Silky Spinach Tortellini Triumph Recipe

Dreamy Creamy Spinach Tortellini Delight Recipe for Dinner

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this creamy spinach tortellini recipe delivers pure comfort on a plate.

Cheese-filled pasta swirls dance in a luxuriously smooth sauce that hugs every tender bite.

Rich and velvety, the dish brings together classic Italian flavors with effortless elegance.

spinach adds a vibrant green touch, infusing nutritious goodness into each forkful.

The sauce strikes a perfect balance between decadent and light, making it irresistible for all ages.

Quick to prepare and even faster to devour, this tortellini promises to become a new favorite at your dinner table.

One spoonful, and you’ll understand why this recipe is about to steal the show.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 540 kcal

Servings: 7

Everything You Need for Creamy Spinach Tortellini

For Base Vegetables:
  • Carrots: Adds natural sweetness and vibrant color to the soup, select firm and bright orange carrots.
  • Celery: Provides subtle earthy undertones and crisp texture, choose stalks with bright green leaves.
  • Onion: Builds foundational flavor profile, pick firm onions without soft spots.
  • Garlic Powder: Enhances aromatic depth without chopping fresh garlic, ensures consistent seasoning.
  • Italian Seasoning: Introduces complex herbal notes, look for blends with dried oregano, basil, and thyme.
For Thickening Agents:
  • Butter: Creates rich, smooth base and adds luxurious mouthfeel, use unsalted for better flavor control.
  • Flour: Helps create velvety texture and thickens soup naturally, all-purpose works perfectly.
For Liquid Components:
  • Vegetable Stock: Delivers robust vegetable essence, select low-sodium versions for better seasoning control.
  • Evaporated Milk: Contributes creamy consistency without overwhelming heaviness, opt for standard unsweetened variety.
For Protein and Greens:
  • Dried Tortellini: Serves as hearty protein element, choose cheese-filled for maximum flavor.
  • Fresh Spinach: Introduces vibrant color and nutritional boost, select crisp, dark green leaves.

Gather These Tools for Creamy Spinach Tortellini

  • Large Heavy-Bottomed Pot: Essential for even heat distribution and preventing burning.
  • Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for precise vegetable dicing.
  • Sharp Knife: Crucial for clean, uniform vegetable cuts.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring and combining ingredients smoothly.
  • Measuring Spoons: Helps achieve accurate seasoning and ingredient proportions.
  • Whisk: Ideal for blending liquids and preventing lumps.

How to Make Creamy Spinach Tortellini from Scratch

  • Veggie Prep Chop up a colorful mix of carrots, celery, and onions into small, bite-sized pieces that will cook quickly and evenly.
  • Sizzling Start Warm some olive oil in a big pot and toss in the chopped vegetables, letting them dance and soften until the onions turn slightly see-through.
  • Flavor Boost Sprinkle in some salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian herbs to wake up the vegetables and create a mouth-watering aroma.
  • Creamy Foundation Melt butter into the veggies and dust with a light layer of flour, stirring until everything gets cozy and combines into a smooth texture.
  • Liquid Magic Slowly pour in vegetable stock, stirring gently to create a silky base without any pesky lumps. Let it bubble and simmer.
  • Milk Magic Whisk in some creamy evaporated milk, allowing the mixture to become rich and luxurious.
  • Pasta Party Drop in the tortellini and let them swim and cook until they're tender and the soup starts to thicken up.
  • Green Finale Toss in fresh spinach leaves, letting them wilt and merge into the creamy mixture for a final burst of color and nutrition.

Smart Prep Tips for Creamy Spinach Tortellini

  • Replace cheese tortellini with meat-filled varieties like chicken or beef for a protein boost and different flavor profile.
  • Roast zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms before adding them to create deeper, caramelized flavors and additional nutrition.
  • Stir in cream cheese or grated parmesan during the final cooking stage to increase richness and create a more luxurious texture.
  • Sprinkle red pepper flakes, add a dash of smoked paprika, or include fresh cracked black pepper to introduce subtle heat and complexity.

