Creamy Instant Pot Tortellini Recipe
Instant Pot Tortellini is a fantastic pasta dish for the whole family. It’s got everything going for it’s full of rich, homemade tomato sauce, tender tortellini, fresh spinach, and grated Parmesan cheese!
This creamy hearty Tortellini Instant Pot recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and is super fast to make. If you love the convenience of your Instant Pot and crave comforting pasta dishes, then this easy Instant Pot Tortellini recipe is perfect for you.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Instant Pot Tortellini Recipe
- Deliciously Creamy: This recipe offers a rich, velvety sauce that perfectly coats the tortellini.
- Efficient Cooking: The Instant Pot cuts down on cooking time and cleanup effort.
- Versatile Meal: It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or an impressive guest meal.
Tortellini Instant Pot Ingredients
Here are the ingredients needed for this Instant Pot Tortellini recipe:
- Chicken Stock or Chicken Broth: Adds depth and a savory note to the dish, enhancing the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Heavy Cream: Contributes to the creamy texture of the dish, adding a rich, indulgent feel and helping to balance out the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Red Bell Pepper: Adds a fresh, slightly sweet crunch that contrasts nicely with the soft tortellini.
- Large Onion: Provides a base flavor, adding a sweet, tangy note that complements the other ingredients.
- Tortellini: These filled pasta pockets are the star of the dish, offering a delightful chewy texture and often a cheese or meat filling.
- Olive Oil: Helps to release the flavors of the garlic and onion and adds a subtle richness.
- Crushed Garlic: Infuses the dish with a pungent, aromatic flavor that pairs well with the tomatoes and herbs.
- Thyme & Basil: Add a fragrant, earthy note, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the dish.
- Salt & Freshly Ground Pepper: Enhance the natural flavors of the ingredients.
- Chopped Baby Spinach: Offers a pop of color and a fresh, slightly bitter contrast to the rich, creamy sauce.
- Chopped Tomatoes – Pureed: Creates a bright, tangy sauce that coats the tortellini and balances the richness of the cream.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Melts into the dish, adding a salty, umami kick that enhances the flavors and ties the dish together.
How to Cook Tortellini in the Instant Pot
Here is a step-by-step guide to cooking tortellini in the Instant Pot.
Step 1: Saute in Instant Pot
Place the onions, bell pepper, olive oil and fresh garlic and seasonings into the Instant Pot and saute until softened.
Step 2: Add Tortellini to Instant Pot
Add the Tortellini and chicken stock to your Instant Pot.
Step 3: Blend Tomatoes
Place the canned diced tomatoes into a small bowl and blend using an immersion blender. This will make it into a marinara sauce. Once blended add the sauce to the inner pot.
Step 4: Pressure Cook Tortellini
Close the Instant Pot lid and set the pressure valve to the closed setting. Pressure-cook the Tortellini for 2 minutes on high pressure.
Step 5: Quick Release Pressure
Perform a quick pressure release and remove the Instant pot lid once all the steam has escaped.
Step 6: Add Cream to Tortellini
Add the cream and baby spinach to your Tortellini stirring with a wooden spoon.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve Instant Pot Tortellini
Plate your tortellini and sprinkle with parmesan cheese and fresh herbs. Your Instant Pot tortellini is now ready to serve.
How to Store Tortellini Leftovers?
Tortellini leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator or can be placed into a tightly sealed freezer-safe bag for freezing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Tortellini Pasta?
Tortellini is a type of pasta dough that is typically stuffed with cheese or other savory fillings. It is usually served in soup as an easy one-pot meal or as part of a pasta dish and comes in many different shapes and sizes. Some popular varieties of tortellini include beef tortellini, spinach tortellini, mushroom tortellini, and cheese tortellini.
What Is Tortellini Made Out Of?
Tortellini is typically made from a combination of flour, eggs, water, and salt. The dough is then stuffed with cheese or other savory fillings, such as ground meat or vegetables. In addition to being delicious and filling, tortellini pasta also has many nutritional benefits, including high protein content and a good source of calcium.
Why Is Tortellini Good for You?
Is tortellini healthy?
Yes. Tortellini is an excellent source of fiber, protein, and key vitamins and minerals. It is low in fat and calories and helps keep you feeling full for longer periods, making it perfect for anyone who wants to maintain a healthy diet or lose weight.
Types of Tortellini
There are plenty of fillings and types of tortellini to choose from. Some of the most popular and delicious varieties add meat or cheese:
Beef Tortellini
Chicken Tortellini
Pesto Tortellini
Spinach Tortellini
Mix Cheese Tortellini
Sausage Tortellini
Shrimp Tortellini
Squidward Tortellini
Lobster Tortellini
Italian Sausage Tortellini
How Many Tortellini in a Cup?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as the number of tortellini in a cup can vary depending on the size and shape of the pasta.
Typically, one cup of uncooked tortellini will contain approximately 2-3 servings of tortellini once cooked. However, it is always best to check the Instant Pot Tortellini amount on the packaging.
What Is Cheese Tortellini?
Cheese tortellini is a type of stuffed pasta that is filled with cheese or other savory fillings. It is popular in many different types of Italian and Mediterranean cuisine and can be served with a variety of different sauces and toppings.
Cheesy tortellini can have many different flavor profiles, from mild and creamy to sharp and tangy. Whether it’s ricotta cheese, cream cheese or mozzarella, cheese tortellini is always a crowd favorite!
