Description
Hearty beef & parmesan tortellini nestles in a luxurious creamy sauce, delivering Italian comfort straight to your plate. Elegant yet simple, this dish promises a delightful culinary journey you’ll savor with every delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
meat and pasta:
- 1 lb beef, ground
- 16 oz tortellini, parmesan cheese filled
- 0.5 cup parmesan cheese, grated
sauce ingredients:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 0.25 cup milk
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
seasoning and herbs:
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then vigorously brown the ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles until no pink remains, approximately 6-7 minutes.
- Remove browned beef from skillet, leaving behind flavorful drippings, and set meat aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat.
- In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic for 30-45 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn, which would create a bitter taste.
- Pour heavy cream and milk into the skillet, stirring continuously to create a smooth, creamy base, and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Gradually incorporate half of the grated parmesan cheese into the sauce, whisking consistently to ensure a silky, lump-free consistency.
- Season the sauce with salt and black pepper, adjusting to taste and creating a well-balanced flavor profile.
- Add parmesan cheese tortellini directly into the creamy sauce, gently stirring to coat each pasta piece evenly and allow them to absorb the rich flavors.
- Return the browned beef to the skillet, mixing thoroughly to integrate all components and warm the meat through.
- Reduce heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 3-4 minutes, allowing the tortellini to become tender and absorb the sauce.
- Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the dish just before serving, providing a bright, herbaceous garnish.
- Finish by topping with remaining grated parmesan cheese, creating a delightful, melty layer of additional flavor.
Notes
- Opt for lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a lighter, healthier version of the dish.
- Toast garlic briefly to enhance its nutty, aromatic qualities without risking a bitter burnt flavor.
- Experiment with alternative tortellini like spinach, cheese, or mushroom to suit different dietary preferences.
- Consider using half-and-half or whole milk as a lighter cream substitute for a less rich sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 682
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 705 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg