If you’re looking for a rich, flavorful pasta dish, Bacon Cream Cheese Tortellini is a must-try. This recipe brings together the crispy, savory taste of bacon, the smooth richness of cream cheese, and the delightful texture of tortellini for a dish that will have everyone asking for more. Whether you’re planning a weeknight meal or preparing something special for guests, this indulgent recipe will make any dinner feel like a celebration. In this article, we will walk you through each step to create this delicious dish in the comfort of your home.

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What You Need for Bacon Cream Cheese Tortellini

Before we jump into cooking, it’s important to gather all the necessary ingredients. The beauty of this recipe is that it’s easy to make with common ingredients, many of which you probably already have in your kitchen. Here’s everything you’ll need:

Essential Ingredients

• Tortellini: 1 package (approximately 20 oz) of cheese-filled tortellini (fresh or frozen)
• Bacon: 6-8 strips of bacon, chopped into small pieces
• Cream Cheese: 8 oz, softened to room temperature
• Heavy Cream: 1 cup for that luscious, creamy texture
• Parmesan Cheese: ½ cup, freshly grated
• Garlic: 2 cloves, minced for that extra depth of flavor
• Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon, for frying the bacon
• Salt and Pepper: To taste for seasoning
• Fresh Parsley: Chopped, for garnish (optional)

Optional Ingredients

• Spinach: A handful of fresh spinach can be added for some greens.
• Red Pepper Flakes: A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a nice touch of heat.
• Mushrooms: Sautéed mushrooms can complement the flavors wonderfully.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Making Bacon Cream Cheese Tortellini

Now that you have your ingredients ready, let’s get cooking! Here’s how to prepare this mouthwatering pasta dish.

Step 1: Cook the Tortellini

Start by boiling a pot of salted water. Once the water is boiling, add the tortellini and cook them according to the package instructions. Fresh tortellini usually takes around 3-5 minutes to cook, while frozen tortellini may take a little longer. The tortellini will float to the surface when they’re done. Drain them and set them aside. Be careful not to overcook the tortellini, as they can become mushy.

Step 2: Cook the Bacon

In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the bacon becomes crispy and golden. Stir occasionally to prevent burning. Once the bacon is perfectly crispy, use a slotted spoon to transfer it onto a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.

Step 3: Prepare the Cream Cheese Sauce

In the same skillet where you cooked the bacon, you’ll find some leftover bacon grease. This will add extra flavor to the sauce. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 1 minute, just until the garlic is fragrant. Next, add the softened cream cheese, heavy cream, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir everything together until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Let it simmer for a few minutes to thicken up. If the sauce feels too thick, you can thin it out with a little bit of pasta water or more cream, depending on your preference. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 4: Combine the Tortellini and Bacon

Once your sauce is creamy and smooth, add the cooked tortellini to the skillet. Gently toss the tortellini in the sauce, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Sprinkle the crispy bacon over the top and stir gently to combine. If you’ve chosen to include spinach or mushrooms, toss them in at this point. Once everything is combined, garnish with fresh chopped parsley for a burst of color and flavor.

Tips for the Best Bacon Cream Cheese Tortellini

Want to make sure your Bacon Cream Cheese Tortellini comes out perfect? Here are a few helpful tips:

Choose the Right Tortellini

While cheese tortellini is the classic choice for this recipe, you can mix it up by using different fillings like spinach or meat tortellini. Just make sure the filling pairs well with the creamy sauce for the best results on Bacon Cream Cheese Tortellini.

Prevent a Watery Sauce

To avoid a runny sauce, it’s essential to cook the cream cheese thoroughly. Let it soften before adding it to the skillet, and make sure it melts into the cream completely. If your sauce starts to separate or becomes too watery, add a little extra Parmesan cheese or a small amount of cornstarch to help thicken it.

Make it Extra Cheesy

If you’re a cheese lover, feel free to add more cheese to the sauce. Shredded mozzarella or extra Parmesan can enhance the creaminess and flavor of the dish.

Check it out and show us your Bacon Cream Cheese Tortellini!

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Bacon Cream Cheese Tortellini

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Ingredients

  

• Tortellini: 1 package approximately 20 oz of cheese-filled tortellini (fresh or frozen)
• Bacon: 6-8 strips of bacon chopped into small pieces
• Cream Cheese: 8 oz softened to room temperature
• Heavy Cream: 1 cup for that luscious creamy texture
• Parmesan Cheese: ½ cup freshly grated
• Garlic: 2 cloves minced for that extra depth of flavor
• Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon for frying the bacon
• Salt and Pepper: To taste for seasoning
• Fresh Parsley: Chopped for garnish (optional)
• Optional Ingredients
• Spinach: A handful of fresh spinach can be added for some greens.
• Red Pepper Flakes: A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a nice touch of heat.
• Mushrooms: Sautéed mushrooms can complement the flavors wonderfully.

Instructions

 

• Step 1: Cook the Tortellini
• Start by boiling a pot of salted water. Once the water is boiling, add the tortellini and cook them according to the package instructions. Fresh tortellini usually takes around 3-5 minutes to cook, while frozen tortellini may take a little longer. The tortellini will float to the surface when they’re done. Drain them and set them aside. Be careful not to overcook the tortellini, as they can become mushy.
• Step 2: Cook the Bacon
• In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the bacon becomes crispy and golden. Stir occasionally to prevent burning. Once the bacon is perfectly crispy, use a slotted spoon to transfer it onto a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.
• Step 3: Prepare the Cream Cheese Sauce
• In the same skillet where you cooked the bacon, you’ll find some leftover bacon grease. This will add extra flavor to the sauce. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 1 minute, just until the garlic is fragrant. Next, add the softened cream cheese, heavy cream, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir everything together until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Let it simmer for a few minutes to thicken up. If the sauce feels too thick, you can thin it out with a little bit of pasta water or more cream, depending on your preference. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Step 4: Combine the Tortellini and Bacon
• Once your sauce is creamy and smooth, add the cooked tortellini to the skillet. Gently toss the tortellini in the sauce, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Sprinkle the crispy bacon over the top and stir gently to combine. If you’ve chosen to include spinach or mushrooms, toss them in at this point. Once everything is combined, garnish with fresh chopped parsley for a burst of color and flavor.

Notes

If you’re a cheese lover, feel free to add more cheese to the sauce. Shredded mozzarella or extra Parmesan can enhance the creaminess and flavor of the dish.