Looking for a soul-warming dinner that feels like a hug in a bowl? This Marry Me Tortellini recipe is your next weeknight savior. Inspired by the viral “Marry Me Chicken,” this vegetarian twist combines rich sun-dried tomatoes, tender cheese tortellini, fresh spinach, and a velvety cream sauce that’s so good, it might just spark a proposal. Ready in 20 minutes, this dish is perfect for busy nights when you crave something cozy, creamy, and totally irresistible.
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Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Recipe
This Marry Me Tortellini recipe isn’t just quick—it’s packed with bold, indulgent flavors that make it taste like it simmered all day. Perfect for vegetarians and meat-lovers alike, this creamy tortellini dish brings together pantry staples in one pot, making clean-up a breeze. It’s versatile, crowd-pleasing, and loaded with comfort food charm.
Whether you’re cooking for date night or feeding a hungry family, this recipe guarantees smiles all around.
What You’ll Need for Creamy Bliss
- Olive Oil: Creates the rich base and carries all the flavors
- Garlic Cloves: Adds pungent depth and aromatics
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes in Oil: Brings sweet, tangy umami with a luxurious texture
- Italian Seasoning: Infuses the sauce with herbal notes of rosemary, thyme, and oregano
- Red Pepper Flakes: A gentle kick that enhances flavor without overpowering
- Flour: Thickens the sauce for that creamy, luscious texture
- Vegetable Broth: Adds body and depth without meat
- Fresh Cheese Tortellini: Soft, pillowy pasta stuffed with creamy cheese
- Heavy Cream: The secret to velvety richness
- Fresh Spinach: Adds freshness and a nutritional boost
- Parmigiano: Salty, nutty sharpness to balance the creaminess
Ingredient Swaps for Flexibility
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Use roasted cherry tomatoes or tomato paste if needed
- Garlic: Swap for shallots or yellow onion for a milder bite
- Italian Seasoning: Mix your own with thyme, basil, oregano, rosemary, and garlic powder
- Vegetable Broth: Chicken or turkey broth work beautifully for non-vegetarians
- Heavy Cream: Sub with half-and-half, coconut cream, or vegan alternatives
- Fresh Spinach: Use frozen spinach (thawed and drained) or swap for kale
- Parmigiano: Grana Padano, Pecorino, or even nutritional yeast for a vegan option
Step-by-Step: How to Make Marry Me Tortellini
- Sauté Aromatics
In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic, sun-dried tomatoes with their oil, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 3–4 minutes, until garlic is soft and fragrant. - Make a Roux
Sprinkle flour over the tomato mixture and stir continuously for about 3 minutes. This step thickens the sauce and removes the raw flour taste. - Add Broth and Simmer
Slowly pour in the vegetable broth, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil and let it simmer for 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened. - Cook the Tortellini
Add the fresh tortellini and a pinch of salt. Stir and let cook gently until tortellini are al dente (usually 3–5 minutes depending on package instructions). - Finish with Creamy Goodness
Turn off the heat. Stir in heavy cream, grated Parmigiano, and fresh spinach. Mix until the spinach wilts and the cheese melts into the sauce. - Season to Taste
Add salt and black pepper as needed. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash more broth or cream. For an extra creamy version, stir in 4 oz of cream cheese.
Tips & Tricks for a Perfect Result
- Don’t skip the sun-dried tomato oil — it’s packed with flavor and enhances the sauce.
- Undercook tortellini slightly if you plan to let the dish rest before serving.
- Adjust sauce consistency with broth, cream, or milk as needed.
- Add cream cheese for extra richness that holds up well at potlucks or for leftovers.
- Storing Leftovers: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of broth or cream to revive the sauce.
What to Serve with Marry Me Tortellini
Pair this indulgent pasta with something fresh, crunchy, or light to round out the meal:
- Kale and Butternut Squash Salad
A perfect earthy contrast to the creamy pasta. - Pepperoni Pizza Hawaiian Sliders
A fun, bold appetizer that matches the richness of the main dish. - Garlic Bread or Focaccia
Perfect for soaking up every last bit of that delicious sauce. - 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies or Pumpkin Muffins
A simple, sweet finish to a decadent meal.
Perfect for Every Season and Occasion
Marry Me Tortellini fits every dinner situation:
- Valentine’s Day or Anniversary Dinners
Elegant enough to impress, easy enough not to stress. - Holiday Buffets
Add cream cheese to stabilize the sauce for serving later. - Meatless Mondays
Satisfying and protein-rich without the need for meat. - Quick Weeknight Dinners
On the table in 20 minutes with pantry-friendly ingredients.
