Description
Craving a cozy, satisfying dish that comes together fast but tastes like you’ve been cooking all day? This Savory Garlic Butter Beef and Spinach Tortellini is your answer. With rich garlic butter, hearty beef, fresh spinach, and tender cheese tortellini, it delivers a mouthwatering experience in every bite. Perfect for those looking for easy dinner recipes, quick comfort food, or flavorful weeknight meal ideas, this dish is a one-skillet wonder that balances richness with freshness. If you’re browsing for dinner ideas, quick pasta recipes, or a family-friendly easy recipe, this is the one to bookmark.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound lean ground beef
Salt and black pepper to taste
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
9 oz fresh or refrigerated cheese tortellini
2 cups fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 cup reserved pasta water
Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook tortellini according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain and reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned, breaking it into crumbles. Drain excess grease.
3. Lower the heat to medium and add minced garlic to the beef. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the butter and red pepper flakes.
4. Add the cooked tortellini and Italian seasoning to the skillet. Stir gently. Add chopped spinach and let it wilt.
5. Stir in halved cherry tomatoes and reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce.
6. Sprinkle in Parmesan cheese, fold everything together, and adjust seasoning. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Use lean ground beef to keep the dish rich but not greasy.
Add the spinach toward the end to maintain color and nutrients.
Don’t skip the pasta water—it’s key for a silky, flavorful sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg