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Creamy Spinach Tortellini

Featured in Perfect Pasta Dishes.

This familiar pasta dish features cheesy tortellini smothered in creamy sauce with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, and sweet onions for a satisfying plant-based meal.

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Updated on Tue, 15 Apr 2025 20:54:15 GMT
Tortellini in cream sauce with mushrooms and spinach served in a bowl. Pin it
Tortellini in cream sauce with mushrooms and spinach served in a bowl. | cuisinegenial.com

Velvety Spinach Mushroom Tortellini with Sweetened Onions

I whipped up this snug pasta creation when I craved something different but was short on time. The blend of those sugary sweetened onions with rich mushrooms and soft tortellini swimming in that smooth sauce is just like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket. Whenever I cook this, wonderful smells take over my kitchen and everyone wants more.

What Makes This Dish Special

This meal has turned into my favorite when I want something that seems sophisticated without the fuss:

  • It's totally filling with no meat needed though I sometimes throw in chicken when I want some protein
  • Most stuff is already in your kitchen it's that straightforward
  • Great for hectic nights especially if you cook those onions beforehand
  • Goes well with any pasta in your pantry I've tried everything from tortellini to basic penne

What You Need for Velvety Spinach Mushroom Tortellini

  • Tortellini: Whatever type you fancy I'm partial to the ones stuffed with cheese.
  • Spinach: Buy fresh baby spinach as it dissolves wonderfully into the sauce.
  • Mushrooms: Pick what you like best they all add their own magic.
  • Onions: Spending time to sweeten them really transforms the dish.
  • Heavy Cream: This gives our sauce that smooth luxurious feel.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Brings that wonderful salty kick.
  • Butter and Olive Oil: These two work together for knockout taste.

How To Make It

Sweeten the Onions
First melt butter and oil together in a big pan over low-medium heat. Drop in your sliced onions and cook them slowly giving them a stir now and then until they turn deep gold about 25-30 minutes. They should end up sweet and sticky like jam.
Brown the Mushrooms
Using the same pan turn up the heat to medium-high. Put your mushrooms in just one layer don't stack them. Let them sit untouched until golden on the bottom around 5 minutes then flip them over. Keep cooking until they're nicely browned and dry.
Boil the Tortellini
Get a big pot of salty water boiling hard. Toss in your tortellini and cook only until they pop up to the top about 3-4 minutes. Drain them properly but hang onto a cup of that cooking water for later.
Create the Sauce
Turn down to medium heat. Add your heavy cream and let it bubble gently for 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese and stir until it's all melted. Toss in fresh spinach and watch it shrink into the sauce in about 2 minutes. Add splashes of pasta water if you want it thinner.
Mix Everything Together
Put your cooked tortellini sweetened onions and mushrooms into the sauce. Mix everything gently until it's all coated and hot throughout taking about 2-3 minutes. Try it and add salt and pepper if needed.
Dish Up Right Away
Scoop into warm bowls immediately. Sprinkle some extra fresh Parmesan on top plus some black pepper and maybe fresh herbs if you want. Eat straight away while the sauce is still perfectly smooth.

Kitchen Secrets

  • Do Ahead: Those onions stay good in the fridge for several days cook extra.
  • Switch It Up: Try this with any pasta shape you love.
  • Warm Up Smart: Use low heat and add a bit of cream to keep it smooth.
  • No Gluten Version: Simply use your go-to gluten-free pasta instead.
A creamy pasta dish featuring tortellini, sautéed mushrooms, and fresh spinach, garnished with black pepper. Pin it
A creamy pasta dish featuring tortellini, sautéed mushrooms, and fresh spinach, garnished with black pepper. | cuisinegenial.com

Mix It Up

  • Try With Meat: I often throw in some grilled chicken or shrimp and it's fantastic.
  • Plant-Based Switch: Coconut milk works amazingly well for creaminess.
  • More Vegetables: Any veggies hanging in your fridge will work great with this sauce.
  • Melty Cheese Top: Running it under the broiler for a minute makes it extra fancy.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I prepare this earlier?

Cook and store the onions in your fridge up to 72 hours before serving.

→ What kinds of mushrooms should I use?

Take your pick! Cremini, shiitake, button, portobello, or oyster mushrooms all work beautifully.

→ Are there alternatives to the cream?

You can swap cream with coconut milk or half-and-half mixed with parmesan for a similar rich texture.

→ How do I add some protein?

Try topping it with seafood, steak, grilled chicken, or pork for extra heartiness.

→ Is there a gluten-free option?

Sure! Replace tortellini with gluten-free pasta, including ravioli, gnocchi, or smaller pasta shapes.

Tortellini with Spinach

Cheese tortellini meets mushrooms, spinach, and caramelized onions in a luscious cream sauce. A vegetarian favorite!

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time
50 Minutes
By: Ferdaous

Category: Pasta

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian

Yield: 4 Servings (1)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 8 oz fresh spinach leaves.
02 1 cup heavy whipping cream.
03 8 oz of mushrooms, sliced.
04 9 oz of cheese-filled tortellini pasta.
05 2 big yellow onions.
06 1/4 teaspoon black pepper for seasoning.
07 3 tablespoons olive oil, split up.
08 A pinch plus 1/4 teaspoon salt.

Instructions

Step 01

Carefully slice the onions, then warm 2 tablespoons of oil in a wide skillet on medium-high heat.

Step 02

Let the onions cook over high heat for about 10 minutes. Stir the whole time so they don't burn.

Step 03

Turn the heat to medium and cook the onions for another 10 minutes, keeping them moving now and then.

Step 04

Toss in a little bit of salt and cook the onions over medium-low for 10 more minutes until they turn rich and golden brown.

Step 05

Move the caramelized onions out of the skillet and place them somewhere safe for later.

Step 06

Pour in the last tablespoon of oil, toss in the mushrooms, and sprinkle lightly with salt.

Step 07

Stir the mushrooms every so often as they cook for about 5 minutes until they're tender.

Step 08

Toss in fresh spinach and give it a quick stir until it just starts to soften.

Step 09

Put the caramelized onions back into the pan with the spinach and mushrooms.

Step 10

Gently add the cream and a 1/4 teaspoon of salt into the pan. Let it just boil, then lower to a simmer.

Step 11

At the same time, boil the tortellini as it says on the package until it's perfectly cooked.

Step 12

Drain the pasta and carefully stir it into the cream sauce in the pan.

Step 13

Let everything simmer for a couple of minutes until the sauce is just a little thicker.

Step 14

Sprinkle in some black pepper and serve the dish while it's still warm.

Step 15

Top with extra black pepper if you feel like it.

Notes

  1. Vegetarian option.
  2. Parts can be done ahead of time.
  3. Rich and creamy sauce.
  4. Looks like it came from a fancy restaurant.

Tools You'll Need

  • Wide skillet.
  • Large pot for boiling pasta.
  • A colander for draining.
  • Sharp cutting knife.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (cream and cheese in pasta).
  • Wheat present in the tortellini.
  • Includes eggs (pasta dough).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 544
  • Total Fat: 38 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 38 g
  • Protein: 14 g