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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
