Description
Creamy bacon tortellini alfredo promises a luxurious Italian-inspired comfort meal that blends rich cheese sauce with crispy bacon bits. Indulgent pasta lovers will savor each perfectly balanced bite of this quick and satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 (20 ounces / 567 grams) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1 cup (100 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
Finishing Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons (28 grams) unsalted butter
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) whole milk
- ¼ cup (15 grams) chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare a generously salted water bath in a substantial pot, allowing it to reach a vigorous boil before gently introducing the tortellini. Allow the pasta to tumble and dance in the bubbling liquid until achieving tender perfection, following the package’s recommended cooking duration.
- While the pasta relaxes, transform chopped bacon into crispy golden morsels within a spacious skillet positioned over medium heat. Once the bacon reaches a delightful crunch, extract the pieces using a perforated utensil, reserving approximately one tablespoon of the rich, rendered fat.
- Introduce butter to the waiting bacon-infused pan, allowing it to melt and mingle with the residual grease. Swift work with minced garlic will release its aromatic essence, requiring mere moments of sizzling attention.
- Pour heavy cream and milk into the skillet, creating a luxurious base. Whisk in finely grated Parmesan, creating a silky landscape seasoned with salt, cracked pepper, Italian herbal blend, and a whisper of red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer and thicken, developing depth and complexity.
- Reunite the crisp bacon pieces with the cooked tortellini, gracefully folding them into the creamy sauce, ensuring each morsel becomes lavishly coated.
- Present the dish adorned with freshly chopped parsley and an elegant snowfall of additional Parmesan, inviting diners to savor the warm, indulgent creation immediately.
Notes
- Bacon Selection Matters: Choose thick-cut bacon for maximum flavor and crispiness, ensuring a more robust texture in the final dish.
- Drain Excess Grease: Pat bacon with paper towels after cooking to remove extra oil, preventing the sauce from becoming overly greasy.
- Cheese Quality Upgrade: Use freshly grated Parmesan instead of pre-shredded for a more authentic, rich melting quality and smoother sauce consistency.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap regular tortellini with gluten-free tortellini to make the recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Vegetarian Twist: Replace bacon with crispy mushrooms or smoked tempeh for a meat-free version that maintains a similar smoky flavor profile.
- Sauce Thickness Control: If sauce becomes too thick, gradually add a splash of pasta water to achieve desired consistency without compromising flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg