Creamy Tomato and Herb Tortellini Sauce from Scratch Recipe
Learn how to make delicious homemade pasta sauces from scratch with simple, fresh ingredients. This recipe guides you through preparing a creamy tomato sauce perfect for dry tortellini, enhanced with aromatic herbs and finished with Parmesan cheese for a rich, satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 500 g dry Tortellini
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 shallots, finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
- 1–2 tablespoons sugar
- 500 ml passata or strained tomatoes
- 250 ml cream
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ladle of pasta water
Topping
- Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the dry tortellini according to package instructions, usually about 3-5 minutes until al dente. Reserve one ladle of pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Sauté aromatics: While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped shallots, minced garlic, and celery stalk. Cook gently until the shallots become translucent and soft, about 5 minutes.
- Add sugar and tomatoes: Stir in 1-2 tablespoons of sugar to balance acidity, then pour in 500 ml of passata or strained tomatoes. Mix well and let the sauce simmer gently for 10 minutes to develop flavor.
- Incorporate cream and herbs: Reduce heat and slowly stir in 250 ml of cream. Add 1 teaspoon oregano, ½ teaspoon thyme, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon salt. Let the sauce cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to combine all flavors.
- Finish the sauce: Add the ladle of reserved pasta water to adjust consistency and help the sauce cling to the pasta.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Toss the drained tortellini in the sauce ensuring each piece is well-coated.
- Serve: Plate the tortellini and optionally sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top as a garnish for extra richness and flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute cream with a lighter alternative or coconut cream for a different flavor profile.
- To enhance the sauce, add a pinch of chili flakes for a subtle heat.
- If using fresh tortellini, reduce cooking time accordingly.
- Parmesan is optional but highly recommended for authentic taste.
- Reserve pasta water to control sauce consistency and help it bind better to the pasta.
Keywords: homemade pasta sauce, tortellini sauce, creamy tomato sauce, easy Italian sauce, vegetarian pasta sauce
