Cheese Tortellini Carbonara
Cheese filled tortellini, covered in creamy parmesan sauce, flavored with bacon and garlic–it’s a classic knockoff I call Cheese Tortellini Carbonara!
Extra bacon. Extra Cheese. Because.
I still remember the first time I had pasta carbonara—it was in grad school. Many years ago. The dish was so tasty, I vowed to make it again. Soon.
Okay, I guess I missed out on that soon part.
Tortellini Carbonara
It was our family vacation last month that finally pushed me into making it, with a slight change to Cheese Tortellini Carbonara. We had rented a timeshare in beautiful Captiva, FL and brought down three kids and a boyfriend. It was pretty near a dream vacation. Except how to make food that would please everyone?
Toasting random strangers on the beach–always fun!
Creamy pasta is always a crowd pleaser and my youngest would be happy eating mac ‘n cheese three times a day. I just needed an adult version. With flavor that would knock your socks off. Food bloggers tend to raise kids with… expectations.
So I decided to try the carbonara. And I went with cheese tortellini instead of the traditional spaghetti. ‘Cause there’s no such thing as too much cheese!
Easy too!
This dish cooks up fast so it’s a near perfect vacation entree. I added salad and garlic bread for a meal that was a hands-down favorite!
I wish I’d taken pictures of the dinner in Florida—just to convey the fun we had. But it was no problem getting later pictures. ‘Cause this Cheese Tortellini Carbonara is a keeper!
Mmm!
- • 20 ounces cheese tortellini (2 10-ounce packages)
- • 8 ounces bacon, cut in half
- • 6 garlic cloves, chopped finely
- • 3 eggs
- • 5 ounces grated parmesan cheese
- • Salt, Black pepper
- • Couple tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
- Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Pour tortellini into the pot and cook according to package directions, using lower end number if there is a range. Reserve 1 cup water for sauce and discard the rest. If the sauce isn’t ready when done (mine was), drizzle the pasta with a little oil to prevent sticking and set aside.
- While pasta water is heating, cut bacon strips in half and cook in a large frying pan. Cook bacon until crisp. Move bacon to platter and set aside. Discard all but 3 Tablespoons of bacon fat (see note).
- Add garlic to the saute pan and cook for a minute or two, until starting to turn light gold. Remove from heat, then add cooked pasta and mix together well.
- Beat together eggs and cheese. Mix into the pasta pan, then set back on the stove, and cook until sauce is thickened. Add reserved pasta water as needed.
- Stir reserved bacon back in and season with black pepper and salt to taste.
- Top with chopped parsley. Serve with additional grated cheese if desired
- Note: can drain bacon grease and replace with 3 T olive oil for a healthier alternative
Pasta Recipes
- Cheese Tortellini Carbonara by Art of Natural Living
- Chicken and Bacon Ragu by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Chicken Club Pasta by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Dandan Noodles by That Recipe
- Instant Pot Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta by Daily Dish Recipes
- One-Pot Chicken Feta Alfredo by Cheese Curd In Paradise
- Pasta Skillet by Family Around the Table
- Taco Stuffed Shells by A Day in the Life on the Farm
We share Recipes From Our Dinner Table! Join our group and share your recipes, too! While you’re at it, join our Pinterest board, too!
A perfect weeknight dinner. Sounds amazing.
Thanks Wendy!
Love carbonara and how fun to put the tortellini in it!
Completely agree!
When we are overseas we tend to buy filled pasta all the time. I shall save this recipe for next time we travel 🙂
From one traveler to another!
I am not sure which line made me laugh more – food bloggers have kids with “expectations” or “there is no such thing as too much cheese” True and True!
This looks delicious with the bacon and creamy sauce.
Thanks Audrey–it’s always a good day when someone laughs at your jokes!
I am loving this simple and easy dish…and absolutely love the creamy…in everything. Thanks for sharing the recipe and happy to know that you had a great family vacation.
Enjoy the rest of your week Inger!
Thanks Juliana!
I hope no one was counting calories this night! Looks fabulous.
Actually not as high calorie as I would have thought. Until you eat two portions I guess 😉
I love carbonara and this looks like a great way to mix up a taditional pasta dish! I can’t wait to try this!
Carbonara is one of my favorite pasta recipes. It’s so creamy and easy. I haven’t tried it with tortellini. Adding this one to the must try list.