Imagine twirling your fork into a plate of perfectly cooked cheese tortellini, draped in a velvety cream sauce, punctuated with crispy bacon bits, tender asparagus, and sweet green peas. This isn't just another pasta dish—it's a culinary journey that brings the freshness of spring right to your dinner table in just 40 minutes. Whether you're looking to impress your family or create a restaurant-worthy meal at home, this Creamy Spring Tortellini recipe is about to become your new obsession.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 package cheese tortellini
- 1 cup peas, fresh or frozen
- 1 cup asparagus, chopped
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. The water should taste like seawater to properly season the pasta.
- While water is heating, prepare your ingredients: chop asparagus into 1-inch pieces, cook bacon until crisp in a skillet, then crumble into small pieces, and grate Parmesan cheese.
- Add cheese tortellini to boiling water and cook according to package instructions, typically 7-9 minutes, until pasta is al dente and floating.
- During the last 3 minutes of pasta cooking, add fresh or frozen peas and chopped asparagus directly to the boiling water to blanch them.
- In a large skillet, heat heavy cream over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Allow cream to simmer and slightly reduce for 2-3 minutes.
- Drain pasta, peas, and asparagus, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water. Return pasta mixture to the pot.
- Pour warm cream over pasta, add grated Parmesan, crumbled bacon, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Gently toss to combine.
- If sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency. Stir until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Serve immediately in warmed pasta bowls, garnishing with additional Parmesan and cracked black pepper if desired.
Tips
- • Salt your pasta water generously—it should taste like seawater to properly season your pasta from the inside out. • Cook bacon until extra crispy for maximum texture and flavor contrast. • Reserve some pasta water before draining; it's liquid gold for adjusting sauce consistency. • Use fresh asparagus when in season for the most vibrant flavor and texture. • Don't overcook the tortellini—aim for al dente to maintain that perfect pasta bite. • Warm your serving dishes beforehand to keep the pasta hot and creamy. • For a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 650kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 42g
Saturated Fat: 22g
Cholesterol: 120mg