Best Ways to Serve Creamy Spinach Tortellini

  • Pair with Crusty Bread: Serve alongside a warm, toasted slice of artisan bread to soak up the delicious, creamy broth and add a satisfying crunch to each bite.
  • Top with Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkle freshly grated parmesan over the tortellini to enhance the rich, savory flavors and add a delightful salty finish.
  • Create a Side Salad: Complement the creamy dish with a light, crisp green salad dressed in a zesty vinaigrette to balance the richness of the tortellini soup.
  • Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Scatter chopped fresh basil or parsley on top to bring a pop of color and a burst of fresh, aromatic flavor to the dish.

Tips and Make-Ahead Ideas for Creamy Spinach Tortellini

  • Refrigerate Smartly: Store leftover tortellini soup in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
  • Freeze with Care: Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Freeze up to 2 months, ensuring maximum flavor retention.
  • Reheat Gently: Thaw frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight, then warm slowly in a pot over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally to prevent scorching and maintain creamy texture.
  • Revive Consistency: If soup thickens during storage, thin it with a splash of vegetable stock or water while reheating to restore its original silky smoothness.
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Silky Spinach Tortellini Triumph Recipe

Silky Spinach Tortellini Triumph Recipe


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4.9 from 16 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Spinach tortellini create a comforting Italian-inspired dish packed with rich, creamy flavors. Cheese-filled pasta mingles with tender spinach in a luxurious sauce that welcomes you to savor each delicious bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 (8 oz/226 g) packages dried tortellini
  • 5 oz/142 g fresh spinach
  • 2 (12 oz/340 g) cans evaporated milk
  • 6 cups vegetable stock
  • 8 tbsps butter
  • 3 tbsps olive oil
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 medium to large carrots, peeled
  • 2 medium to large celery stalks
  • 1 medium white or yellow onion
  • ½ tbsp garlic powder
  • ½ tbsp italian seasoning
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prep Vegetables: Uniformly dice carrots, celery, and onion into precise 1/4-inch cubes to ensure consistent cooking and texture.
  2. Sauté Foundation: Heat olive oil in a heavy stockpot over medium-high heat, then introduce diced vegetables, cooking until onions become translucent and vegetables soften.
  3. Season Mixture: Sprinkle salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning over the vegetable base, stirring to distribute flavors thoroughly.
  4. Create Roux: Melt butter and dust flour over the vegetable mixture, whisking consistently to develop a smooth, cohesive sauce base with a golden undertone.
  5. Build Liquid Layer: Gradually stream vegetable stock into the pot, whisking continuously to eliminate lumps and create a silky, unified sauce. Simmer for 3-5 minutes to intensify flavor complexity.
  6. Develop Creamy Texture: Incorporate evaporated milk, maintaining a gentle simmer for an additional 3-5 minutes to enhance the rich, velvety consistency.
  7. Cook Tortellini: Add dried cheese tortellini, bringing the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10-12 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and monitor sauce thickening.
  8. Finish Dish: Fold fresh spinach leaves into the simmering mixture, allowing them to wilt for 3 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings to create a perfectly balanced, creamy tortellini delight.

Notes

  • Precision Chopping Matters: Uniform 1/4-inch vegetable cuts ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
  • Heat Management is Key: Use medium-high heat to develop deep flavor without burning vegetables or creating bitter undertones.
  • Whisk with Purpose: Continuous whisking prevents lumps and creates a smooth, velvety sauce base that binds all ingredients perfectly.
  • Spinach Wilting Technique: Add spinach last and let it gently wilt for exactly 3 minutes to maintain vibrant color and prevent overcooking.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 540
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 780 mg
  • Fat: 32 g
  • Saturated Fat: 17 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 52 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 14 g
  • Cholesterol: 60 mg
Sophie Reynolds

Sophie Reynolds

Co-Founder, Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • Home Cooking Innovation & Comfort Recipes
  • Flavor Development & Ingredient Pairing
  • Seasonal Produce Integration
  • Recipe Testing & Instructional Clarity
  • Culinary Education & Community Workshops

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO

  • Degree: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices, kitchen professionalism, and real-world restaurant experience through externships.

Oregon State University

  • Degree: B.S. in Nutrition and Food Management
  • Focus: In-depth study of human nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and food-service operations, with a strong foundation in public health, dietetics, and community-based nutrition programs.

Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café. 

Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.

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