Tortellini with Saffron Cream and Pancetta | Tried and True Recipes (2024)

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by Kylie PerrottiPosted on July 23, 2020November 11, 2021

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This tortellini with saffron cream and pancetta is one of the most beautiful meals I’ve ever made. The golden, creamy sauce works perfectly with tortellini.

We added peas and parsley at the end of cooking for a bit of a brighter flavor to offset the richness of the saffron cream.

You’re going to to love this tortellini with saffron cream and pancetta. It combines all the best flavors in the world. Rich, salty, with a touch of the subtle aroma of saffron. Combine that with the richness of tortellini, and that’s a winning dinner!

How to Make Tortellini with Saffron Cream and Pancetta:

Making this recipe is a cinch!

First, you’ll fry the pancetta. Make sure you render out all that delicious salty fat. Leave the rendered fat in the skillet –it’s the base for your sauce!

Next, you’ll cook up your aromatics and then add your sauce base. The sauce base is tomatoes, white wine, and chicken stock.

Finally, cook your tortellini! To the simmering sauce, you’ll add heavy cream, saffron, peas, and parsley. All you have to do is cook it until the peas are bright green.

I serve it up by dividing the tortellini between shallow bowls. I love ladling the beautiful golden broth over the tortellini. The final garnish is that delicious, crispy pancetta. What an incredible meal!

Are you feeling hungry yet? I am. This recipe is one of my all time favorites. The combination of creamy, salty, and slightly acidic is unbelievably delicious. Add the soft saffron flavors and you’ll be in heaven after you eat this tortellini with saffron cream!

Looking for more pasta recipes? Check my archives!

If you made this recipe, please rate the recipe below. Leave a comment to tell me how you liked it! If you take a picture of it, please tag me on Instagram so I can feature you in my feed.

Tortellini with Saffron Cream and Pancetta | Tried and True Recipes (1)

This tortellini with saffron cream and pancetta is one of the most beautiful meals I’ve ever made. The golden, creamy sauce works perfectly with tortellini.

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Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

7.43

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces fresh tortellini
  • 5 ounces pancetta diced
  • 2 teaspoons oil if needed
  • 2 shallots peeled and minced
  • 6 cloves garlic peeled and minced
  • 10 ounces San Marzano tomatoes halved
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper plus more to taste, if desired
  • ½ cup white wine or stock
  • 3-4 cups chicken stock more if needed
  • 1 pinch saffron threads
  • ½ cup heavy cream plus more to taste
  • 8 ounces fresh green peas or frozen
  • ½ cup freshly minced parsley divided

Instructions

Fry the Pancetta:

  • In a wide pot, add the diced pancetta and turn the heat to medium. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes until the pancetta is browned and crispy and the fat has rendered. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the pancetta to a paper towel lined plate.

Cook the Aromatics:

  • If the pot seems too dry, add 1-2 teaspoons of the oil. Turn the heat to medium and add the shallot. Cook, stirring regularly, for 4-5 minutes until the shallot begins to soften. Add the garlic and cook for 45 seconds.

Prepare the Broth:

  • Add the tomatoes and season everything with salt, pepper, and the crushed red pepper. Cook for 2 minutes more.

  • Pour in the white wine and scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Taste and season with salt, pepper, and more crushed red pepper to taste. Add the saffron threads and stir to incorporate them. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Boil the Tortellini:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the tortellini according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Finish the Saffron Cream Broth:

  • Add the heavy cream, peas, and half the parsley to the broth and bring to a very low boil. If you’d like a brothy dish, add more chicken stock now. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until the peas are bright green and tender, but not overcooked. Taste and season again to your preferences. Turn off the heat.

To Serve:

  • Divide the cooked tortellini between bowls and ladle the saffron cream broth on top. Garnish with the crispy pancetta and the remaining minced parsley. Enjoy!

Tried this recipe?Mention @triedandtruerecipes or tag #triedandtruerecipes so I can feature you in my feed!

Tortellini with Saffron Cream and Pancetta | Tried and True Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to serve tortellini? ›

These stuffed pasta shapes are delicious in a soup or served with vegetables, cheese and sauce. Need more speedy midweek suppers to make in a flash?

