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20+ EASY Tortellini Sauces (The BEST Tortellini Sauce Recipes)

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Posted by:

Erin Lynch

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Updated:

February 28, 2025

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5 from 1 vote

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Collage of tortellini sauces with text overlay - best sauces for tortellini

Wondering what the best sauces for tortellini are? There are so many great options! From pesto sauces, to creamy sauces, tomato sauces and more! Here are some of the BEST tortellini sauce recipes to try tonight! These simple sauce recipes are perfect for busy weeknights! Buon appetito!

Collage of tortellini sauces with text overlay - best sauces for tortellini

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Having tortellini for dinner tonight? Let’s sauce things up!

Whether you’re making homemade tortellini, of simply boiling some store-bought tortellini, these sauces will be the perfect complement to your dish.

Plus, these recipes are quick, easy and made with simple ingredients! Meaning you can skip the store-bought sauce and whip up one of these pasta sauces instead.

Simply pick one of your favorite tortellini sauces from the list below, add a couple tortellini side dishes, and you’re guaranteed an amazing dinner!

PS – Don’t forget about the best wine with pasta options too.

Looking for a quick answer? Here’s my favorite tortellini pairings:

  • Best Sauce for Cheese Tortellini = Tortellini Cream Sauce
  • Best Sauce for Beef Tortellini = Marinara Sauce

đŸ¥£ The BEST Sauces for Tortellini

Note: Many of these sauces are photographed with pasta. But they’re equally as delicious served with tortellini.

