This recipe is really all about the alfredo sauce. Forget the prepared jars of sauce at the store... it's just as easy to make a good alfredo sauce from scratch. Heavy cream is simmered until it reduces and thickens a bit - which is the secret here. Once reduced, the remaining ingredients of pasta, vegetables, some reserved pasta water, Parmesan cheese, pepper and nutmeg are added. You can pair it with any pasta and/or vegetable of your choice because in my book, alfredo sauce makes things taste better. In this case, I tossed the alfredo sauce with store bought spinach and cheese tortellini, peas and some ham.
Tortellini Alfredo
recipe adapted from Cook's Illustrated
recipe adapted from Cook's Illustrated
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
9 ounces fresh tortellini (homemade or storebought)
1 1/2 ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated (about 3/4 cup)
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 cup frozen peas, slightly thawed
1/4 cup chopped cooked ham
Bring 1 cup of the heavy cream and the butter to a simmer in a 3- to 4-quart saucepan over medium heat, reduce the heat to low and simmer gently until the mixture reduces to 2/3 cup, 12 to 15 minutes. Off the heat, stir in the remaining 1/2 cup cream, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper.
While the cream reduces, bring 4 1/2 quarts water to a rolling boil, covered, in a large stockpot or Dutch oven. Using a ladle or heatproof measuring cup, scoop about 1/2 cup boiling water into each serving bowl set the bowls aside to warm. Add 1 tablespoon salt and the pasta to the pot of boiling water, cook the pasta until just shy of al dente.
Meanwhile, return the cream mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat, reduce the heat to low and add the pasta, Parmesan, nutmeg, peas and ham to the cream mixture. Cook over low heat, tossing the pasta with tongs to combine, until the cheese is melted, the sauce coats the pasta, and the pasta is just al dente, 1 to 2 minutes. Working quickly, empty the serving bowls of the water, divide the pasta among the bowls, tossing the pasta to coat well with sauce. Serve immediately
What a great idea using ham instead of bacon or panchetta!
ReplyDeleteThis looks so good! I think I'll try it out for Friday night (that's pasta night in our house)!
ReplyDeleteThis is something so interesting! I would love to try this one. Really looks good!
ReplyDeleteThat looks so good! Congrats on Top 9!!!
ReplyDeleteYUM! And congrats on the Top 9. Love your blog :) New Follower
ReplyDeleteI love these Tortellini!!! And congrats on top 9!
ReplyDeleteThanks for giving me a recipe to use tonight. Leftover ham in the freezer from Thanksgiving will be perfect!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great looking dish! yum!!
ReplyDeleteI've made alfredo sauce from scratch many, many times.. but I REALLY like this recipe! I tried it a week ago and loved it. I'm making it again tonight! :)
ReplyDeleteThe two things that made it better were: a.) the longer simmering time for the sauce, which allows it to thicken up quite nicely; and b.) the NUTMEG. I never would have considered nutmeg, but it adds the perfect touch.
Thanks so much for this recipe, and best of luck to you and your restaurant! :)
this look so yummy. I will have to try it. thanks for the idea!
ReplyDeletekathryn
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how many people can this feed...?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous - this serves 4 to 6 as a first course.
ReplyDeleteMade this last night...pure comfort food! We have a new family favorite!
ReplyDeleteWhat do I do with the 1/4 cup of water I've reserved?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous - Thank you! I realized that I didn't use the reserved water so I updated the recipe to reflect that. The sauce was enough to coat the pasta and the additional water wasn't necessary. Thanks for asking!
ReplyDeleteOooh, yum, this looks so delicious! I adore tortellini but I usually put it in soup...this is a great new way to make it! :)
ReplyDeleteWhere can you buy this cheese
ReplyDeleteAnonymous - you can get Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese in the deli or specialty cheese section of most supermarkets. Hope this helps!
ReplyDeleteThat's such a great recipe indeed.lovely dish.Nice recipe.
ReplyDeleteTortellini recipes
Great recipe! I used chicken instead of the ham & whole wheat tortellini.
ReplyDeleteThis looks so delicious. But I will make it low calorie to not feel guilty. 😊🌹💗
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