Best Creamy Garlic Butter Sauce for Tortellini

If you’re looking for a quick, indulgent, restaurant-style meal that’s easy to prepare at home, this creamy garlic butter sauce for tortellini is exactly what you need.

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With a rich and velvety texture, this sauce elevates any tortellini dish into something truly special. Whether you’re using fresh or frozen tortellini, this recipe will become one of your go-to favorites for busy weeknights or cozy weekend dinners.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This garlic butter sauce is the perfect balance of creaminess and robust flavor. The browned butter adds a subtle nuttiness, while the Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning lend a savory depth that pairs beautifully with the tender tortellini. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile—use it with classic cheese-filled tortellini or experiment with pumpkin, spinach, or meat-filled varieties to suit your taste.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make this creamy garlic butter sauce, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and forms the base of the sauce.
• Garlic: Eight cloves add bold flavor and aroma.
• Olive Oil: Prevents the butter from burning when browning.
• Heavy Cream: Ensures a thick and luscious texture.
• Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated for optimal flavor and meltability.
• Italian Seasoning & Onion Powder: Enhance the sauce with herbs and subtle sweetness.
• Salt & Black Pepper: Balance and bring out the flavors.
• Fresh Parsley: Adds a pop of color and freshness.
• Tortellini: Use about 18 ounces of your favorite variety.

Equipment You’ll Need

To make this recipe, you’ll need a pepper mill for freshly ground black pepper and a fine grater for shredding Parmesan cheese. A heavy-bottomed skillet is ideal for preparing the sauce.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare Your Seasoning Mix
   In a small bowl, combine Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Set this aside—it’s your flavor-packed seasoning blend that will bring the sauce to life.
2. Cook Your Tortellini
   Begin boiling salted water in a large pot. Cook your tortellini according to the package instructions, then drain once it’s perfectly tender.
3. Brown the Butter and Garlic
   Crush the garlic cloves with the flat side of your knife and transfer them to a skillet along with the butter. Melt the butter over medium heat, swirling it around for even coloring. Once it starts to turn golden brown and smells nutty, add olive oil to prevent burning.
4. Create the Sauce
   Stir in the heavy cream, seasoning mix, and Parmesan cheese. Cook gently until the cheese melts completely, stirring continuously to ensure a smooth texture. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed.
5. Combine Tortellini with Sauce
   Add the cooked tortellini to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the creamy garlic butter sauce.
6. Serve and Enjoy
   Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately for maximum flavor.

Pro Tips for Success

• Browning Butter: While browning butter adds depth to the sauce, it’s not strictly necessary. If you prefer, you can simply melt the butter without browning it. However, keep in mind that little details like this can elevate a dish from good to gourmet.
• Freshly Grated Cheese: Shred Parmesan yourself from a block rather than using pre-grated cheese—it melts better and has superior flavor.
• Cheese Alternatives: If you don’t have Parmesan on hand, try pecorino or romano as substitutes. These salty, crumbly cheeses offer similar flavors but vary slightly in depth.
• Tortellini Options: Experiment with different tortellini fillings like spinach, pumpkin, or meat for variety.
• Thinner Sauce Fix: If you prefer using half-and-half instead of heavy cream, the sauce may turn out thinner. To thicken it, mix 1 tablespoon of flour with water and stir it into the sauce.

Why This Recipe Works

This creamy garlic butter sauce is all about balance—richness from butter and cream, savory notes from Parmesan cheese and seasoning, and freshness from parsley. The tortellini acts as the perfect vessel to soak up all these flavors, creating a dish that’s indulgent yet simple to prepare.

Nutrition Information

Each serving of this recipe contains approximately 536 calories, making it a satisfying meal that’s perfect for treating yourself or impressing guests. The dish is packed with protein (24g), thanks to the cheese and tortellini filling, alongside healthy fats (37g) from butter and olive oil. It’s indulgent but worth every bite!

Final Thoughts

This creamy garlic butter sauce for tortellini is proof that simple ingredients can create extraordinary flavors when combined thoughtfully. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or guests, this dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Pair it with a crisp green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal that feels like dining out at your favorite Italian restaurant—without leaving your kitchen.

Give this recipe a try tonight and savor every creamy bite!

Best Creamy Garlic Butter Sauce for Tortellini

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This creamy garlic butter sauce for tortellini is quick, rich, and perfect for weeknight dinners or impressive date nights. Made with garlic, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning, it turns tortellini into a restaurant-worthy dish.

• Author: Yasmin Bernat
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings
• Category: Dinner, Pasta
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 8 garlic cloves
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream (35–36% fat)
• 2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 3/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 18 ounces (500 grams) tortellini

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Instructions

1. In a small bowl, mix Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Set aside.

2. Boil salted water for tortellini and cook according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

3. Crush garlic cloves and add to a skillet with the butter over medium heat.

4. Swirl the butter as it melts. Once slightly brown and nutty-smelling, add olive oil to prevent burning.

5. Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan, and the seasoning blend. Cook until cheese melts, stirring constantly.

6. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

7. Add cooked tortellini and toss to coat evenly.

8. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot.

Notes

• Browning the butter adds depth, but it’s optional—melted butter works just fine.

• Grating your own Parmesan from a block gives better texture and flavor.

• Substitute with pecorino or romano if needed.

• Use any tortellini filling—cheese, spinach, meat, or pumpkin all work.

• If using half-and-half instead of cream, thicken with a tablespoon of flour mixed in water if needed.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 portion
• Calories: 536
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 851mg
• Fat: 37g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Carbohydrates: 51g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 24g
• Cholesterol: 73mg