Marry Me Tortellini
And now it’s time for one of my favorite recipes from the past few years! I saw so many versions of this trending on TikTok, and it sounded like such a winner that I just knew I had to put my own spin on it. When I was testing this out in my kitchen, my family couldn’t stop raving about just how deliciously creamy and flavor packed it is. Plus, it’s easier than you might think so it’s ideal for a weeknight meal!
It all comes together in one pan with a creamy, sun-dried tomato sauce that feels super luxurious. Garlic, Italian seasoning, and broth simmer together before tortellini is added right into the sauce, then everything is finished with cream, Parmesan, and a handful of spinach. The result is rich and cozy without being heavy, saucy, comforting, and exactly the kind of dinner that you’re going to come back to again and again.
You’ll also love my stuffed pepper pasta bake, baked feta tomato pasta, and tortellini pesto pasta salad!
Ingredients
As always, there’s a printable recipe card at the bottom of this post! It covers ingredients, measurements, and instructions, and you can print it off at home to keep in your recipe folder for the next time you want to make this dish. I recommend that you don’t skip the next sections though, where I’m sharing more tips and details.
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Olive oil — Starts the sauce and keeps the garlic from scorching.
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Garlic, minced — Adds that rich, savory base flavor right from the start.
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All-purpose flour — Helps thicken the sauce so it clings to the tortellini.
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Italian seasoning — Brings classic, familiar flavor without overcomplicating things.
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Sun-dried tomatoes, drained — The signature ingredient that adds sweetness, tang, and depth.
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Chicken broth — Creates the base of the sauce and keeps it from feeling too heavy.
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Salt — Seasons the sauce; adjust at the end to taste.
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Freshly cracked black pepper — Adds gentle warmth and balance.
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Cheese tortellini — Makes the dish extra hearty and keeps it weeknight-friendly.
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Heavy whipping cream — Gives the sauce its creamy, silky texture.
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Freshly grated Parmesan cheese — Melts smoothly and adds rich, savory flavor.
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Fresh spinach — Wilts quickly and adds a pop of color and freshness.
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Crushed red pepper flakes (optional) — Adds a little heat if you like a spicy finish.
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Fresh parsley or basil (optional) — A simple garnish that brightens everything up right before serving.
How To Make Marry Me Tortellini
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Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 30–60 seconds.
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Stir in the flour and Italian seasoning and cook for about 1 minute, until the flour is fully incorporated.
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Add the sun-dried tomatoes, chicken broth, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine, then bring everything to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat.
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Add the tortellini and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Cook for another 2 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
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Add the spinach and cook just until wilted, about 1 minute.
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Garnish with red pepper flakes, chopped parsley, and extra Parmesan if you like. Serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
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Stir the garlic constantly while it cooks so it turns fragrant without burning.
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Let the flour fully incorporate and lightly cook before adding the broth and sun-dried tomatoes. This helps keep the sauce smooth and lump-free.
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Refrigerated cheese tortellini is my go-to, but frozen works just fine if that’s what you have.
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Freshly grated Parmesan melts much more smoothly than pre-shredded, so it’s worth grabbing a block and a grater if you can.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce as needed.
I don’t recommend freezing this recipe, since cream-based sauces don’t hold up well once thawed.
Variations
Add cooked shrimp or chicken if you want to turn it into a more filling, protein-packed meal.
Swap the cheese tortellini for chicken, mushroom, or ricotta and spinach tortellini.
Use kale in place of spinach for a heartier green that holds up a little more.
Serving Ideas
Serve this marry me tortellini with garlic bread, focaccia, or breadsticks for soaking up every bit of that creamy sauce.
Pair it with a simple salad like mixed greens, Caesar, or caprese to balance out the richness.
Add a side of roasted veggies such as broccoli, asparagus, or green beans to round out the meal.
Marry Me Tortellini
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ cup julienned sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil drained
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon salt plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper plus more to taste
- 1 20-ounce package cheese tortellini
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated, plus more for serving
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional for garnish
- Fresh chopped parsley or basil optional for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 30–60 seconds.
- Stir in the flour and Italian seasoning and cook for about 1 minute, until the flour is fully incorporated.
- Add the sun-dried tomatoes, chicken broth, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine, then bring everything to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat.
- Add the tortellini and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Cook for another 2 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
- Add the spinach and cook just until wilted, about 1 minute.
- Garnish with red pepper flakes, chopped parsley, and extra Parmesan if you like. Serve immediately.
This marry me tortellini is a recipes that earns its reputation! It’s comforting, a little indulgent, and surprisingly easy to pull off, which makes it perfect for both weeknights and when you want something that feels a little more special. Whether you’re cooking for someone else or just treating yourself, this is the kind of dinner that’s worth keeping in regular rotation. Have you tried it? Let me know what you think! You can leave a comment below and tag me on Instagram @slimmingviolet.