Tortellini in Brodo vs Tortellini in Sauce
There are many different ways to enjoy tortellini, from tortellini in brodo (or soup) to tortellini in sauce. While both dishes can be delicious and satisfying, there are some key differences between the two that might help inform your decision about which one is right for you.
Tortellini in brodo typically involves cooking the tortellini in soup or broth, often with other ingredients such as fresh vegetables and meat. This results in a light, flavorful dish that is perfect for warm weather or when you are looking for something a bit lighter.
On the other hand, tortellini in sauce tends to be richer and heartier, using heavier ingredients like tomato sauce, cream, or parmesan cheese. This is ideal for colder weather or when you are looking for something more filling and satisfying.
Best Tortellini Sauce
So what sauce goes with tortellini? The best tortellini sauce is a matter of personal taste and will depend on your preferences as well as the other ingredients in the dish. Some popular options include:
Garlic and Butter: A simple yet delicious option that pairs perfectly with creamy cheese tortellini.
Pesto with Italian Seasoning: This fragrant, basil-based sauce is a staple in many Italian dishes and pairs well with any type of tortellini.
Tomato Sauce: Whether you are using store-bought sauce or homemade marinara, tomato sauce is always a classic choice for tortellini.
Alfredo Sauce: Rich and creamy, this decadent sauce is perfect for adding a touch of luxury to your tortellini dish.
Overall, the best tortellini sauce depends on your personal preferences and the other ingredients in the dish. However, these are some great options to get you started!
Can Tortellini Be Eaten Without Sauce?
Yes, tortellini can be eaten without sauce. Many people prefer to eat their tortellini plain or with just a little bit of olive oil or butter. However, if you are looking for something more substantial or want to add some extra flavor and richness to your dish, there are plenty of delicious sauces that you can pair your one pot tortellini with.
How Long to Cook Tortellini?
Tortellini doesn’t take very long to cook in the pressure cooker. Most of the cooking takes place while the Instant Pot is building pressure. Therefore you only need to set the cook time to 2 minutes.
How Long to Cook Frozen Tortellini in Pressure Cooker?
If you’re pressure cooking frozen cheese tortellini instead of fresh tortellini then you’ll need to add an extra 3 minutes to the cooking time. To pressure cook frozen tortellini set your Instant Pot to 5 minutes cook time. If using dried tortellini cook for 10-11 minutes.
How Long Does Tortellini Last in the Fridge?
Cooked tortellini can last in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze tortellini for up to 6 months. To keep your tortellini as fresh as possible, try adding a small amount of olive oil to the tortellini before freezing.
Do You Eat Tortellini Hot or Cold?
There is no one right answer to this question, as different people prefer their tortellini hot or cold. Many people enjoy eating tortellini at room temperature or straight from the fridge, while others may prefer to heat their tortellini in a pot or microwave.
How to Reheat Tortellini?
There are a few different ways to reheat tortellini. You can cook it on the stovetop in a pot or skillet, heat it in the microwave, or simply eat it cold from the fridge. Whichever method you choose will depend on your personal preferences and available time. It’s always best to check for doneness before serving.
Creamy Instant Pot Tortellini Recipe
Instant Pot Tortellini is a fantastic pasta dish for the whole family. It's got everything going for it's full of rich, homemade tomato sauce, tender tortellini, fresh spinach, and grated Parmesan cheese!
This creamy hearty Tortellini Instant Pot recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and is super fast to make
Ingredients
- 1/2 Cup Chicken Stock or chicken broth
- 1/2 Cup Heavy Cream
- 1/2 Red Bell Pepper - Diced
- 1 Large Onion - Diced
- 22 Oz Tortellini or 650g
- 1 Teaspoon Olive Oil
- 1 Teaspoon Crushed Garlic
- 1 Teaspoon Thyme
- 1 Teaspoon Basil
- 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
- 1/4 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
- 1 Cup Chopped Baby Spinach
- 1 Can Chopped Tomatoes - pureed
- 1/4 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
Place the onions, bell pepper, olive oil and fresh garlic and seasonings into the Instant Pot and saute until softened.
Add the Tortellini and chicken stock to your Instant Pot.
Place the canned diced tomatoes into a small bowl and blend using an immersion blender. This will make it into a marinara sauce. Once blended add the sauce to the inner pot.
Close the Instant Pot lid and set the pressure valve to the closed setting. Pressure-cook the Tortellini for 2 minutes on high pressure.
Perform a quick pressure release and remove the Instant pot lid once all the steam has escaped.
Add the cream and baby spinach to your Tortellini stirring with a wooden spoon.
Plate your tortellini and sprinkle with parmesan cheese and fresh herbs. Your Instant Pot tortellini is now ready to serve.
Notes
If you're pressure cooking frozen cheese tortellini instead of fresh tortellini then you'll need to add an extra 3 minutes to the cooking time. To pressure cook frozen tortellini set your Instant Pot to 5 minutes cook time. If using dried tortellini cook for 10-11 minutes.
Tortellini leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator or can be placed into a tightly sealed freezer-safe bag for freezing.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 3 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 904Total Fat: 35gSaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 146mgSodium: 1594mgCarbohydrates: 114gFiber: 6gSugar: 8gProtein: 36g
More Instant Pot Pasta Recipes
Here are some more Instant Pot recipes for your electric pressure cooker:
