Marry Me Tortellini: The Creamiest, Dreamiest Recipe

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Get ready to fall head over heels for this incredible Marry Me Tortellini recipe. It’s a dish so decadent, so flavorful, and so surprisingly easy to make, it just might inspire a proposal! We’re talking about tender cheese tortellini swimming in a luxurious, creamy sun-dried tomato sauce with a hint of garlic and herbs. This is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for a romantic dinner, a special occasion, or just a Tuesday night when you’re craving something spectacular. In less than 30 minutes, you can have a restaurant-quality meal on the table that will have everyone asking for the recipe.

This one-pan wonder combines simple, high-quality ingredients to create a symphony of flavor. It’s rich, satisfying, and an absolute showstopper. Let’s dive in and make the best tortellini dish you’ve ever had.

A spoonful of Marry Me Tortellini being lifted from a skillet, showcasing the melted parmesan and creamy texture of the dish.
Ready for the best bite of your life?

Why You’ll Fall in Love With This Marry Me Tortellini Recipe


If you’re looking for a recipe that’s guaranteed to impress, you’ve found it. This Marry Me Tortellini isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience. But beyond its incredible taste, here’s why it will become a staple in your kitchen.

  • Quick & Easy: This entire dish comes together in one pan in under 30 minutes. It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you want something special without the fuss.
  • Restaurant-Quality Flavor: The sauce is the star of the show. It’s a rich, creamy, and tangy blend of sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, cream, and Parmesan that tastes like it came from a high-end Italian restaurant.
  • Simple Ingredients: You only need a handful of easy-to-find ingredients to create this masterpiece. No complicated techniques or obscure items are required.
  • Incredibly Versatile: This recipe is a fantastic base. You can easily add protein like chicken or sausage, toss in extra veggies, or adjust the spice to your liking. We share some great ideas in our variations section below!

What Is “Marry Me” Sauce?

“Marry Me” sauce is a modern culinary phenomenon, famous for being so delicious it could inspire a marriage proposal. Its signature is a rich, creamy sun-dried tomato sauce. The magic comes from the combination of heavy cream, savory chicken broth, and finely grated Parmesan cheese, which creates a velvety texture. Minced garlic, Italian herbs, and a touch of red pepper flakes provide a robust flavor profile, while the oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes offer a sweet and tangy intensity that cuts through the richness. It’s the perfect companion for pasta, chicken, and of course, tortellini.

A close-up shot of creamy sun-dried tomato tortellini on a fork, showing the rich texture of the sauce and wilted spinach.
Just look at that creamy, dreamy sauce!

The Key Ingredients for Perfect Marry Me Tortellini

The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity. Here’s what you’ll need to create this dreamy meal. For exact measurements, please see the recipe card below.

For the Sauce

  • Butter & Olive Oil: Using both gives the sauce a rich flavor base and prevents the butter from browning too quickly.
  • Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is essential for the best flavor.
  • Chicken Broth: This thins the sauce to the perfect consistency and adds a layer of savory depth.
  • Heavy Cream: The key to the ultra-creamy, luxurious texture.
  • Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Use the kind packed in oil for the most intense, sweet, and tangy flavor. Finely chop them so they incorporate beautifully into the sauce.
  • Italian Seasoning: A blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme that complements the other flavors perfectly.
  • Red Pepper Flakes: For a gentle kick of heat. Adjust the amount to your preference.

For the Pasta

  • Refrigerated Cheese Tortellini: Fresh tortellini cooks quickly and has a wonderful, tender texture. You can use frozen, but you’ll need to adjust the cooking time.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and has a much better flavor than the pre-shredded kind.
  • Fresh Spinach: A few handfuls of fresh spinach add color, nutrients, and a fresh flavor that balances the richness of the sauce.
  • Fresh Basil: For garnish, adding a final touch of fresh, aromatic flavor.

How to Make Marry Me Tortellini: A Step-by-Step Guide

Making this dish is incredibly simple. Just follow these easy steps, and you’ll have a stunning meal in no time.

  1. Sauté the Aromatics: Start by melting the butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
  2. Build the Sauce: Whisk in the chicken broth, heavy cream, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 4-5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
  3. Cook the Tortellini: Add the fresh tortellini directly to the simmering sauce. Stir gently to coat, then cover the skillet and let the pasta cook for about 5-7 minutes, or according to the package directions, until tender.
  4. Finish the Dish: Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until it has completely melted into the sauce. Add the fresh spinach and stir until it has just wilted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Serve and Enjoy: Garnish with fresh basil and serve immediately. Prepare for rave reviews!

Pro Tip: Don’t be shy with the Parmesan! Using a quality, freshly grated block of Parmigiano-Reggiano will make a world of difference in the flavor and texture of your sauce.

