Description
Creamy bacon tortellini alfredo delivers a symphony of rich flavors that dance across your palate with indulgent Italian-inspired comfort. Cheese-laden pasta twirled with crispy bacon creates a luxurious meal you’ll savor from first to last delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 1 package tortellini
- 8 oz bacon
Dairy:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup butter
Seasonings and Extras:
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Slice bacon into bite-sized pieces and crisp in a large skillet over medium heat until golden and fully rendered, approximately 6-7 minutes.
- Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, leaving rendered fat in the pan, and set crispy pieces aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
- In the same skillet with bacon drippings, mince garlic and sauté for 30-45 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Lower heat and add butter, allowing it to melt completely and blend with garlic and bacon fat.
- Pour heavy cream into the skillet, stirring continuously to create a smooth, consistent sauce.
- Gradually incorporate parmesan cheese, whisking until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Season the alfredo sauce with salt and black pepper, adjusting to taste.
- Meanwhile, cook tortellini in a separate pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente, typically 7-9 minutes.
- Drain tortellini and immediately transfer into the prepared alfredo sauce, gently folding to coat each pasta piece evenly.
- Sprinkle crispy bacon pieces over the tortellini, mixing to distribute throughout the dish.
- Optional: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for added color and herbaceous flavor.
- Serve hot, directly from the skillet for maximum temperature and flavor enjoyment.
Notes
- Make sure to slice bacon uniformly for even cooking and consistent crispiness.
- Monitor garlic carefully during sautéing to prevent burning, which can create a bitter taste.
- Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for superior melting and richer flavor compared to pre-shredded varieties.
- For lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk and reduce butter quantity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg