Description
This Garlic Butter Beef and Spinach Tortellini is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring cheese-filled tortellini, savory beef, and a rich garlic butter sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy dinner, this recipe comes together in under 30 minutes for a satisfying meal the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 32 ounces chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch (or substitute with flour)
- 1 (16-ounce) package frozen cheese tortellini
- 4 tablespoons butter (salted for extra flavor)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (for garnish)
- Fresh basil chiffonade (for garnish, optional)
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Tortellini
- In a large pot, bring 2 ½ cups of broth to a boil over medium heat.
- Add the frozen cheese tortellini, stirring occasionally.
- Cook until the tortellini float to the surface (about 3-4 minutes).
- Drain the tortellini and set aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Garlic Butter Sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 ½ cups of broth with 2 tablespoons cornstarch until fully dissolved.
- In a non-stick skillet, melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat until foamy.
- Add minced garlic and dried basil, stirring constantly for about 2 minutes until fragrant.
Step 3: Cook the Beef and Spinach
- In the same skillet, add ground beef and cook until browned.
- Drain excess grease and add chopped spinach to the pan.
- Stir for 1-2 minutes until the spinach wilts.
Step 4: Combine Everything
- Pour the broth-cornstarch mixture into the skillet with the beef and spinach.
- Bring to a gentle boil, stirring continuously, until the sauce thickens (about 2 minutes).
- Add the cooked tortellini to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly.
Step 5: Serve & Garnish
- Transfer the tortellini to a serving dish.
- Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Tortellini: Fresh or dried tortellini can be used with adjusted cooking times. Fresh tortellini cooks in 2-3 minutes, while dried takes 10-11 minutes.
- Broth: If using low-sodium broth, adjust seasoning accordingly.
- Cornstarch Substitute: Flour can be used, but you may need to cook the sauce for a few extra minutes to achieve the right consistency.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat on the stovetop with a splash of broth for best texture
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg