Velvety Beef & Parmesan Tortellini In Creamy Sauce Recipe

Hearty Beef & Parmesan Tortellini Creamy Sauce Recipe

Comfort beckons with this delectable beef & parmesan tortellini in creamy sauce that promises to tantalize every taste bud.

Rich, velvety textures meld perfectly in this hearty Italian-inspired dish.

Tender beef-filled tortellini swim in a luxurious, silky sauce that whispers pure indulgence.

Each forkful delivers a symphony of robust flavors and creamy elegance.

Parmesan adds a sharp, salty complexity that transforms this meal from simple to spectacular.

The recipe combines classic ingredients with modern cooking techniques for a stunning dinner.

Dive into this irresistible culinary experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 743 kcal

Servings: 3

What Goes In Beef & Parmesan Tortellini In Creamy Sauce Recipe

For Pasta Base:
  • Tortellini: Cheese-filled pockets that provide a delightful, hearty foundation for the dish with rich, comforting flavor.
For Protein and Flavor Builders:
  • Ground Beef, Parmesan Cheese: Robust ground beef adds meaty depth while Parmesan brings sharp, salty complexity to elevate the overall taste profile.
For Sauce and Aromatic Components:
  • Olive Oil or Butter, Beef Broth, Heavy Cream, Onion, Garlic, Italian Seasoning, Red Pepper Flakes, Salt, Black Pepper: Create a luxurious, silky sauce with layers of warmth and subtle heat; choose fresh garlic for maximum punch and look for high-quality cream for smoothest texture. Select authentic Italian seasoning blend for genuine Mediterranean essence.
For Finishing Touches:
  • Parsley: Fresh herb adds bright, clean color and subtle herbaceous note to complement the rich, creamy base.

Kitchen Tools For Tortellini In Creamy Sauce Recipe

  • Large Pot: Essential for boiling tortellini with plenty of salted water.
  • Large Skillet: Perfect for browning beef, sautéing vegetables, and creating the creamy sauce.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helps break up ground beef and stir sauce smoothly.
  • Colander: Needed to drain tortellini after cooking.
  • Cutting Board: For chopping onions, garlic, and parsley.
  • Sharp Knife: Used to dice vegetables precisely.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.

Steps To Make Beef & Parmesan Tortellini In Creamy Sauce

  • Water Bath

Grab a big pot and fill it with water. Sprinkle in some salt and get it bubbling hot. Drop in the tortellini and let them dance around until perfectly tender. Drain and set them aside for their next adventure.

  • Beefy Foundation

Warm up a skillet and transform that ground beef into golden, crumbly goodness. Let it sizzle and break apart, creating delicious browned bits. Drain away any extra fat and set the beef aside.

  • Flavor Builders

In the same skillet, welcome diced onions and minced garlic. Let them mingle and soften, releasing their aromatic magic for a few delightful minutes.

  • Creamy Magic

Pour in beef broth and let it simmer, capturing all those delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Introduce heavy cream, Parmesan, seasonings, and let everything blend into a luxurious sauce. Allow it to thicken slightly with gentle bubbling.

  • Final Symphony

Reunite the beef and tortellini with the creamy sauce. Gently toss everything together, letting the flavors meld and warm through completely.

  • Presentation

Sprinkle some fresh parsley on top and add an extra cascade of Parmesan. Serve immediately with a side of crusty bread or crisp salad for a meal that feels like a warm hug.

Ways To Elevate Beef & Parmesan Tortellini In Creamy Sauce Recipe

  • Fresh Pasta Perfection: Select high-quality refrigerated or fresh tortellini for the best texture and flavor, ensuring a more authentic Italian dining experience.
  • Low-Carb Alternative: Replace traditional tortellini with zucchini noodles or cauliflower gnocchi to create a lighter, lower-carbohydrate version of this delicious dish.
  • Protein Power Swap: Experiment with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat alternatives for a different protein profile while maintaining the recipe's creamy essence.
  • Dairy-Free Modification: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and nutritional yeast in place of Parmesan cheese to create a lactose-free version that's equally rich and satisfying.
  • Spice Level Control: Adjust red pepper flakes to suit your heat tolerance, starting with a pinch and gradually increasing for those who enjoy a more intense flavor profile.

