Name: Creamy Tortellini Skillet – Quick and Easy Recipes for Dinner
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1 small onion, finely chopped; 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional); 2 cups heavy cream; 1/2 cup grated parmesan; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1 package (18 oz) refrigerated cheese tortellini; 1 cup baby spinach (optional); Fresh basil for garnish

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Here’s one of those dishes that surprises you with how low-effort it is compared to how ridiculously tasty it turns out. We’re talking about a skillet full of tender tortellini swimming in a creamy, garlicky sauce. The kind that makes you pause mid-bite and mumble, ‘Okay, wow.’ I threw this together on a Tuesday night when the fridge looked sad, the dishes were multiplying, and I had exactly one hour until a Zoom call. Turns out, a bag of store-bought tortellini, a splash of cream, and a few pantry staples can work some serious magic. This creamy tortellini skillet is everything I want dinner to be: quick, filling, just a bit indulgent, and most of all—zero stress. Whether you’re feeding picky kids, hangry adults, or just your own carb-loving soul, it’s a weeknight hero. And yeah, it makes killer leftovers too.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Creamy Tortellini Skillet Recipe
3) Ingredients for Creamy Tortellini Skillet
4) How to Make Creamy Tortellini Skillet
5) Tips for Making Creamy Tortellini Skillet
6) Making Creamy Tortellini Skillet Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Creamy Tortellini Skillet
8) Try these pasta recipes next!
9) Creamy Tortellini Skillet Recipe
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This skillet dinner brings together cheese tortellini and a rich cream sauce
Quick and easy recipes like this are perfect for weeknights
Use pantry staples and one pan for easy cleanup
You can swap in protein or veggies based on what you have

2) Easy Creamy Tortellini Skillet Recipe

If your weeknights look anything like mine, they’re a bit chaotic. Between empty fridge shelves and a brain drained from meetings or errands, dinner can feel like a hurdle. This creamy tortellini skillet steps in like a reliable sidekick. You toss it together fast, it tastes like something you actually want seconds of, and cleanup doesn’t make you sigh loudly at the sink.

Quick and easy recipes don’t have to taste like shortcuts. Here, we lean on cheese-filled tortellini to do most of the heavy lifting. The sauce? Cream, garlic, a little heat if you like, and just enough parmesan to remind you that cheese is always a good idea. The result is satisfying, cozy, and somehow still impressive.

We’ve added this to our weekly dinner rotation more times than I can count. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your roommate, or the whole family, this dish hits that rare sweet spot of low effort and high reward.

3) Ingredients for Creamy Tortellini Skillet

Olive Oil: You’ll need a little to sauté the garlic and onion. I always reach for extra virgin but use what you have.

Garlic: Minced fresh garlic brings warmth and bite to the creamy sauce.

Onion: Chop it fine so it melts right into the sauce. Adds depth and a bit of sweetness.

Chili Flakes: Totally optional, but a pinch adds a nice gentle heat that plays well with the richness.

Heavy Cream: The base of your sauce. It thickens as it simmers and gives the dish that rich, silky finish.

Parmesan: Grate it fresh if you can. Adds saltiness and that unmistakable umami hit.

Salt and Pepper: Start with a little. Taste, then add more. The cheese brings salt, too.

Cheese Tortellini: Look for the kind in the refrigerated section. They cook right in the sauce, soaking up all the flavor.

Baby Spinach: Optional, but a handful stirred in at the end gives freshness and color.

Fresh Basil: A few leaves on top make everything feel finished and bright.

4) How to Make Creamy Tortellini Skillet

Step 1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium. Add garlic and onion. Cook until they soften and start to smell sweet, about 3 minutes.

Step 2. Sprinkle in the chili flakes, if you’re using them. Stir everything together so the spices bloom in the oil.

Step 3. Pour in the cream and bring it to a light simmer. Stir in the parmesan, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer a bit until it thickens.

Step 4. Add the tortellini straight into the skillet. No need to boil them first. Let them cook gently in the sauce until tender, about 5 minutes.

Step 5. Stir in spinach at the end, if using. Let it wilt. The heat of the sauce is enough.

Step 6. Spoon it onto plates and scatter basil leaves on top. A little extra parmesan never hurts here either.

5) Tips for Making Creamy Tortellini Skillet

Don’t skip the onion. Even if you think you don’t love it, it disappears into the sauce and builds the flavor base. Chop it small and it won’t be overwhelming.

Keep the heat low when simmering the cream. High heat can make it break. A soft bubble is all you need to thicken the sauce slowly and keep it smooth.

If the sauce gets too thick, stir in a splash of milk or pasta water. If it feels thin, simmer it for another minute or two.

6) Making Creamy Tortellini Skillet Ahead of Time

This dish works well for make-ahead meals. I’ll sometimes cook it the night before and let it cool, then refrigerate in a covered dish. When you reheat, add a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce back up.

The tortellini will continue to absorb the sauce as it sits, so plan to warm it gently over low heat. It’s still delicious the next day—just a little thicker and even more comforting.

If you’re prepping for a busy week, make a double batch. Leftovers keep well and reheat beautifully, making quick and easy recipes like this even more useful.

7) Storing Leftover Creamy Tortellini Skillet

Keep any leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge. They’re good for about three to four days. I like using a glass dish so I can reheat it right in the microwave.

When reheating, a quick stir and a splash of cream or milk help bring the sauce back to life. Heat it gently, either in a pan on the stove or in short bursts in the microwave.

This recipe is one of those that gets better the next day. The flavors settle in and everything tastes a little more cozy after a night in the fridge.

8) Try these pasta recipes next!

9) Creamy Tortellini Skillet Recipe