Overhead shot of creamy tortellini in bowl topped with burrata cheese.
Burrata Tortellini with Creamy Tomato Sauce
You won’t believe how easy it is to make this indulgent and delicious Burrata Tortellini with Cream Tomato Sauce! A marinara and garlicky cream sauce are tossed with cheese tortellini in one pan and topped with burrata. It’s the ultimate comfort food!
Tortellini Cream Sauce
Bowl of tortellini in broth with spoon.
Tortellini en Brodo
Serve your tortellini "en Brodo" (in boiled chicken stock). This is an incredibly simple yet super satisfying appetizer made by simmering cheese-filled tortellini in rich chicken broth. The recipe puts a semi-homemade spin on a traditional Italian soup.
Tortellini en Brodo
Pesto cream sauce in small white bowl topped with sprig of basil.
Pesto Cream Sauce
Rich and herbaceous Pesto Cream Sauce in just 10 minutes! Make it with homemade or store-bought pesto for a quick and easy Italian-inspired dinner.
Pesto Cream Sauce
Brown Butter Pumpkin Tortellini Alla Vodka.
Brown Butter Pumpkin Alla Vodka Tortellini…that deliciously cozy bowl of pasta we’re all craving most with a fun fall twist!
Get the RECIPE from Half Baked Harvest
Side view of parmesan cream sauce in serving bowl.
Parmesan Cream Sauce
This 15-minute Parmesan Cream Sauce is the ultimate condiment for cheese lovers. Parmesan cheese, garlic, and heavy cream are swirled together in a skillet to give you a silky smooth and decadent sauce for pasta, chicken, and more.
Parmesan Cream Sauce
One Pan Tortellini with Sausage
One Pan Tortellini with Sausage
This tortellini with sausage recipe is a quick, easy, flavorful, and comforting dinner that’s made all in one pan! Fewer dishes means more time to relax.
Get the RECIPE from Salt and Lavender
easy tortellini in white wine cream sauce – whisked away kitchen
Delicious tortellini are covered in a mouthwatering white wine cream sauce and loaded with fresh spinach to create this cozy meal!
Get the RECIPE from Whiskey Away Kitchen
Bacon Cream Cheese Tortellini
This bacon cream cheese tortellini recipe has crispy bacon, cheesy tortellini, and a deliciously tangy cream sauce. It makes a fab main course or side dish.
Get the RECIPE from Salt and Lavender
Basil Arugula pesto in small white bowl with spoon.
Arugula Pesto
Arugula Pesto has peppery kick from the arugula and is flavored with parmesan, garlic, lemon zest and pine nuts. It's delicious with cheese filled tortellini!
Arugula Pesto
Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Tortellini.
Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Tortellini…making tortellini even better with a rich and creamy roasted red pepper sauce + fresh burrata cheese!
Get the RECIPE from Half Baked Harvest
Side view of red wine pasta sauce pasta.
Red Wine Pasta Sauce
Add a touch of elegance to your weeknight dinners with this quick and easy Red Wine Pasta Sauce. With deep layers of flavor and simple ingredients, it’s one of the best ways to use leftover red wine and is versatile enough for spaghetti, lasagna, stuffed shells, and more!
Red Wine Pasta Sauce
Creamy Bacon Tortellini with Charred Broccoli.
Creamy Bacon Tortellini with Charred Broccoli.
Creamy Bacon Tortellini with Charred Broccoli: a one-skillet, one-pot, under 30-minute dinner…cozy winter flavors that melt in your mouth!
Get the RECIPE from Half Baked Harvest
Tortellini in Creamy RosĂ© Sauce – The Powdered Apron
Three cheese tortellini tossed in a creamy tomato rosé sauce and topped with grated parmesan and basil. Saucy, cheesy, and so creamy!
Get the RECIPE from The Powdered Apron
Chicken Tortellini Alfredo
This chicken tortellini Alfredo recipe is a hearty, cheesy, and comforting weeknight meal! It’s easy to make and ready in about 25 minutes.
Get the RECIPE from Salt and Lavender
Best Easy Broccoli Cheese Tortellini with Fried Lemon.
Best Easy Broccoli Cheese Tortellini – Super fast, one pan, full of amazing flavor and spring vibes…what more could you ask for!
Get the RECIPE from Half Baked Harvest
Baked Tortellini
This cheesy baked tortellini recipe is a hassle-free weeknight dinner! It’s so easy to throw together with everyday ingredients, and the whole family will enjoy it.
Get the RECIPE from Salt and Lavender
Tortellini with Spicy Brown-Butter Tomato Sauce | Tried and True Recipes
This tortellini with spicy brown-butter tomato sauce is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner but indulgent enough for a romantic Saturday evening!
Get the RECIPE from Tried and True Recipes
Creamy Tomato Tortellini
This easy tomato tortellini recipe is ready in under half an hour for a delicious meal that will be a hit even with picky eaters. Making tomato sauce for pasta from scratch is a game changer!
Get the RECIPE from Salt and Lavender
Tortelloni with Creamy Tomato Sauce and Spinach
Easy and delicious tomato cream sauce for your stuffed pasta like tortelloni or tortellini in a matter of minutes.
Get the RECIPE from Vikalinka
Creamy Tortellini with Spinach and Mushrooms (One Pan!)
Creamy tortellini with spinach and mushrooms is a super easy and delicious meatless one pan meal! Total comfort food… ready in about 30 minutes!
Get the RECIPE from Salt and Lavender
Cheese Tortellini with Garlic White Wine Sauce
This easy cheese tortellini with garlic white wine sauce is ready to go in literally 20 minutes! Refrigerated, store bought tortellini and a simple white wine cream sauce make this a simple vegetarian weeknight meal that your family will love!
Get the RECIPE from Midwest Foodie Blog
Cheese Tortellini in Meat Sauce
This recipe for cheese tortellini in meat sauce is tender cheese filled pasta tossed in a homemade bolognese style sauce.
Get the RECIPE from Dinner at the Zoo
Cheese Tortellini with Butter, Mushrooms, and Crispy Sage
This easy sage butter pasta recipe transforms grocery store tortellini! Butter, mushrooms, crispy sage, and fresh parmesan take cheese tortellini from boring to gourmet.
Get the RECIPE from Salt and Lavender
Cheese Tortellini with Quick Tomato Sauce
Cheese tortellini is a quick pasta dish with a homemade garlic tomato sauce. This easy recipe can be served as a side or main dish!
Get the RECIPE from Spend With Pennies
Bacon Ranch Tortellini
This bacon ranch tortellini recipe is a decadent yet simple meal that elevates store-bought tortellini! The ranch sauce is creamy and paired with crispy bacon for a comfort food treat.
Get the RECIPE from Salt and Lavender
Sauce with spoon in skillet.
Fra Diavolo Sauce
Diavolo Sauce is an easy and spicy marinara sauce made with flavor-forward ingredients, like tomatoes, garlic, white wine, and red pepper flakes.
Diavolo Sauce

Tortellini FAQs

Do you boil tortellini before adding sauce?

