Got tortelloni? This delicious pasta is often mistaken for tortellini, but it’s easily the better of the cousin pasta shapes. The larger of the two is delightfully tender, with a generous gooey filling. Here’s our favorite way to serve them: with a tangy, garlicky tomato sauce, with a touch of richness from a hint of cream. It’s a great way to make them into a tasty vegetarian dinner or easy side dish. This one has been a huge hit with any friends and family we serve it to!
What is tortelloni?
What is tortelloni, anyway? It’s easy to grab a package and mistake it for the smaller pasta shape. What is tortelloni vs tortellini?
Tortelloni is a pasta shape that is larger than tortellini with a filled center. Tortellini is smaller and ring shaped, with a hole in the middle. In traditional Italian cooking, tortelloni filling is vegetarian whereas tortellini often has meat. Tortellini is also often served in broth, whereas tortelloni is served with creamy sauces. Where to find it? Tortelloni is easy to find the refrigerated section at your local grocery. It’s usually not available dried or frozen (though you can find tortellini dried and frozen). How to tell the difference quickly? Tortellini has a hole in the middle, tortelloni has a solid center that encloses the filling.
Ways to serve tortelloni
Tortelloni is our preference over tortellini because it’s larger and more substantial. It’s great for serving with creamy sauces, whereas the smaller pasta shape can get lost. Here are some of the top ways to eat tortelloni:
Tomato sauce: Scroll down for the recipe for creamy tomato sauceCream sauce: Try Garlic Butter Sauce, White Wine Sauce or Parmesan Cream SaucePesto sauce: Swirl in Pesto Cream SauceSoup: Add a basil-scented tomato broth for Creamy Tortelloni SoupPasta salad: Whip up Easy Tortelloni Salad
Making tomato cream sauce: some tips!
This tomato cream sauce is our favorite way to serve tortelloni. It’s similar to a Vodka Sauce, but instead of slow cooking it for hours you can whip it up in just 30 minutes. Here are a few notes on the process:
Find best quality canned tomatoes. The quality of tomatoes makes the sauce. Our top choice is fire roasted, if you can find them: the flavor is sweet and developed right out of the can. Or look for San Marzano, an Italian variety of tomato with a sweet flavor. If you can’t find either, just find the best quality canned tomatoes you can find.The secret ingredient? Fennel seeds. The fennel adds add hearty, meaty flavor that can’t be replicated. Don’t leave it out!Simmer until thickened. This should take between 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the brand of tomatoes. Longer is always better, if you have the time!
Make it a meal: sides for tortelloni
Whip up a pan of this tortelloni, and you’re on your way to a delicious meal! You can serve it as a meatless main, or a side dish in part of a larger spread. We’ve served it as a side dish for salmon in a meal al fresco, and all our guests raved! Here are some ideas for making it into a meal:
Broccoli: Opt for Pan Fried Broccoli or Epic Roasted BroccoliGreen beans: Try Sauteed Green Beans or Roasted Green BeansAsparagus: Grab Lemony Broiled Asparagus or Roasted AsparagusGreens: Go for Best Ever Sauteed Kale, Sauteed Rainbow Chard or Sauteed SpinachSalad: Try Arugula Goat Cheese Salad, Easy Arugula Salad, Simple Spring Mix Salad, Perfect Italian Salad or Favorite Chopped Salad
Try it in these tortellini recipes
Can you use tortellini in this tortelloni recipe? Absolutely! These pasta types are easy to swap. You can also use tortelloni in these tasty tortellini recipes:
Try Creamy Tortellini Soup or Vegetarian Tortellini SoupMix up Cheese Tortellini in Creamy MarinaraMake tasty Easy Tortellini Salad
This tortelloni recipe is…
Vegetarian. For gluten-free, use gluten free tortelloni. 5 from 2 reviews
