Full of rich flavor, this central Italian cuisine is an amazing recipe that makes for a quick meal. It's perfect for an easy dinner that feeds a large family, potlucks, and more!
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❤️ Why you'll love it
- The main ingredients are easily found at your local grocery store.
- Creamy sauce and tortellini pasta combine for a delicious meal.
- From start to finish the total time to make this pasta alla Panna takes less than 30 minutes!
This pasta dish is the definition of comfort food! It's guaranteed to leave your guests satisfied and raving for days.
Plus, it couldn't be easier to make!
🧾 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
🔪 Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Melt butter in the pan.
- Add the ham and then pour in the cream.
- Add the Parmesan.
- Simmer for a minute or so then remove from heat and add the cooked tortellini.
🥫 Storage
Store leftover tortellini pasta alla panna in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
The easiest way to reheat your pasta is in the microwave. Just add a splash of cream or milk, and microwave it for intervals of 30 seconds, stirring in between.
Or, warm your tortellini pasta on the stovetop with cream or milk over medium heat, stirring until warm.
This does not freeze well.
📖 Variations
The good thing about this recipe is how versatile it can be! Try out some of my favorite variations below.
- Use whole wheat pasta.
- Add a drizzle of olive oil for an even richer flavor.
- Use a different type of pasta like spaghetti noodles, penne, or even shells.
- Sprinkle in some veggies like cooked mushrooms, spinach, or green peas.
- Top off your pasta with black pepper.
- Use meat tortellini.
- Swap out the creamy sauce for a tomato sauce.
💭 Things to know
Expert Tip: This tortellini alla Panna recipe comes together super quick So, prep all of the ingredients before turning on the stove!
- Save a bit of your pasta water! It can be used to freshen up the dish if it gets a bit dry.
- Use good tortellini. Homemade pasta tastes best. Or, if you're buying it from the store, just make sure it's fresh!
- Any type of fresh tortellini works well but you can use frozen, too.
👩🍳 FAQs
In Italian, alla Panna means, "with cream sauce." The sauce is similar to the french bechamel - just without the flour. Instead, it's made with whole cream, butter, and Parmesan cheese that cooks together and thickens into a sauce.
They're the same! Alfredo sauce is the American term for alla Panna sauce.
📚 Related recipes
- A homemade version of Panera's popular dish, one pan tortellini alfredo is made in the comfort of your own home in just 20 minutes!
- Perfect for summer, Italian tortellini pasta salad is made with fresh veggies and tastes even better the next day.
- Alfredo chicken with ravioli is perfect for busy weeknights.
- A hearty skillet dinner, skillet smoked sausage alfredo is quick, filling, and ready in no time.
🍽️ Serve with...
- Soak up alla Panna sauce with crusty, homemade french bread.
- This keto broccoli side salad is the easiest way to add veggies to your meal.
- A southern classic, there's nothing green pea salad doesn't pair well with.
- There's always room for dessert! Especially when it's ultra-creamy homemade cinnamon gelato.
📞 The last word
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Easy Tortellini alla Panna
Print SaveEquipment Needed
Ingredients
- 1 pound tortellini, cheese, or chicken, or your favorite - fresh is best
- 4 ounces ham, cut in bite sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup Parmesan, grated
- 6 basil leaves
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.
- Add tortellini and stir gently. Turn down to a simmer. Cook according to directions on the package.
- While the tortellini is cooking get the cream sauce started.
- Place a heavy pan over medium heat and add butter to melt.
- Stir in ham and saute for a minute or two - don't let butter begin to brown.
- Add heavy cream and whisk it into the ham and butter mixture.
- Once the first bubbles appear reduce the heat.
- Whisk in the Parmesan until creamy.
- Cook for a minute or so until the sauce has slightly reduced and thickened a bit.
- Turn off the heat.
- Drain the tortellini, reserving about a cup of the water they were cooked in.
- Add the tortellini to the pan with the sauce.
- Stir until coated with sauce.
- If tortellini seem to dry out a little you can add a tablespoons or two of the pasta water - make sure it's warm but not still boiling.
- Give everything another good toss in the pan.
- Serve immediately with the nutmeg, basil, and fresh ground pepper.
Notes
- This tortellini alla Panna recipe comes together super quick So, prep all of the ingredients before turning on the stove!
- Save a bit of your pasta water! It can be used to freshen up the dish if it gets a bit dry.
- Use good tortellini. Homemade pasta tastes best. Or, if you're buying it from the store, just make sure it's fresh!
- Any type of fresh tortellini works well but you can use frozen, too.
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