Serving Beef & Parmesan Tortellini In Creamy Sauce With Bread

  • Quick Bread Companion: Slice some crusty garlic bread to soak up the delicious creamy sauce, adding a delightful crunch and extra flavor to the meal.
  • Fresh Salad Pairing: Toss together a crisp mixed green salad with cherry tomatoes and a light vinaigrette to balance the richness of the tortellini and provide a refreshing contrast.
  • Wine Selection Tip: Complement the creamy beef dish with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Pinot Noir, which will enhance the flavors of the Parmesan and ground beef.
  • Veggie Boost: Sprinkle some roasted vegetable medley on the side – think zucchini, bell peppers, and asparagus – to add color, nutrition, and a healthy touch to your hearty pasta meal.

Storing Beef & Parmesan Tortellini In Creamy Sauce For Meals

Keep the tortellini dish sealed in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Leftovers maintain their delicious flavor when stored properly.

  • Quick Reheating Technique: Warm the dish in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of beef broth or cream to restore moisture and prevent dryness. Stir gently to distribute heat evenly and maintain the sauce's creamy texture.
  • Freezer-Friendly Option: Pack cooled tortellini in freezer-safe containers, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best results.
  • Portion Control Trick: Divide the recipe into individual meal-prep containers for easy grab-and-go lunches. This strategy helps manage serving sizes and simplifies weekday meal planning.
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Velvety Beef & Parmesan Tortellini In Creamy Sauce Recipe

Velvety Beef & Parmesan Tortellini In Creamy Sauce Recipe


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4.6 from 18 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 3 1x

Description

Homemade beef & parmesan tortellini delivers Italian comfort in one delightful dish. Rich pasta pockets packed with savory meat blend perfectly with silky cream sauce, inviting home cooks to savor classic flavors.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
  • 1 lb (454 g) cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
  • ½ cup beef broth
  • 2 tbsps olive oil or butter
  • 1 small onion (diced)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • ½ tsp dried Italian seasoning
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt (to taste)
  • Black pepper (to taste)
  • Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Boil Tortellini: Fill a large pot with salted water and cook tortellini according to package instructions until they float and reach al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Sear Beef: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown ground beef, breaking into fine crumbles until golden. Drain excess fat and remove from pan.
  3. Aromatic Base: In the same skillet, sauté onions and garlic until translucent and fragrant, releasing their delicate flavors.
  4. Create Sauce: Deglaze pan with beef broth, scraping up browned bits. Whisk in heavy cream, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Simmer until sauce thickens and becomes velvety smooth.
  5. Combine and Finish: Reintroduce cooked beef and tortellini into the creamy sauce, gently folding to ensure complete coating. Warm through for 2-3 minutes, allowing flavors to meld harmoniously.
  6. Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan. Plate alongside crusty garlic bread or a crisp garden salad for a complete meal.

Notes

  • Pasta Precision: Choose fresh or frozen tortellini and cook exactly according to package instructions to maintain ideal texture and prevent mushiness.
  • Fat Management: Drain excess beef fat thoroughly to prevent sauce from becoming overly greasy and ensure a balanced, clean flavor profile.
  • Sauce Consistency: Simmer sauce gently to allow natural thickening; avoid rapid boiling which can cause separation or curdling of cream-based sauce.
  • Seasoning Balance: Adjust red pepper flakes and Italian seasoning to personal heat tolerance, understanding Parmesan adds natural saltiness to the dish.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 3
  • Calories: 743
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 951 mg
  • Fat: 48 g
  • Saturated Fat: 24 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 49 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 36 g
  • Cholesterol: 130 mg
Liam O’Sullivan

Liam O’Sullivan

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Isabella brings a global spark to the Craft Meats table. Born in Florence and trained at the Apicius International School of Hospitality, she blends classic Italian flavor with modern writing that’s easy to follow and hard to forget. 

Her additional training at the Italian Chef Academy fueled her love for well-crafted dishes, especially ones that spotlight beautiful cuts of meat.

She’s a food writer with heart, and a deep love for storytelling through single recipes. Her goal? To help you cook with more confidence and a little more joy, no matter where you start.

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