Creamy Spinach Tortellini: A Cozy Comfort Recipe You’ll Love

Creamy spinach tortellini redefines ordinary weeknight dinners into something magical.

Pasta lovers understand the comfort of a rich, velvety dish that hugs your senses.

Tender cheese-filled pockets nestle among vibrant green leaves, creating a symphony of textures and flavors.

Each bite promises a delightful balance between hearty pasta and silky smooth sauce.

The recipe celebrates simplicity with elegant ingredients that elevate home cooking.

Nutritious leafy greens dance alongside luxurious cream, making this meal both satisfying and wholesome.

Families and friends will adore this quick, impressive culinary creation that feels like a warm embrace.

What Goes Into Creamy Spinach Tortellini

• Carrots, Celery, Onion: Fresh aromatics that provide a flavor base and nutritional depth, with crisp texture and subtle sweetness.
• Garlic Powder: Convenient seasoning that adds robust garlic flavor without chopping fresh garlic.
• Fresh Spinach: Vibrant green vegetable that adds nutrients, color, and a delicate leafy texture to the dish.

• Tortellini: Cheese-filled pasta that serves as the hearty main ingredient, offering rich flavor and satisfying texture.
• Butter: Adds richness, helps create a smooth base, and enhances overall flavor profile.
• Evaporated Milk: Creamy dairy product that provides thickness and a velvety consistency to the sauce.

• Vegetable Stock: Flavorful liquid base that adds depth and helps create a cohesive soup-like consistency.
• Olive Oil: Healthy cooking fat used for sautéing vegetables and providing a subtle fruity undertone.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall taste of the dish.
• Italian Seasoning: Dried herb blend that adds complex herbal notes and traditional Mediterranean flavor.
• Flour: Thickening agent that helps create a smooth, creamy texture for the sauce.

Cooking Creamy Spinach Tortellini Made Easy

Step 1: Chop Vibrant Vegetables

• Dice carrots
• Dice celery
• Dice onion into approximately 1/4

Step 2: Sauté Vegetable Base

Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Toss in diced vegetables and cook until they soften and onions turn slightly translucent.

Step 3: Boost Flavor Profile

• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning

Mix thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly.

Step 4: Create Roux Foundation

Melt butter completely in the pot. Dust flour over softened vegetables, stirring constantly to create a smooth, gummy consistency.

Step 5: Build Liquid Layers

Slowly pour vegetable stock while stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes.

Step 6: Introduce Creamy Texture

Whisk in evaporated milk and let the mixture simmer for another 3 to 5 minutes.

Step 7: Cook Tortellini

Add dried tortellini to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes until the soup starts to thicken.

Step 8: Finish with Fresh Greens

Fold in fresh spinach, pushing it into the soup. Simmer for an additional 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Spinach Tortellini Tips for a Creamy Finish

• Dice with Precision: Ensure uniform vegetable sizes by using a sharp knife and cutting on a stable cutting board for even cooking and consistent texture.
• Season Generously: Don't be shy with seasonings; taste and adjust salt, pepper, and herbs to elevate the overall flavor profile of the dish.
• Stir Constantly: When adding flour and liquids, keep stirring to prevent lumps and achieve a smooth, creamy consistency throughout the sauce.
• Fresh Spinach Matters: Choose crisp, bright green spinach leaves and add them at the last minute to maintain their vibrant color and nutritional value.
• Control the Heat: Maintain a gentle simmer when cooking tortellini to prevent overcooking and keep the pasta tender and perfectly al dente.

Storing and Reheating Creamy Spinach Tortellini

• Refrigeration: Store leftover Creamy Spinach Tortellini in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, the dish will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Freezing: Carefully transfer cooled tortellini to freezer-safe containers, leaving slight room for expansion. Frozen portions maintain quality for up to 2 months when sealed tightly.
• Reheating: Gently warm refrigerated portions in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of vegetable stock if the sauce seems too thick, helping restore the original creamy consistency. Microwave is an alternative option, heating in 30-second intervals and stirring between each to ensure even warming.

What to Serve with Spinach Tortellini

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc complements the creamy texture and cuts through the richness of the tortellini, creating a balanced flavor profile.
• Serve with Crusty Garlic Bread: Toasted artisan bread with garlic butter provides a perfect crunchy contrast to the soft, creamy pasta, allowing diners to soak up every delicious drop of the sauce.
• Match with Fresh Herb Salad: A light mixed green salad with a zesty lemon vinaigrette adds brightness and acidity, helping to refresh the palate between bites of the hearty tortellini soup.
• Complement with Chilled Sparkling Water: A glass of sparkling water with a slice of lemon enhances the meal's freshness and helps cleanse the palate, balancing the creamy and savory elements of the dish.