Delicious Variations to Try

While this Marry Me Tortellini is perfect as is, it’s also a fantastic canvas for your culinary creativity. Here are a few ideas to switch things up:

  • Add Protein: Sautéed chicken breast, spicy Italian sausage, or even shrimp would be excellent additions. For a similar vibe, check out our Creamy Garlic Chicken and Rice recipe.
  • More Veggies: Feel free to add sautéed mushrooms, roasted red peppers, or steamed asparagus for extra flavor and nutrients.
  • Make it Spicy: If you love heat, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a dash of your favorite hot sauce.
  • Different Pasta: While we love tortellini, this sauce is also incredible with gnocchi, ravioli, or a short pasta like penne or rigatoni. Our Tomato Garlic Pasta offers another great sauce base to explore.

What to Serve with Your Tortellini

This dish is wonderfully rich and satisfying on its own, but a simple side can complete the meal.

  • Crusty Bread: A must-have for sopping up every last drop of that incredible sauce. Garlic bread or a simple baguette works perfectly.
  • A Simple Salad: A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the creamy pasta.
  • Roasted Vegetables: Roasted broccoli or asparagus tossed with a little olive oil and salt is a simple and delicious side.

Storing and Reheating Instructions

This dish is best enjoyed fresh, as cream sauces can sometimes separate when reheated. However, leftovers are still delicious!

To Store: Place any leftover tortellini in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

To Reheat: Gently reheat on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce and restore its creamy texture. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the tortellini tough.

For another fantastic comfort food dish, you might love our Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole.

Marry Me sauce is a rich and creamy sauce typically made from heavy cream, chicken broth, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes. It’s seasoned with Italian herbs and a touch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.


Absolutely! To add chicken, sauté bite-sized pieces until cooked through before you start the sauce. For sausage, remove the casings, cook it through while breaking it up, drain the fat, and then proceed with the sauce.


This dish is very rich, so it pairs wonderfully with simple sides. We recommend a fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette, steamed or roasted vegetables like broccoli or asparagus, and of course, some crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.


Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the tortellini in a pan over low heat. Add a splash of milk or cream to help loosen the sauce and bring back its creamy consistency.


Yes, you can use frozen tortellini. You don’t need to thaw it first, but you will need to increase the cooking time in the sauce by a few minutes. Cook until the tortellini is heated through and tender.


The Only Marry Me Tortellini Recipe You’ll Ever Need

This Marry Me Tortellini truly lives up to its name. It’s a dish that’s simple enough for a weeknight but elegant enough for a special celebration. The combination of creamy sauce, tangy tomatoes, and cheesy pasta is pure perfection. We hope you love it as much as we do! If you make this recipe, we’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment below and share your creations with us on Pinterest!

An overhead shot of a skillet filled with creamy Marry Me Tortellini, garnished with fresh basil. The perfect easy and romantic dinner recipe.
This Marry Me Tortellini is the ultimate comfort food!

A close-up shot of creamy sun-dried tomato tortellini on a fork, showing the rich texture of the sauce and wilted spinach.
FL Recipes

Marry Me Tortellini: The Creamiest, Dreamiest Recipe

This Marry Me Tortellini recipe features tender cheese tortellini in a luxurious, creamy sun-dried tomato sauce. A decadent, restaurant-quality meal that's ready in under 30 minutes and is guaranteed to impress everyone at the dinner table.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian-American
Calories: 780

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 tbsp Butter Unsalted
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 4 cloves Garlic Minced
  • 1 cup Chicken Broth Low sodium
  • 1.5 cups Heavy Cream
  • 1/2 cup Sun-Dried Tomatoes Packed in oil, drained and finely chopped
  • 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
  • 1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes Or more, to taste
  • 20 oz Refrigerated Cheese Tortellini
  • 3/4 cup Parmesan Cheese Freshly grated, plus more for serving
  • 2 cups Fresh Spinach Packed
  • Salt and Black Pepper To taste
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Basil Chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 Large Skillet or Dutch Oven
  • 1 Whisk

Method
 

  1. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter and olive oil. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30-60 seconds.
  2. Whisk in the chicken broth, heavy cream, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce begins to thicken.
  3. Add the refrigerated tortellini directly into the skillet with the sauce. Stir gently to coat. Cover and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the tortellini is tender and cooked through.
  4. Reduce heat to low. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until smooth and melted. Add the fresh spinach and stir until it wilts, about 1-2 minutes.
  5. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan cheese before serving hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 780kcalProtein: 28gFat: 55gFiber: 4g

Notes

Pro Tip: Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best results. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce gritty.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of cream or milk to restore the sauce's texture.
Keyword creamy tortellini,marry me tortellini,sun dried tomato pasta

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