• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Hangry Economist logo
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Index
    • 30 Minutes or Less
    • Healthy-ish
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Sides
  • Lifestyle
    • DC/MD/VA Local Finds
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About Us
  • Lifestyle
  • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About Us
    • Lifestyle
    • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes

    Creamy Parmesan Tortellini with Tomatoes

    Published: Jul 16, 2022 · Modified: Mar 24, 2023 · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Tortellini is one of my favorite lazy weeknight dinners because it's fast, easy, delicious, and goes with a variety of sauces that make it taste new and fresh every time. This creamy parmesan tortellini is paired with fresh red peppers and tomatoes and is covered in a cream sauce that's not too heavy. It comes together fast and tastes way fancier than it actually is.

    Tortellini in a bowl with a parmesan cream sauce and tomatoes.

    This creamy parmesan tortellini is loaded with summer flavors. The juicy and acidic tomatoes pair perfectly with the cream sauce and the cooked red peppers smell so amazing and fresh. It's seriously the perfect summer meal. If you're looking for similar recipes, try our creamy spinach, red pepper, and shrimp pasta or creamy pesto fettuccine with summer vegetables.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Variations
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Creamy Parmesan Tortellini with Tomatoes Recipe

    Ingredients

    • Cheese tortellini- I get five cheese tortellini at Costco, but you can find tortellini at most grocery stores (usually in the refrigerated or frozen sections). Trader Joe's tortellini is also good! In a pinch, ravioli would work too
    • Red bell pepper
    • Cherry or grape tomatoes
    • Garlic
    • Milk- we use whole milk. 2% milk should also work, but we don't recommend 1% or skim. The creamy parmesan sauce is really best with a little extra fat
    • Chicken broth- you can substitute vegetable broth if you're vegetarian
    • Cream cheese- we use full fat
    • Parmesan cheese
    • Other ingredients: olive oil, salt, and black pepper

    See recipe card for amounts.

    Instructions

    Cook the tortellini according to package instructions.

    Cheese tortellini cooking in a pot of water.

    While the tortellini is cooking, add the olive oil and red bell peppers to a large pan over medium-low heat. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then add the tomatoes. Cook for about a minute and a half, then add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring continuously.

    Tomatoes, red peppers, and garlic cooking in a pan.

    Add the milk, chicken (or vegetable) broth, and cream cheese. Turn the heat to medium and cook until the cream cheese is melted and combined, about 5-6 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent the milk from burning and to help the cream cheese melt.

    Tomatoes and red peppers cooking in a cream sauce in a pan.

    Add the cheese, salt, and black pepper and stir until melted and combined. Then add the drained tortellini to the pan and mix until fully coated. Garnish with basil and parmesan cheese (if desired) and serve immediately.

    Tortellini, tomatoes, and red peppers in a cream sauce in a pan.

    Variations

    • Use ravioli instead of tortellini
    • Instead of cheese ravioli, use spinach, meat, or your favorite variety
    • Add spinach, asparagus, or your favorite summer vegetable
    • Add shrimp or chicken
    Creamy parmesan tortellini in a bowl with tomatoes, red peppers, and basil.

    Frequently asked questions

    What if I don't like peppers or tomatoes?

    Leave them out! Just skip straight to adding the milk, broth, and cream cheese. You could also substitute your favorite vegetable--spinach or asparagus would be great! Add the asparagus when you would have added the tomatoes and add the spinach to the sauce at the end and cook until wilted.

    Can I make my own tortellini?

    You can! We use pre-made tortellini because it's fast, but feel free to make your own.

    What do I serve this creamy parmesan tortellini with?

    It's great by itself, but it would also be great with grilled chicken or shrimp or a side salad.

    Creamy Parmesan Tortellini with Tomatoes Recipe

    Creamy Parmesan Tortellini with Tomatoes Recipe

    Recipe by Mollie

    This creamy parmesan tortellini is paired with fresh red peppers and tomatoes and is covered in a cream sauce that's not too heavy. It comes together fast and tastes way fancier than it actually is.

    Course: DinnerCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Easy
    5 from 2 votes
    Pin
    Print
    Servings

    4

    servings
    Prep time

    10

    minutes
    Cooking time

    15

    minutes
    Calories

    615

    kcal
    Total time

    25

    minutes
    Cook Mode

    Prevent your screen from going dark!

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound 1 cheese tortellini

    • 2 tablespoons 2 olive oil

    • 1 1 red bell pepper, diced

    • 1 cup 1 cherry or grape tomatoes, halved

    • 2 cloves 2 garlic, minced

    • ½ cup ½ whole milk

    • ½ cup ½ chicken broth (use vegetable broth for vegetarian)

    • 3 ounces 3 cream cheese, softened

    • ½ cup ½ parmesan cheese

    • ¼ teaspoon ¼ salt

    • ¼ teaspoon ¼ black pepper

    Directions

    • Cook the tortellini according to package instructions.
    • While the tortellini is cooking, add the olive oil and red bell peppers to a large pan over medium-low heat. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then add the tomatoes. Cook for about a minute and a half, then add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring continuously.
    • Add the milk, chicken (or vegetable) broth, and cream cheese. Turn the heat to medium and cook until the cream cheese is melted and combined, about 5-6 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent the milk from burning and to help the cream cheese melt.
    • Add the cheese, salt, and black pepper and stir until melted and combined. Then add the drained tortellini to the pan and mix until fully coated. Serve immediately.

    Notes

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag and follow @hangryeconomist on Instagram

    Like this recipe?

    Follow @hangryeconomist on Pinterest

    More Recipes

    • Air fryer baby carrots in a serving bowl topped with green garnish.
      Air Fryer Baby Carrots
    • Brown butter sage ravioli in a bowl with peas and parmesan cheese.
      Brown Butter Sage Ravioli
    • Two purple rain cocktails garnished with lime.
      Purple Rain Cocktail
    • Strawberries, basil, and halloumi on skewers on a serving plate.
      Strawberry and Halloumi Skewers

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    hi, we're Michael and Mollie

    Welcome! We are Michael & Mollie, a hangry economics enthusiast and her husband. Our goal is to provide you with delicious, accessible, and healthy-ish recipes that are both time- and money-efficient.

    More about us →

    trending Recipes

    • A bowl of creamy red pepper and tomato pasta garnished with basil.
      Creamy Red Pepper and Tomato Pasta
    • Escabeche Vegetable Salad
    • A grilled cheese burger in a basket with chips and tomato slices.
      Grilled Cheese Burger
    • Coconut Water Mocktail

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Info

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Statement

    Contact

    • Email us

    Copyright © 2022 The Hangry Economist

    We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. Learn more here.

    The Hangry Economist
    Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

    Strictly Necessary Cookies

    Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

    If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.