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Cozy Brown Butter Bacon Tortellini: Easy 20-Minute Dinner

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This cozy brown butter bacon tortellini is a quick and easy 20-minute dinner that combines nutty browned butter, crispy bacon, and tender cheese-filled pasta for a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 9 oz (250g) cheese tortellini
  • 4 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh sage leaves (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper, freshly cracked
  • ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the tortellini and cook according to package directions, usually about 3-4 minutes for fresh tortellini. Drain well, but reserve about ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While the pasta cooks, place a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon pieces and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is crispy and the fat has rendered. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Leave the bacon fat in the pan.
  3. Add the butter to the same skillet with the bacon fat. Swirl the pan gently as the butter melts. After about 2-3 minutes, the butter will start to foam and turn a light golden color. Watch closely—when you see tiny brown specks forming at the bottom and smell a nutty, toasty aroma, you’re there.
  4. Toss in the sliced garlic and sage leaves (if using). Cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant. The garlic should be lightly golden, not brown. If it starts to darken too fast, remove the pan from the heat immediately.
  5. Add the drained tortellini directly to the skillet with the brown butter. Toss gently to coat every piece. If the mixture seems dry, add a splash of that reserved pasta water—about 2 tablespoons at a time—until the sauce coats the pasta nicely.
  6. Remove the pan from the heat. Add the crispy bacon back in, along with the grated Parmesan cheese and black pepper. Toss everything together until the cheese melts and creates a silky sauce.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add red pepper flakes if you want some heat. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

Watch the butter like a hawk—it can go from perfect to burnt in seconds. Don’t skip the pasta water; it helps create a silky sauce. Use room-temperature tortellini for best results. Always remove the pan from the heat before adding Parmesan to prevent clumping.

Nutrition

Keywords: brown butter, bacon, tortellini, easy dinner, 20-minute meal, comfort food, pasta

Find it online: https://emacrave.com/cozy-brown-butter-bacon-tortellini-easy-20-minute-dinner/