How do you know when tortellini are cooked? ›

When they float and hang out at the top of your pot! **Tip** This fresh cheese tortellini is cooked in the. boiling water used to blanch fresh asparagus for. added flavor!

How to make tortellini in advance? ›

The tortellinis can be made and cooked in advance – just refresh in iced water after cooking and store on a tray with a little olive oil. To reheat, drop back into boiling water for a couple of minutes and serve.

Is tortellini a pasta dish? ›

Tortellini is a ring shaped stuffed pasta that is typically filled with meat, cheese or vegetables. Tortelloni is a larger version of Tortellini. It is a traditional pasta in the Bologna region of Italy and is often served in broth. In Italy, it is traditional to serve tortellini this way on Christmas Eve.

What is traditionally served with tortellini? ›

Traditionally, tortellini are served in classic beef and vegetable broth. The cooked meat can be served as a second course with salsa verde and mostarda mantovana, an Italian condiment made with candied fruit cooked in a mustard-flavored syrup.

Do you have to boil tortellini before cooking? ›

The best part about this baked tortellini casserole is that you don't have to boil the pasta before you bake it! The moisture from the sauce and spinach is going to provide the perfect environment to cook the tortellini perfectly al dente! That's what makes this baked tortellini perfect for an easy dinner.

Can I cook tortellini in pasta sauce instead of water? ›

Cooking pasta in the sauce instead of in boiling water will increase the amount of time it takes to cook through. It's a good technique to use if you want to delay serving your pasta for a few minutes. Make sure to keep the sauce thinned out with pasta water as the pasta finishes cooking if you use this method.

Should I rinse tortellini after cooking? ›

No, in almost every case, you should not rinse pasta after it's cooked. It's true that rinsing noodles or pasta after cooking halts the cooking process. “This is also known as shocking,” Tiess says. But rinsing also removes the starch water after the noodles are strained, which is what helps adhere sauce to noodles.

Can you eat packaged tortellini raw? ›

As with any uncooked food, there is a chance of cross contamination; the cheese can have listeria, the pork or beef e. Coli, the raw egg could have Salmonella. You take your chances eating it raw.

Why is my tortellini floating immediately? ›

Stuffed pasta will float during boiling due to the air inside them expanding.

Can I eat tortellini cold? ›

Yes! Eating tortellini cold is one of my favorite ways to enjoy it.

Can you reheat tortellini the next day? ›

How to Reheat Filled Tortellini. To reheat tortellini filled with cheese or cheese and spinach, bring a large pot of water to a boil and then use a metal strainer to submerge the tortellini in the boiling water. Cook for approximately 30 seconds or until warmed all the way through.

Do Italians eat tortellini with sauce? ›

In Italy, meat tortellini are traditionally served in broth, but they are enjoyed with other toppings, too: cheese sauce, cream sauce, pesto or tomato sauce. There are also cheese versions of tortellini. Tortellini are also eaten for dessert!

What is a fun fact about tortellini? ›

Tortellini is a type of pasta that is typically stuffed with a mix of meat or cheese. According to legend, tortellini was inspired by the navel of the goddess Venus. Many people believe that adding oil to the cooking water prevents pasta from sticking together.

What is the difference between tortellini and tortellini? ›

Tortelloni is pasta in a similar shape, but larger, typically 5 g, vs. 2 g for tortellini. While tortellini have a meat-based filling, tortelloni are filled with ricotta and sometimes with parsley or spinach.

How is tortellini served in Italy? ›

In Italy, meat tortellini are traditionally served in broth, but they are enjoyed with other toppings, too: cheese sauce, cream sauce, pesto or tomato sauce. There are also cheese versions of tortellini. Tortellini are also eaten for dessert!

How is tortellini eaten? ›

tortellini, a ring-shaped Italian pasta stuffed with cheese or meat that is most traditionally served in broth (en brodo), though other sauces—including those made from tomato, mushroom, or meat—are also popular.

Do you eat tortellini by itself? ›

Once your tortellini is cooked, savour by itself, toss with a fresh sauce, or use it in a delicious recipe. If you prefer chicken, shrimp or vegetables, tortellini are perfect for an elevated yet simple meal that the entire family will enjoy.

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