Marry Me Tortellini

Name: Marry Me Tortellini (One-Pot Creamy Pasta)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped; 1 tsp Italian seasoning; 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes; 1 tbsp all-purpose flour; 3 cups vegetable broth; 20 oz fresh cheese tortellini; salt, to taste; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese; 5 oz fresh spinach; flaky salt, for garnish; black pepper, for garnish; more grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish

Marry Me Tortellini is a creamy, one-pot pasta dish that combines cheese tortellini with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a savory broth-and-cream sauce, ready in under 20 minutes without draining.

🌍Italian-American 🏷️Marry me tortellini 🏷️One-pot pasta 🏷️Tortellini 🏷️Creamy pasta Sun-dried tomato

🏷️

🏷️Spinach

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TikTok

Total

20 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$28–$46

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

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TikTok

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tbsp all-purpose flour
3 cups vegetable broth
20 oz fresh cheese tortellini
salt, to taste
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
5 oz fresh spinach
flaky salt, for garnishoptional
black pepper, for garnishoptional
more grated Parmesan cheese, for garnishoptional

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Instructions

1
In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, add olive oil.
2
Add the minced garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
3
Stir in the all-purpose flour and cook for another minute to cook out the raw flour taste.
4
Slowly pour in the vegetable broth, stirring constantly to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
5
Add the fresh tortellini and a pinch of salt. Stir to combine and cook according to package directions, usually 3-5 minutes.
6
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream.
7
Add the grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and stir until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
8
Add the fresh spinach and stir until it has wilted into the sauce.
9
Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese, flaky salt, and black pepper if desired.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Cook tortellini directly in the broth to save a dish and let it absorb flavor; don't boil separately.
Add spinach at the very end and stir gently to avoid breaking the tortellini and to retain bright color.
Bloom the red pepper flakes in oil with garlic for 30 seconds before adding broth to maximize heat and depth.
If sauce is too thin after cooking, simmer uncovered for 1–2 minutes; if too thick, stir in a splash of broth or pasta water.

Substitutions

sun-dried tomatoes → fresh cherry tomatoes, halved (fresher taste, less concentrated flavor; add at the end)
heavy cream → half-and-half or whole milk (lighter but less creamy; use 2/3 cup milk + 1 tsp cornstarch slurry)
vegetable broth → chicken broth or pasta water (richer, more traditional; adjust salt)
fresh spinach → frozen spinach, thawed and drained (works well; squeeze out excess water first)

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of broth to restore sauce consistency.

Common Questions

Can I make Marry Me Tortellini ahead of time?

Yes. Prepare the sauce and store separately in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Cook the tortellini fresh and combine just before serving to prevent sogginess.

What type of tortellini works best?

Fresh cheese tortellini yields the best texture and cooks fastest (3–4 minutes). Frozen tortellini also works but may take 1–2 minutes longer. Avoid pre-cooked tortellini as it can break apart.

Can I substitute the heavy cream?

Yes. Use half-and-half, whole milk with a splash of cornstarch, or cashew cream for dairy-free. Cream will yield the richest result; lighter options will be less thick.

How do I scale this recipe?

Double all ingredients proportionally, but increase broth by only 50% to maintain sauce consistency. Cook tortellini in batches if your pot is small to avoid crowding.