Description
This creamy tortellini carbonara is a quick, comforting dinner featuring cheese-filled tortellini tossed in a silky egg and cream sauce with crispy bacon, peas, and Parmesan. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s a crowd-pleasing twist on classic carbonara that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 20 oz cheese tortellini (refrigerated or frozen)
- 6 slices bacon (about 5 oz), chopped
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
- 1 cup peas (thawed if frozen, optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add tortellini and cook according to package instructions (3–5 minutes for refrigerated, 5–7 minutes for frozen). Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped bacon and cook until crispy, about 6–8 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of bacon fat from the pan. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add peas and cook for another minute to heat through.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, heavy cream, and Parmesan. Season with salt and a generous amount of black pepper.
- Add drained tortellini to the skillet with garlic and peas. Remove pan from heat. Pour the sauce over the pasta and toss gently to coat. Add reserved bacon and a splash of pasta water (a tablespoon at a time) until the sauce is creamy and glossy.
- Sprinkle chopped parsley and extra Parmesan over the top. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately.
Notes
For vegetarian, substitute bacon with smoked sun-dried tomatoes or sautéed mushrooms. Use gluten-free tortellini for a gluten-free version. Always remove the pan from heat before adding the egg mixture to avoid scrambling. Save pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Leftovers reheat well with a splash of milk or cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4 of recipe (approximately 2 cups)
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 1100
- Fat: 32
- Saturated Fat: 16
- Carbohydrates: 54
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 26
Keywords: tortellini carbonara, creamy pasta, comfort food, easy dinner, weeknight meal, bacon pasta, Italian recipe, cheese tortellini, carbonara twist