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Creamy Lemon Tortellini

Creamy Lemon Tortellini
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Creamy Lemon Tortellini offers a perfect balance of comforting richness and bright citrus freshness. Tender cheese-filled tortellini are enveloped in a velvety lemon-infused cream sauce, creating a quick and versatile pasta dish that’s ideal for weeknight dinners or impressing guests with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 10 oz cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)

Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Garnish

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or basil

Instructions

  1. Cook the Tortellini: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the cheese tortellini according to the package instructions until tender and just cooked through. Drain, reserving about 1/4 cup of the pasta water, and set tortellini aside.
  2. Prepare the Cream Sauce: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, approximately one minute.
  3. Add Heavy Cream: Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently until it thickens slightly.
  4. Incorporate Lemon Flavor: Stir in the freshly grated lemon zest and lemon juice. Taste the sauce and add more lemon juice if you prefer a brighter, more citrusy flavor.
  5. Add Parmesan and Season: Gradually stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach desired consistency.
  6. Combine Tortellini and Sauce: Gently toss the cooked tortellini in the creamy lemon sauce, ensuring each piece is well coated. Let it simmer in the sauce for 2-3 minutes to absorb the flavors.
  7. Finish with Fresh Herbs: Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or basil over the top before serving for freshness and color.

Notes

  • Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best citrus flavor.
  • Reserve some pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
  • Do not overcook tortellini; keep it al dente for optimal texture.
  • Grate Parmesan cheese yourself for smoother melting.
  • Add cream gradually to achieve your preferred sauce thickness.

Nutrition

Keywords: Creamy Lemon Tortellini, lemon pasta, creamy pasta, quick dinner, vegetarian pasta

Find it online: https://lillysplate.com/creamy-lemon-tortellini/