There’s something deeply comforting about a bowl of creamy pasta, and Tortellini alla Panna is the epitome of comfort food. This Italian classic combines tender tortellini with a rich, velvety cream sauce, savory prosciutto, and sweet peas for a dish that’s both luxurious and satisfying. Perfect for a cozy dinner, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your household. Let’s dive into how to make this delightful dish!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon salt (for water)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 large garlic clove, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 16 ounces tortellini
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 2 ounces prosciutto, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
Directions
- Prepare the Water:
- Fill a large pot with water.
- Add 1 tablespoon of salt.
- Bring the water to a boil over high heat.
- Make the Cream Sauce:
- In a large pan with high sides, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
- Stir in 1 cup of heavy cream.
- Add 1 minced large garlic clove, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.
- Simmer until the mixture thickens slightly, about a minute, then remove from heat.
- Cook the Tortellini:
- Add 16 ounces of tortellini to the boiling water.
- Cook until slightly underdone (al dente), about 4-6 minutes for fresh tortellini or 8-10 minutes for dry tortellini.
- Add 1/2 cup of frozen peas in the last 2-3 minutes of cooking.
- Combine and Finish:
- Drain the tortellini, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- Return the cream sauce to medium heat.
- Add the cooked tortellini and prosciutto to the sauce.
- Stir in 3/4 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and well combined.
- If needed, add the reserved pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency.
- Serve:
- Serve warm, topped with extra Parmesan cheese.
Nutritional Information
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Calories: Approx. 850 kcal per serving
- Servings: 4
Tips for Perfect Tortellini alla Panna
- Choose Quality Ingredients: For the best flavor, use high-quality Parmesan cheese and fresh prosciutto.
- Cooking Tortellini: Be sure not to overcook the tortellini; it should be al dente to maintain its texture.
- Adjusting the Sauce: If the sauce is too thick, use the reserved pasta water to achieve the desired consistency. The starch in the pasta water helps the sauce adhere better to the tortellini.
This Tortellini alla Panna is a true Italian comfort food that brings a touch of indulgence to any meal. Whether you’re cooking for a special occasion or simply want to enjoy a delicious dinner, this recipe is sure to impress. Enjoy!
Feel free to share your thoughts or any tweaks you made to the recipe in the comments below. Happy cooking!
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Tortellini alla Panna
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Immerse yourself in the indulgent world of Italian cuisine with this Tortellini alla Panna recipe, blending the classic tastes of rich cream, delicate prosciutto, and sweet peas. This dish offers a symphony of flavors that are both comforting and sophisticated, making it a perfect meal for both casual family dinners and more formal gatherings
Ingredients
1 tablespoon salt (for water)
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup heavy cream
1 large garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
16 ounces tortellini
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
2 ounces prosciutto, cut into bite-sized pieces
1/2 cup frozen peas
Instructions
Fill a large pot with water, add salt, and bring to a boil over high heat.
In a large pan with high sides, melt butter and stir in the heavy cream over medium heat. Add garlic, salt, and pepper. Simmer until the mixture thickens slightly, about a minute, then remove from heat.
Cook tortellini in boiling water until slightly underdone (al dente), about 4-6 minutes for fresh or 8-10 minutes for dry tortellini. Add peas in the last 2-3 minutes of cooking.
Drain tortellini, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
Return the cream sauce to medium heat. Add cooked tortellini, prosciutto, and stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and well combined. If needed, add reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency.
Serve warm with extra Parmesan.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 850