This recipe is also a great canvas for seasonal ingredients—add sautéed mushrooms in fall, swap in peas in spring, or top with fresh basil in summer.
Conclusion
Marry Me Tortellini is the kind of recipe that turns ordinary weeknights into something memorable. With its creamy sun-dried tomato sauce, cheesy tortellini, and a touch of spinach for balance, this dish checks all the boxes for comfort, speed, and flavor. Whether you’re feeding a crowd, wooing a loved one, or just treating yourself to a hearty meal, this one-pot pasta proves that the way to anyone’s heart truly is through their stomach. Save this recipe, make it your own with the suggested variations, and prepare to fall in love with your new go-to pasta dish.
FAQs About Marry Me Tortellini
What makes Marry Me Tortellini different from regular tortellini recipes?
Marry Me Tortellini stands out because of its rich and romantic flavor profile, inspired by the viral Marry Me Chicken. The combination of garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, Parmigiano, and fresh spinach creates a luxurious sauce that elevates the dish far beyond your average tortellini dinner. It’s creamy, savory, slightly tangy, and full of depth.
Can I make Marry Me Tortellini ahead of time?
Yes, you can make this dish ahead of time, but it’s best served fresh. If preparing in advance, slightly undercook the tortellini so it doesn’t become mushy when reheated. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm on the stovetop with a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce.
Is Marry Me Tortellini freezer-friendly?
While you can freeze Marry Me Tortellini, the creamy sauce may separate upon thawing. If you do choose to freeze it, let the dish cool completely, store it in an airtight container, and reheat slowly on the stove. For better texture, consider freezing the components (sauce and tortellini) separately and combining them fresh.
More Relevant Recipes
- Fettuccine Alfredo – Creamy & Easy: This luxurious pasta dish features a rich, buttery Alfredo sauce made with cream and cheese—perfect for lovers of creamy pasta like Marry Me Tortellini. It’s simple, satisfying, and ideal for weeknight indulgence.
- Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta: Spice things up with this creamy and bold pasta loaded with Cajun-seasoned shrimp. The rich, velvety sauce and quick-cooking pasta make it a flavorful cousin to Marry Me Tortellini.
- Creamy Garlic Pasta: If you love the garlicky base of Marry Me Tortellini, this ultra-creamy garlic pasta is a must-try. It brings together pantry staples in a luscious, one-pot recipe that’s both simple and comforting.
Marry Me Tortellini
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Marry Me Tortellini is a creamy one-pot vegetarian pasta recipe inspired by the viral Marry Me Chicken. It features cheese-filled tortellini tossed in a luscious sun-dried tomato, garlic, and parmesan cream sauce with fresh spinach. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s the perfect comforting meal for weeknights or special occasions.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil: Provides the rich base for sautéing
- 6 Garlic Cloves, minced: Adds aromatic depth and flavor
- 1/2 cup Sun-Dried Tomatoes in oil: Infuses tangy, umami-rich taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning: Enhances the sauce with herbal notes
- 1 pinch Red Pepper Flakes: Adds subtle heat and depth
- 2 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour: Thickens the sauce into a creamy consistency
- 2 cups Vegetable Broth: Forms the base of the sauce
- 20 oz Fresh Cheese Tortellini: The hearty, cheesy pasta component
- 1/2 cup Heavy Cream: Adds rich, velvety texture to the sauce
- 2 cups Fresh Spinach: Contributes freshness and nutrients
- 1 cup Parmigiano, grated: Adds sharp, nutty flavor
- Salt and Pepper to taste: Final seasoning for balance
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic, sun-dried tomatoes with their oil, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until garlic is soft and fragrant.
- Sprinkle flour into the mixture and cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly, to form a roux and eliminate raw flour taste.
- Slowly pour in vegetable broth while stirring. Bring to a boil and let it simmer for 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add cheese tortellini and a pinch of salt. Stir and cook until tortellini is just tender, about 3–5 minutes.
- Turn off the heat. Stir in heavy cream, grated Parmigiano, and fresh spinach until the spinach wilts and the sauce is creamy.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add a splash of broth or cream if the sauce is too thick.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- For an extra creamy sauce, stir in 4 oz cream cheese after adding the heavy cream.
- Use sun-dried tomatoes in oil for the best flavor impact.
- If reheating leftovers, add a splash of cream or broth to maintain sauce consistency.
- To make ahead, slightly undercook the tortellini to prevent overcooking when reheated.
- You can substitute spinach with kale or arugula if preferred.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 760mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 70mg