Description
Homemade creamy mushroom tortellini alfredo delivers Italian comfort with rich, silky sauce and earthy mushroom depth. Pasta lovers will savor each luxurious bite of this classic weeknight dinner that feels like a restaurant-quality indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 20 oz (567 g) package refrigerated cheese or mushroom tortellini
- 16 oz (454 g) sliced baby Bella mushrooms
- ½ cup (75 g) finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¾ cup (75 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 8 tbsps (113 g) butter
- 2 cups (480 ml) half-and-half
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp chopped fresh thyme (or to taste)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Fill a large pot with water and olive oil, bringing to a rolling boil. Submerge tortellini and cook until floating and heated through, approximately 7 minutes.
- Vegetable Sauté: In a spacious saucepan, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, onions, and garlic, sautéing until vegetables become golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Sauce Creation: Lower heat to medium, deglaze pan with half-and-half. Introduce seasonings including salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne. Simmer until sauce thickens and develops a velvety consistency.
- Cheese Integration: Gradually incorporate Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until sauce becomes smooth and glossy. Transfer sautéed mushroom mixture into the sauce.
- Final Assembly: Combine tortellini with the creamy Alfredo sauce, ensuring each pasta pocket is lavishly coated. Gently fold ingredients to distribute flavors evenly.
- Presentation: Transfer to serving dishes, garnish with fresh thyme sprigs. Serve immediately while sauce remains warm and luxurious.
Notes
- Manage Pasta Texture: Cook tortellini just until floating to prevent overcooking and maintain a tender, delicate bite.
- Control Sauce Consistency: Whisk half-and-half slowly and stir continuously to prevent separation and achieve a smooth, creamy Alfredo sauce.
- Layer Flavor Depths: Sauté mushrooms and aromatics before adding to pasta to intensify their natural, rich earthy characteristics.
- Garnish Strategically: Fresh thyme sprigs not only elevate visual presentation but also introduce a bright, herbal counterpoint to the rich, creamy dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 90mg