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–+ servings

30-Minute Creamy Tortellini Carbonara

A quick and creamy pasta dish featuring cheese tortellini, pancetta, and a rich Parmesan sauce that's perfect for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 500 kcal

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 18 oz cheese tortellini (refrigerated or frozen)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated (plus extra for garnish)
  • 6 oz pancetta or bacon, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
  • black pepper, freshly ground (to taste)
  • salt, to taste
  • 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
  • ¼ cup reserved pasta water (approximate)

Instructions
 

Cooking Tortellini

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the tortellini until al dente according to the package instructions. Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water before draining.

Preparing Egg Mixture

  • In a bowl, whisk together eggs and grated Parmesan until smooth. Season lightly with salt and a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper. Set aside.

Cooking Pancetta

  • In a large skillet over medium heat, cook pancetta or bacon until crisp and golden (about 5–7 minutes). Add minced garlic during the final minute if using. Remove the pan from heat.

Combining Ingredients

  • Immediately add the drained tortellini to the pan with pancetta and toss to coat in the rendered fat.
  • Pour in the egg and cheese mixture, stirring constantly. The residual heat will cook the eggs into a creamy sauce.
  • If the sauce is too thick, gradually stir in reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until silky and smooth.
  • Finish with more black pepper, Parmesan, and parsley. Serve immediately.

Notes

Use fresh tortellini for the best flavor and texture, but frozen tortellini works great too. Be careful not to let the egg mixture sit too long after adding it to the hot pasta, or it might scramble. Adjust the amount of black pepper according to your taste preference for spice. For added flavor, try adding peas or spinach to the dish when mixing with tortellini.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 500kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 25gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 600mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2g
Keyword Creamy Tortellini Carbonara, Delicious, Pasta, Quick Dinner, Weeknight Meal
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