Bacon Cream Cheese Tortellini: A Delicious & Easy Recipe

Introduction

This Bacon Cream Cheese Tortellini recipe is a rich and comforting meal that comes together quickly. Creamy, cheesy sauce combined with crispy bacon makes it a perfect dish for busy weeknights or casual dinners. Enjoy a flavorful twist on classic tortellini that everyone will love.

Ingredients

• 1 (20 ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
• 1 pound bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the bacon pieces and cook, stirring occasionally, until crispy and golden brown (8-10 minutes). Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the skillet and discard any excess grease.
2. Step 2: Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the reserved bacon grease. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent (5-7 minutes). Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Reduce heat to low. Add the softened cream cheese to the skillet and stir constantly until melted and smooth. Gradually pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly until smooth and creamy. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and fully incorporated.
4. Step 4: Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Simmer gently over low heat for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow flavors to meld and thicken slightly.
5. Step 5: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the cheese tortellini and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain immediately in a colander.
6. Step 6: Add the drained tortellini to the skillet with the cream cheese sauce. Gently toss to coat. Add the crispy bacon and toss gently to combine. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley, if desired.

Tips & Variations

• For added veggies, stir in sautéed mushrooms or spinach along with the garlic.
• Use turkey bacon for a lighter version, though cooking times may vary slightly.
• If you prefer a spicier kick, increase the red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce to the sauce.
• To make it vegetarian, omit the bacon and add extra mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes for flavor.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or microwave in short intervals, stirring in between to maintain creaminess. If the sauce thickens too much during storage, add a splash of cream or milk when reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen tortellini instead of refrigerated?

Yes, frozen tortellini can be used. Just cook according to the package instructions, which may require a few extra minutes, and then drain before adding to the sauce.

Is it necessary to reserve bacon grease?

Reserving some bacon grease adds extra flavor to the sauce by sautéing the onions and garlic. However, if you prefer to reduce fat, you can substitute with olive oil or butter instead.

Bacon Cream Cheese Tortellini: A Delicious & Easy Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 81 reviews

• Author: Sophie
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4–6 servings 1x

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Description

This Bacon Cream Cheese Tortellini recipe is a rich and comforting dish that combines tender cheese tortellini with a creamy bacon-infused sauce. The savory flavor of crispy bacon and the smoothness of cream cheese and Parmesan create a luscious sauce that’s easy to prepare in under 40 minutes, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta

• 1 (20 ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini

Bacon and Sauce

• 1 pound bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Cook the Bacon: In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the bacon pieces and cook, stirring occasionally, until crispy and golden brown, about 8-10 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the skillet and discard the excess grease.
2. Sauté Onions and Garlic: Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the reserved bacon grease. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, stirring constantly until fragrant.
3. Prepare the Cream Cheese Sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Add the softened cream cheese to the skillet and stir constantly until it melts and becomes smooth. Gradually pour in the heavy cream, stirring consistently to create a smooth and creamy sauce. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until fully melted and incorporated.
4. Season & Simmer Sauce: Season the sauce with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Let the sauce simmer gently over low heat for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to meld the flavors and thicken slightly.
5. Cook Tortellini: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the cheese tortellini and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the tortellini immediately in a colander.
6. Combine & Serve: Add the drained tortellini to the skillet with the cream cheese sauce and gently toss to coat each piece well. Add the crispy bacon and chopped fresh parsley, then toss gently again to combine all ingredients. Serve immediately, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley if desired.

Notes

• For a spicier kick, increase the red pepper flakes gradually to your preference.
• Use full-fat cream cheese and heavy cream for the creamiest sauce.
• If fresh parsley isn’t available, dried parsley can be substituted—use about 1 tablespoon.
• Drain tortellini well before adding to sauce to avoid thinning the sauce.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: Bacon Cream Cheese Tortellini, Creamy Tortellini, Bacon Pasta, Easy Dinner, Comfort Food