Yes, you should cook tortellini in salted, boiling water, for 3-4 minutes, or according to the package instructions. You’ll know when they are ready when they float to the top. Then, drain the tortellini and toss them with your favorite sauce.

How do you get sauce to stick to tortellini?

Drain your cooked pasta well, then add them to the warm sauce. Let the tortellini sit in the sauce for a couple minutes to allow them to absorb the flavors and soak in the sauce a bit.

What type of sauce goes with tortellini?

There are so many delicious sauce options for tortellini. Pesto, creamy sauces, tomato sauce, pink sauce, and more!

What do you serve with tortellini?

Garlic bread, arugula salad, caesar salad, sauteed spinach, asparagus. Or check out these 30+ best side dishes.

How to Cook Tortellini

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Add the tortellini and cook until they begin to float (meaning they are done). It should take about 3-4 minutes for fresh tortellini. Frozen tortellini may take a couple minutes longer. Scoop them out with a slotted spoon or drain in a colander.
  • Toss with one of the amazing sauces below!

How to Make Ahead and Store

Many of these easy tortellini sauce recipes can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead. 

More Sauce Recipes

  • Sauces for Gnocchi
  • Sauces for Linguine
  • Sauces for Egg Noodles
  • Sauces for Meatballs
  • Sauces for Salmon
  • Sauces for Pulled Pork
  • Sauces for Pork Chops
  • Sauces for Beef
  • Sauces for Fish
  • Sauces for Steak
  • Sauces for Sushi
  • Sauces for Tacos

Did you Make Any of These Tortellini Sauces?

Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of tortellini recipes. Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

HUNGRY FOR MORE? For more great Platings & Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on Pinterest, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

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Overhead shot of creamy tortellini in bowl topped with burrata cheese.

Full Recipe

20+ Sauces for Tortellini (EASY Tortellini Sauce Recipes)

Wondering what the best sauces for tortellini are? There are so many great options! Try this Tortellini in Cream Sauce! A marinara and garlicky cream sauce are tossed with cheese tortellini in one pan and topped with burrata. It’s the ultimate comfort food!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin
Serves 4 people
Created by Platings and Pairings
Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Cook Time: 10 minutes mins
Total Time: 20 minutes mins

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Large Skillet
  • Knife

Ingredients

  • 1 24-ounce jar marinara sauce (or 3 cups homemade marinara sauce)
  • 20 ounces cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil (roughly chopped, plus more for serving)
  • 1 clove garlic (grated or finely minced)
  • Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 8 ounces burrata cheese (at room temperature)

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add tortellini and cook according to package directions.
  • Meanwhile, add the marinara sauce to a large skillet and bring to a simmer. Stir in the heavy cream, basil, garlic and red pepper flakes and keep warm over low heat.
  • Once the tortellini have finished cooking, drain and add to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to combine.
  • Divide the tortellini between plates and top with burrata and fresh basil. Enjoy!

Notes

Tips and variations:
  • Set the burrata on the counter as you make this recipe. Room temperature burrata will melt quickly on top of the tortellini, making each bite deliciously cheesy and stretchy.
  • There’s always room for more cheese! Stir ricotta, parmesan, or mozzarella cheese in with the sauce-covered tortellini and top each bowl with extra parmesan.
  • To enhance the garlicky goodness, replace the fresh garlic with roasted garlic.
  • You can lighten up the dish by replacing the heavy cream with milk or dairy free milk (or creamer) but it won’t be as lusciously creamy.
  • Stir kale, spinach, or sun dried tomatoes into the dish for a little added nutrition.
  • To give this dish some added meatiness, replace the marinara with bolognese sauce, use meat-stuffed tortellini instead, or stir Italian sausage into the skillet.

Nutrition

Calories: 738kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 155mg | Sodium: 634mg | Potassium: 42mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1133IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 534mg | Iron: 4mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
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Hi, I’m Erin!

Can I pour you a glass of wine? Let’s have some fun in the kitchen! Maybe some pasta? A juicy steak? I’ve got loads of yummy, easy recipes for you! Because cooking should feel as comfy as your favorite yoga pants. ♥

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