the same end product. You may want to spice it up to your liking
- Spinach - if spinach isn't your thing, you can add a different green leafy such as kale BUT spinach wilts so nicely that it would be hard to do better than spinach.
- Add the frozen tortellini directly to the sauce, allow to simmer until heated completely through.
Nutrition
This post originally appeared on the pages of Loaves and Dishes on March 23, 2015 and has been updated with "Here's what You'll need", "Heres how you do it", FAQ's, Tips and Tricks, Substitutions, Helpful Equipment, Video, more photos, Photo Alt descriptions, nutrition information, equipment information, reasonable instructions and notes on the recipe.
I've noticed many passages quoted lately demonstrating how one should judge the actions of others and only associate yourself with those you find to be pure and worthy.
But is that really letting your light shine before others? I'm just thinking about that.
Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven
Moxie says
Love it!
Rita says
This really looks delicious. My only concern is that the raw flour is added directly into the milk and cream mixture. Is it really okay to do that ? I mean, don't you end up tasting it in your final dish ?
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Rita. Thanks for the comment. I hear you on your concern there and it makes total sense. However- I have never had a problem with tasting the flour. Perhaps because we are adding it to the simmering tomato spinach mix and it continues to simmer as you add the tortellini. That must cook it enough that I've never had that flour taste. Perhaps I should make that a little more clear in the instructions. I'll add a note about that when I am back at a regular computer rather than my phone. :). Have a great day!
Josie says
This tortellini looks delicious, love this Italian comfort food! 🙂
Christine from Cook the Story says
I love how quickly this recipe comes together, and it's a great way to get kids to eat spinach, too.
Elena says
Simple pastas are one of my fall/winter staples. They're just so easy and they make you feel instantly comforted. I've been loving the wilted arugula/mozzarella/gnocchi combo. I'll have to sauce up some tortellini!
wendi.spraker@yahoo.com says
Elena, Your combo sounds wonderful!!
Chris @ Celebrations At Home says
Oh my, this looks delicious! Great family meal or for entertaining.
wendi.spraker@yahoo.com says
Thanks Chris! It works great around here for family meals. 🙂
Kirsten says
Wendi,
Tortellini is such a great pasta for a hearty meal. My whole family enjoys it! This looks like a terrific way to feed us some farm share spinach--thanks!
wendi.spraker@yahoo.com says
Thanks Kirsten - I try to throw an extra handful or two of spinach in here and there! 🙂 Enjoy.