Description

Indulge in this rich and creamy Bacon Cream Cheese Tortellini recipe, featuring tender cheese tortellini tossed in a luscious sauce made from cream cheese, heavy cream, Parmesan, garlic, and crispy bacon. Perfect for a comforting dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

1 package (9 oz) cheese tortellini

Sauce & Flavorings

1 cup cream cheese, softened
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste

Protein

6 slices of bacon, chopped

Garnish

Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

Boil the Tortellini: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cheese tortellini and cook according to package instructions, about 3-5 minutes, until they float to the surface and are tender. Drain in a colander, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy, approximately 5-7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet.
Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet with the bacon grease, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
Make the Cream Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the softened cream cheese to the skillet. Stir continuously until the cream cheese is melted and smooth. Gradually pour in the heavy cream while stirring to combine the mixture evenly and heat through.
Add Cheese and Seasoning: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until fully melted into the sauce. Then add Italian seasoning, and season with salt and pepper to your taste preference.
Combine Tortellini and Sauce: Gently fold the cooked tortellini into the creamy sauce. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time if the sauce needs thinning to reach your desired consistency.
Finish with Bacon: Stir the crispy bacon pieces into the tortellini and sauce, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dish.
Serve and Garnish: Spoon the creamy bacon tortellini onto plates or bowls. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy!

Notes

Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce thickness if needed.
For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic.
Use full-fat cream cheese and heavy cream for the creamiest sauce.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days; reheat gently to avoid sauce separation.
To make it vegetarian, omit the bacon and add sautéed mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes instead.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Boiling, Sautéing
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 520
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 720mg
Fat: 38g
Saturated Fat: 20g
Unsaturated Fat: 16g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 1.5g
Protein: 18g
Cholesterol: 110mg

Keywords: bacon cream cheese tortellini, creamy tortellini recipe, easy pasta dinner, bacon pasta sauce, Italian pasta recipe