Comforting Herb Butter Tortellini
A warm and comforting dish featuring tortellini in a herb butter sauce with spinach and cheese.
Ingredients
- 8.0 oz fresh or frozen tortellini
- 0.25 cup unsalted butter
- 2.0 cloves garlic, minced
- 1.0 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 0.25 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 0.25 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1.0 unit zest of lemon
- 0.0 unit salt and pepper, to taste
- 0.0 pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
- 0.5 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 0.0 unit fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the tortellini and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 3-5 minutes. If using frozen tortellini, it may take a couple of minutes longer. Reserve about 0.5 cup of the pasta water, then drain the rest.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter until it starts to foam. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1-2 minutes, until fragrant but not browned.
- Add the chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in the chopped basil, integrating it into the mixture.
- Add the drained tortellini to the skillet, tossing gently to coat the pasta in the herb butter. If the mixture seems dry, gradually add some reserved pasta water until desired creaminess is reached.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Mix until the cheese has melted and everything is well combined.
- Plate the tortellini, then top with halved cherry tomatoes and fresh parsley. Serve immediately for a warm, comforting meal.
Notes
Feel free to customize the garnishes according to your preference.