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Creamy Tortellini Carbonara

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A quick and easy 30-minute dinner featuring cheese-filled tortellini in a rich, creamy carbonara sauce with crispy pancetta. Perfect for busy weeknights or impressing guests with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz cheese-filled tortellini (fresh or frozen)
  • 4 oz pancetta, diced (bacon can be used as a substitute)
  • 3 large egg yolks
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ¾ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Salt, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz cheese-filled tortellini and cook according to package instructions until al dente (3-5 minutes fresh, 5-7 minutes frozen). Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 oz diced pancetta and cook until crispy and golden, about 5-7 minutes. Remove pancetta with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving fat in skillet.
  3. Add 2 minced garlic cloves to the skillet with pancetta fat. Sauté gently over medium-low heat for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Reduce heat to low.
  4. In a mixing bowl, whisk together 3 large egg yolks, ½ cup heavy cream, and ¾ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese until smooth. Add freshly ground black pepper.
  5. Add drained tortellini to the skillet with garlic and pancetta fat on low heat. Slowly pour the egg and cream mixture over the pasta while tossing gently with tongs or a wooden spoon. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen sauce to desired consistency. Avoid high heat to prevent curdling.
  6. Stir crispy pancetta back into the pasta. Taste and add salt if needed. Remove from heat, garnish with chopped fresh parsley if using, and serve immediately.

Notes

Keep heat low when adding egg mixture to avoid scrambling. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor. Crisp pancetta properly for texture contrast. Gently toss pasta with sauce to maintain creamy texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: tortellini carbonara, creamy pasta, quick dinner, pancetta, easy carbonara, cheesy tortellini, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://cooltastes.com/creamy-tortellini-carbonara-recipe-30-minute-easy-dinner-idea/