Creamy Vegetarian Tortellini with Spinach, Tomato, and Mozzarella Recipe
This creamy tortellini recipe is a quick and easy vegetarian dish featuring cheese tortellini in a luscious sour cream and mozzarella sauce, accented by fresh baby spinach, tomatoes, and herbs. It’s perfect for a comforting weeknight meal and packed with fresh flavors and creamy textures.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 3-4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 15 oz (400g) refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/3 cup milk
- 2/3 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mozzarella, grated
- 1 1/2 cups baby spinach, fresh
- 1 small tomato, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2 scallions, chopped
- 2 tbsp parsley or basil, chopped
- Parmesan cheese, for topping
- Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Cook and Brown Tortellini: Heat a large deep pan over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the refrigerated cheese tortellini and stir continuously for 30 seconds to 1 minute until the tortellini turn golden brown.
- Add Milk: Pour in 1/3 cup of milk, stir well, and cook for about 1 minute to integrate flavors and slightly loosen the pan.
- Create Creamy Sauce: Add 2/3 cup sour cream to the pan, reduce the heat to medium-low, and stir continuously for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the tortellini nicely.
- Add Vegetables and Herbs: Mix in the minced garlic, chopped scallions, chopped tomato, fresh baby spinach, and chopped parsley or basil. Toss them together over low heat and grind freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Incorporate Mozzarella Cheese: Sprinkle 1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese into the pan, stirring thoroughly to further thicken the sauce and combine all ingredients evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and additional pepper if needed.
- Serve and Garnish: Remove the pan from heat. Serve the creamy tortellini immediately, topped generously with grated Parmesan cheese for an extra burst of flavor.
Notes
- Use refrigerated tortellini for best texture and shorter cooking time.
- You can substitute parsley with basil depending on your flavor preference.
- Adjust black pepper generously to bring out the flavor as recommended.
- For a vegan version, use plant-based sour cream and cheese alternatives.
- Serve immediately as the sauce thickens and firms up when cooled.
Keywords: creamy tortellini, vegetarian tortellini recipe, easy tortellini, cheese tortellini, quick Italian dinner
