Creamy Tortellini with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce Recipe

Dive into a culinary adventure with this mouthwatering tortellini with roasted red pepper sauce that promises to tantalize your taste buds.

The vibrant, creamy sauce coats each delicate pasta pocket with rich, smoky flavors that dance across your palate.

roasted red peppers bring a deep, sweet complexity to this classic Italian-inspired dish.

Fresh herbs and a touch of garlic infuse the sauce with aromatic warmth and depth.

Each twirl of tortellini promises a perfect balance of textures and robust flavors that will transport you straight to the heart of Italy.

Elegant yet simple, this recipe turns an ordinary meal into an extraordinary dining experience that you’ll want to savor again and again.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15min

Cook Time: 20min

Total Time: 35min

Calories: 557 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Tortellini with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

• Roasted Red Peppers: Sweet, smoky peppers that create a vibrant foundation with rich, deep flavor complexity.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrated tomato essence that adds intense depth and tangy richness to the sauce.
• Vegetable Stock: Provides smooth liquid base and enhances overall savory undertones of the dish.

• Olive Oil: High-quality oil for smooth sautéing and adding subtle fruity undertones.
• Onion: Provides sweet, caramelized base notes and aromatic foundation for the sauce.
• Garlic: Brings pungent, earthy depth and traditional Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces subtle heat and vibrant spiciness to awaken the palate.

• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, silky texture and softens the sauce's intense flavor.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds nutty, salty complexity and helps thicken the sauce naturally.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings to balance and elevate all existing flavors.
• Tortellini: Stuffed pasta that serves as delightful carrier for the rich sauce.
• Burrata: Creamy, luxurious cheese that melts beautifully and adds indulgent richness.
• Fresh Basil: Bright, herbaceous garnish that introduces fresh, aromatic finish.

Cooking Tools for Tortellini in Pepper Sauce

• Blender or Food Processor: Essential for creating a smooth, creamy sauce base with roasted red peppers.
• Large Skillet: Key for sautéing onions, garlic, and cooking the sauce.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending cream and parmesan into a silky sauce.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping fresh basil.
• Sharp Knife: Used for breaking apart burrata and chopping herbs.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients while cooking.

Instructions for Roasted Red Pepper Tortellini

• Pepper Sauce Preparation

Grab your blender and create a vibrant sauce by mixing roasted red peppers with a splash of tomato paste and vegetable stock. This colorful base will be the heart of your dish.

• Onion Sauté

Heat a skillet and introduce chopped onions to some olive oil. Let them dance and soften, releasing their sweet aroma over medium heat until they become translucent and tender.

• Flavor Boosters

Sprinkle in minced garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes. These tiny ingredients will elevate the sauce with depth and a gentle warmth that tingles your taste buds.

• Sauce Simmering

Pour the blended pepper mixture into the skillet. Allow the sauce to bubble gently, melding flavors and creating a rich, velvety texture that promises deliciousness.

• Creamy Transformation

Lower the heat and introduce cream and parmesan. Whisk until the sauce becomes silky smooth, creating a luxurious coating that will hug each tortellini perfectly.

• Pasta Integration

Drop the tortellini into the sauce, letting them swim and absorb all the incredible flavors. A quick two-minute bath ensures they’re heated through and completely coated.

• Final Touch

Tear apart some creamy burrata and scatter it over the pasta. Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a burst of brightness that makes the dish sing.

Tips for Rich, Flavorful Sauce

• Swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half for lighter yet still luxurious texture without compromising flavor depth.
• Adjust red pepper flakes quantity to match personal heat tolerance, ranging from mild whispers to bold, fiery undertones.
• Roast additional vegetables like zucchini or eggplant, then blend into sauce for extra nutrition and complex flavor profile.
• Incorporate crispy pancetta, grilled chicken, or sautéed shrimp directly into the tortellini for a hearty, protein-packed meal that satisfies different dietary preferences.

Serve Tortellini with Red Pepper Sauce

• Creamy Comfort Plate: Serve this tortellini dish in large, shallow pasta bowls to showcase the vibrant red pepper sauce and creamy burrata.
• Rustic Italian Gathering: Pair with a crisp side salad of arugula, shaved parmesan, and a light lemon vinaigrette for a complete meal that feels like a cozy dinner in Tuscany.
• Wine Companion Delight: Select a medium-bodied white wine like pinot grigio or a light chardonnay to complement the rich, creamy sauce and enhance the roasted pepper flavors.
• Texture Boost Topping: Sprinkle toasted pine nuts or crispy breadcrumbs over the tortellini for an extra crunch that contrasts beautifully with the smooth sauce and soft cheese.

Store and Reheat Tortellini Properly

• Refrigerator Refresh: Store leftover tortellini in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. The creamy sauce tends to thicken when chilled, so add a splash of vegetable stock when reheating to restore its original silky texture.
• Freezer Strategy: Freeze the sauce separately from the tortellini for best results. The red pepper sauce can be safely stored in freezer-safe containers for 2-3 months, allowing quick meal prep on busy weeknights.
• Ingredient Prep Hack: Roast extra red peppers during initial cooking and store in olive oil within a sealed glass jar. These ready-to-use peppers will elevate future pasta dishes and salads with minimal effort.
• Quick Lunch Solution: Transform leftovers into a cold pasta salad by adding diced fresh vegetables like cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and a sprinkle of extra parmesan. Toss with a light vinaigrette for a refreshing midday meal that takes less than 5 minutes to assemble.

Vibrant Tortellini with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

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4.7 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 35min
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Homemade tortellini with roasted red pepper sauce offers a delightful Italian-inspired meal with complex flavor profiles. Creamy sauce and delicate pasta combine for a comforting dinner experience you can savor with friends and family.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 8 oz (226 g) burrata
• 10 oz (284 g) tortellini
• 1 (16 oz/454 g) jar of roasted red peppers
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ⅓ cup vegetable stock
• ¼ cup grated parmesan
• ¼ cup finely diced yellow onion
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 pinch of black pepper
• Fresh chopped basil to taste

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Instructions

1. Sauce Preparation: Blend roasted red peppers, tomato paste, and vegetable stock into a silky-smooth sauce, ensuring a uniform consistency that promises rich flavor intensity.
2. Aromatic Foundation: Sauté diced onions in olive oil until translucent, developing a sweet base layer that will enhance the sauce’s depth. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, stirring quickly to prevent scorching and maximize flavor infusion.
3. Sauce Development: Pour the blended pepper mixture into the skillet, allowing it to simmer and concentrate. Reduce heat and whisk in heavy cream, parmesan, salt, and pepper, creating a luxurious, velvety sauce with complex undertones.
4. Pasta Integration: Gently fold tortellini into the sauce, ensuring each pasta pocket becomes thoroughly coated and heated, absorbing the sauce’s intricate flavor profile.
5. Final Flourish: Artfully break burrata into rustic chunks, distributing them across the tortellini. Garnish with fresh basil leaves, adding a vibrant, aromatic finish that elevates the entire dish.

Notes

• Pepper Preparation: Roast peppers until charred and blistered for maximum smoky flavor intensity and easier skin removal.
• Sauce Smoothing Technique: Blend sauce ingredients thoroughly to eliminate any lumps, creating a silky, restaurant-quality texture.
• Cream Incorporation Tip: Add cream slowly and whisk continuously to prevent sauce separation and ensure a luxurious, velvety consistency.
• Burrata Placement Trick: Break burrata at the last moment to maintain its creamy, molten center and prevent over-melting into the sauce.

• Prep Time: 15min
• Cook Time: 20min
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 557
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 724 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 49 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 89 mg