Description
Enjoy this easy Cheese Tortellini recipe packed with fresh summer vegetables, marinara sauce, basil, parsley, and Parmesan cheese. This 30 minute Italian inspired dinner is perfect for busy weeknights and delivers rich tomato flavor, tender cheese filled pasta, and colorful vegetables. It is easy to customize with your favorite protein, extra vegetables, or a creamy tomato sauce.
Ingredients
20 oz refrigerated three cheese tortellini
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 ears corn, kernels removed
2 cups grape tomatoes
2 medium zucchini, sliced into quarter inch half moons
3 garlic cloves, minced
1¼ cups marinara sauce
½ cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
¼ cup chopped fresh basil
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil and cook the Cheese Tortellini until just shy of fully cooked according to the package directions. Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water, then drain.
2. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Cook the onion for about 3 minutes.
3. Add the corn and cook for 2 minutes.
4. Stir in the grape tomatoes and cook for another 3 minutes.
5. Add the zucchini and garlic. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes until the vegetables are tender and many tomatoes have burst.
6. Add the drained Cheese Tortellini and marinara sauce to the skillet. Stir gently and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the pasta is tender.
7. If needed, stir in a little reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
8. Season with salt and black pepper. Stir in half of the Parmesan cheese, the basil, and the parsley.
9. Serve immediately with the remaining Parmesan cheese on top.
Notes
Refrigerated Cheese Tortellini gives the best texture and flavor.
Do not overcook the tortellini because it continues cooking in the sauce.
Cook the vegetables until just tender for the best texture.
Use reserved pasta water if the sauce becomes too thick.
Fresh basil and parsley provide the best flavor, although dried herbs may be used if needed.
Frozen corn works well instead of fresh corn.
Add cooked chicken, Italian sausage, bacon, or ground meat for extra protein.
Try mushrooms, asparagus, broccoli, carrots, yellow squash, bell peppers, or eggplant for different vegetable combinations.
For a creamy version, stir ½ cup heavy cream into the marinara sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 406
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 803 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 34 mg