Lemon Tortellini

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I LOVE tortellini. Something about the ooey gooey cheese filling is so cozy, and even though it is a pasta dish, it always feels just a little bit more special! This lemon tortellini is great any time of the year because the creamy sauce is warm enough for winter while the lemon and spinach lightens the dish up enough for a spring or summer meal as well. 

Highlights

⏱ Prep Time: 5 minutes

🍳 Cook Time: 15 minutes

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Serves: 4

🧊 Make Ahead?- No

❄ Freezer Friendly? – No

🌱 Substitutions? You can of course serve this with any pasta if you don’t have tortellini on hand. I think the spinach is best but you can always swap out the vegetable for peas or broccoli if thats what your family prefers! You can omit the nuts if preferred or swap in almonds.

Ingredients List

  • 1 lemon
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts

  • 1 19 oz pack cheese or cheese/spinach tortellini

  • 1/2 cup heavy cream

  • 2 tablespoons butter

  • 2 tsps garlic powder

  • 2 cups spinach
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
This recipe contributes 5 items to your weekly list plus 3 pantry staples.

Recipe: Lemon Tortellini

  1. Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. 
  2. Halve the lemon and squeeze all the juice into a liquid measuring cup (remove any seeds).
  3. In a separate large pan, lightly toast the pine nuts for about 3 minutes (until lightly golden). Remove from pan and set aside (no need to wash the pan).
  4. When water is boiling, add tortellini to the pot and cook as directed. 
  5. While the tortellini cooks, heat the butter, heavy cream, lemon juice and garlic powder over medium/medium-high heat in the pan that was used to toast the pine nuts. Bring to a simmer, and as the sauce thickens stir in the spinach. Cook until slightly wilted and then remove pan from heat.
  6. Add the tortellini and half the parmesan and toss to coat.
  7. Divide into bowls and add the pine nuts on top. Serve with extra cheese.

Family Tips

  • You can always add extra salt and pepper or oregano for additional flavor, and even some extra lemon juice if you have it.
  • Not sure if your tortellini is done? The easiest way to tell is if it is floating to the top of the pot. Once they are bobbing at the surface, they are ready to drain.
  • Feel free to add more spinach as it cooks down!

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