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    You Are Here: Home → Main Course → Pasta

    Tortellini alla Panna

    October 1, 2022 | Updated October 11, 2022 by Ryan Leave a Comment

    133 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    close-up of tortellini alla panna on white plate with fork
    overhead shot of tortellini alla panna on white plate
    overhead shot of tortellini with cream on white plate

    This tortellini alla panna or "tortellini with cream" is a rich and comforting pasta dish made with prosciutto and peas. Best of all it can be prepared in under 20 minutes.

    overhead shot of tortellini alla panna on white plate

    If you're craving some delicious comfort food, you can never go wrong with pasta - from penne al baffo to tortellini bolognese to pasta alla zozzona to spicy rigatoni to spaghetti alla Nerano.

    And this tortellini alla panna is the latest and greatest. Anything with cream is better. Add in some crispy prosciutto and bright green peas and you have the perfect dish.

    Why This Recipe Works

    • Simple - as with most traditional Italian dishes, you use a minimal amount of ingredients that generate a ton of flavor.
    • Quick to prepare - you can have this dish from start to the dinner table in under 20 minutes.
    • Flavorful - you get pops of saltiness from the prosciutto and sweet/savory notes from the peas and of course creaminess from the sauce.
    Jump to:
    • Why This Recipe Works
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Ingredient Swaps
    • Step-by-Step Photos
    • FAQs
    • Variations
    • Side Dish Suggestions
    • Equipment
    • Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
    • Other Pasta Recipes
    • Tortellini alla Panna
    overhead shot of ingredients for tortellini alla panna

    Ingredient Notes

    • Tortellini - use cheese tortellini as it works perfectly with the cream sauce. You can really step up your game and make your own, but store-bought is fine.
    • Sauce - this is a pretty traditional cream sauce which consists of butter, cream and Parmesan cheese. You get some added flavor from the shallots.
    • Prosciutto - has just the right amount of salt to enhance the dish. Also adds texture.
    • Peas - adds some brightness and bursts of sweetness to the pasta dish.

    Ingredient Swaps

    While this recipe is pretty perfect, you can mix up the ingredients. Some variations include:

    • It is called tortellini alla panna for a reason, but you can use any pasta you like - from pappardelle to rigatoni to orecchiette to ravioli.
    • Shallots are my go-to here , but sweet, white, yellow or red onions will work as well. They all high slightly different flavors.
    • While prosciutto is traditional for this recipe, you can also use ham or speck.

    Step-by-Step Photos

    Please note full ingredient list and instructions can be found in recipe card below.

    process shots of cooking prosciutto and onions before adding cream to Dutch oven

    Heat the butter in a large pan over medium heat, cooking the shallot and prosciutto.

    Add in the cream, salt and pepper, simmering for another minute.

    process shots of simmering cream before adding tortellini and peas

    Add ½ of the cheese to the sauce, mixing until melted through.

    Stir in the tortellini and peas, tossing a couple of times before adding the remaining cheese. Add some pasta water if needed.

    FAQs

    What is the Difference Between Alfredo Sauce vs Alla Panna Sauce?

    Contrary to what us Americans think of Alfredo sauce, a traditional alfredo sauce comprises just butter and Parmesan cheese. Alla panna adds cream to it.

    How Long Will It Last?

    It will last about 3 days if stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

    Can I Freeze?

    No. Since cream is involved, it doesn't freeze well.

    How Do I Reheat?

    My preferred method is placing the leftover pasta in a skillet with a splash of water. Cook on medium-low until heated through.

    You can also microwave. Place in a microwave-proof bowl with a splash of water and microwave for 1 minute. Stir and microwave for another minute or until heated through.

    Variations

    While I like the dish as is, you can customize this recipe to your preference. Some variations include:

    • Pasta - while tortellini is my go-to, ravioli works too or another pasta like rigatoni.
    • Protein - prosciutto is traditional but you can use other proteins like shrimp, calamari or chicken.
    • Veggies - peas are great, but asparagus, broccoli or peppers would complement the sauce as well.
    • Texture - some toasted breadcrumbs or pine nuts can add great texture and flavor.

    Side Dish Suggestions

    While this recipe is perfect on its own. You can serve with a variety of sides including:

    • Roasted Broccoli
    • Garlic Bread
    • Italian Salad
    • Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts
    • Caprese Salad

    Equipment

    The equipment you use is important to how the tortellini alla panna turns out. What is needed is the following:

    • Skillet/Dutch oven - you want something large enough to cook the sauce.
    • Spoon - you want a good wooden spoon to stir everything together.
    • Cheese grater - I mentioned multiple time but use a cheese block and grate yourself.

    Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

    • Make sure the water you are cooking the pasta in is salted as some of the flavor comes from it.
    • DO NOT overcook the tortellini when boiling. You want it just al dente or slightly under. It continues to cook with the sauce.
    • Use a high fat content cream as it thickens when it cooks so you don't need a roux.
    • Don't use pre-shredded cheese. You want if finely grated so it melts well. Pre-shredded has added ingredients that will just make it clump up.
    • If omitting the prosciutto, add additional salt to the dish.
    close-up of tortellini alla panna on white plate with fork

    Other Pasta Recipes

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      Easy Fettuccine Alfredo
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      Corn Pasta
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      Rigatoni al Forno
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      Almond Pesto Fettuccine

    If you’ve tried this tortellini alla panna recipe or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.

    overhead shot of tortellini alla panna on white plate
    Print Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Tortellini alla Panna

    This tortellini alla panna or "tortellini with cream" is a rich and comforting pasta dish made with prosciutto and peas.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Total Time20 mins
    Course: Pasta
    Cuisine: Italian
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 568kcal
    Author: Ryan Beck

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb tortellini
    • 4 tablespoon unsalted butter
    • 1 medium shallot, chopped
    • 4 oz prosciutto, chopped
    • 1 cups heavy cream
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 ½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
    • 1 ½ cups frozen peas
    • 2 tablespoon fresh Italian parsley, chopped

    Instructions

    • Cook the tortellini according to package directions in salted water. Save ½ cup of pasta water.
    • In a large saucepan, add butter, chopped shallot and prosciutto over medium heat, cooking 3 minutes. Add the cream, salt and pepper and simmer for 1 minute.
    • Add ½ of the Parmesan to the sauce and mix until melted through. Add the cooked tortellini and peas to the sauce. Toss a couple of times and add the remaining Parmesan, tossing to combine. If sauce is dry, add pasta water 2 tablespoon at a time until it is smooth.
    • Sprinkle some chopped Italian parsley and more Parmesan on top. Serve immediately.

    Notes

    • Make sure the water you are cooking the pasta in is salted as some of the flavor comes from it.
    • DO NOT overcook the tortellini when boiling. You want it just al dente or slightly under. It continues to cook with the sauce.
    • Use a high fat content cream as it thickens when it cooks so you don't need a roux.
    • Don't use pre-shredded cheese. You want if finely grated so it melts well. Pre-shredded has added ingredients that will just make it clump up.
    • If omitting the prosciutto, add additional salt to the dish.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 568kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 92mg | Sodium: 879mg | Potassium: 424mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 10g
    Did You Try This Recipe?I love seeing what you make so mention @ChiselandFork or tag #chiselandfork on Instagram and please give a star rating below!
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