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