Fresh Takes on Creamy Spinach Tortellini

• Protein Power: Replace tortellini with chicken or white beans for a protein-packed version that adds extra nutrition and heartiness to the dish.
• Mediterranean Mix: Swap spinach with kale and add crumbled feta cheese, sundried tomatoes, and a sprinkle of oregano for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
• Seafood Symphony: Substitute tortellini with shrimp or crab meat, and use a splash of white wine instead of vegetable stock to create an elegant, coastal-inspired soup.
• Vegan Venture: Use plant-based tortellini, swap evaporated milk with coconut cream, and add nutritional yeast for a creamy, dairy-free alternative that maintains rich, comforting flavors.

Why Creamy Spinach Tortellini Is Irresistible

• Savor Quick Comfort: This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a heartwarming meal that comes together in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights when you crave something deliciously satisfying.
• Embrace Creamy Vegetable Magic: The combination of diced carrots, celery, and onions creates a robust flavor base, while the evaporated milk adds luxurious creaminess without heavy cream, making each spoonful incredibly smooth and rich.
• Master One-Pot Convenience: By cooking everything in a single pot, you'll minimize kitchen cleanup and maximize flavor development, allowing the tortellini to absorb all the delicious seasoned vegetable stock and create a harmonious, comforting dish that feels like a warm hug.

Creamy Spinach Tortellini Delight Recipe

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4.5 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy Spinach Tortellini Delight brings Italian comfort straight to your kitchen with minimal effort. Cheese-filled tortellini swim in a silky spinach sauce, creating a quick, satisfying meal that delivers restaurant-quality flavor in under 30 minutes.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Vegetables:

• 3 medium to large carrots, peeled
• 2 medium to large celery stalks
• 1 medium white or yellow onion

Spices and Seasonings:

• ½ tablespoon garlic powder
• ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Liquid and Dairy Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 8 tablespoons butter
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 6 cups vegetable stock
• 2 (12 ounces/340 grams) cans of evaporated milk
• 2 (8 ounces/226 grams) packages dried tortellini
• 5 ounces/142 grams fresh spinach

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Instructions

1. Carefully chop carrots, celery, and onion into uniform 1/4-inch (0.64 centimeters) cubes to promote even cooking and consistent texture.
2. Warm olive oil in a substantial, heavy-bottomed stockpot over medium-high heat, creating a sizzling cooking environment.
3. Introduce diced vegetables into the heated oil, sautéing until they become tender and onions transform into a soft, translucent state.
4. Enhance flavor profile by sprinkling salt, freshly ground black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning, thoroughly mixing to distribute seasonings evenly.
5. Melt unsalted butter completely, then dust flour over the vegetable mixture, stirring consistently to create a smooth, cohesive base with a slightly sticky consistency.
6. Slowly stream vegetable stock into the pot, whisking continuously to prevent lump formation and create a silky, unified sauce.
7. Allow the liquid mixture to gently simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, developing deeper flavor complexity.
8. Introduce evaporated milk, whisking thoroughly and maintaining a gentle simmer for an additional 3 to 5 minutes to develop rich, creamy texture.
9. Pour dried cheese tortellini into the liquid, bringing the mixture to a rolling boil before reducing heat to a gentle simmer.
10. Cook tortellini for 10 to 12 minutes, monitoring the liquid’s thickening process and stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
11. Gradually fold fresh spinach leaves into the simmering mixture, ensuring they are fully submerged and allowing them to wilt for approximately 3 minutes.
12. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed, ensuring a balanced and flavorful final dish.

Notes

• Precise vegetable cutting ensures even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
• Medium-high heat helps soften vegetables while developing rich, caramelized flavor profiles.
• Constant stirring prevents flour from burning and creates a smooth, creamy base for the soup.
• Gradual liquid addition prevents lumpy textures and promotes a silky, well-integrated sauce.
• Tortellini absorbs delicious seasonings while cooking, transforming the broth into a hearty meal.
• Fresh spinach adds vibrant color, nutritional boost, and a subtle earthy undertone to the final dish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 523 kcal
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 890 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 19 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg