Thursday, May 6, 2010

Tortellini with Peas and Prosciutto

If you are looking for something quick, easy and tasty then this recipe is for you.  It comes from the April 2010 issue of Food Network Magazine and it is one of a few recipes I really want to try from this issue.  The recipe states that it will take 25 minutes to cook but it really doesn't take any longer than it takes to boil a pot of water.

I don't know about you but one package of tortellini is never enough for me and Steve.  One bag is less than a pound but aside from that Steve and I have big appetites and I like a little leftover for lunch.  I used two bags of frozen toretellini.  Steve had two bowls, I had one and there is just about a lunch portion left.  Since I added more pasta I thought I should increase the other ingredients slightly.  I added one more clove of garlic, a little extra tomato paste, a little more pasta water and about an extra half cup of peas.  I didn't have any cream but I used a little whole milk and it worked just fine for me.

Tortellini with Peas and Prosciutto

As seen in Food Network Magazine
April, 2010

Serves 4 (teeny tiny people)

Ingredients:

Kosher salt
1 pound meat-filled tortellini
2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
4 ounces prosciutto or pancetta, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 tbsp tomato paste
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

1.  Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.  Add the tortellini and cook as the label directs.

2.  Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat.  Add the olive oil and prosciutto and cook until crisp, 3 to 4 minutes.  Stir in the garlic and tomato paste and cook until fragrent, about 1 minute.  Ladle in about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water and simmer until reduced by about half, 3 to 4 minutes.  Add the cream and simmer until slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. 

3.  About 2 minutes before the tortellini are done, add the peas to the boiling water and cook until just tender.  Drain the tortellini and peas and add to the skillet, tossing to coat with the sauce.  Stir in the parsley.  Sprinkle with the parmesan cheese. 

Click here for a printable version of Tortellini with Peas and Prosciutto.



24 comments:

Spryte said...

I saw that!! I LOVE tortellini!! That looks yummy!

Joe Ambrosino said...

Hi! Welcome back. We haven't seen much of you around here lately. You must be making money!

Rachel said...

That looks so quick & easy to make! I agree one bag of tortellini is not enough, plus leftovers are the best. I think I'm going to give that a shot

La Bella Cooks said...

One bag would never be enough for us either, lol. This looks addictive.

Ciao Chow Linda said...

I think I could easily overeat if I were served a bowlful of that delicious pasta.

Holly said...

This looks like one of those go-to meals:) I'll have to try it soon:)

Stacy said...

Oh my goodness, yummm!

Unknown said...

I need to check the freezer section for tortellini. I've always bought the expensive stuff in the deli section as a "splurge". this recipe sounds great!

rosasdolcevita said...

Oh yum!! Perfect week night dinner. Something my family will love!

Dionne said...

Oh my goodness. This is sounds delectable, as everything you post does!

julie said...

That looks yummy Michele! Thanks for sharing!

teresa said...

i really like that combination of creamy and tomato-ey! this look fabulous, i want to dig in!

Patti T. said...

I just started getting this magazine and thought this looked like something hubby and I would really like. Yours looks and sounds delicious. Glad to hear that it came out okay using milk, I never have cream on hand. Really love reading your blog, thanks for all the time you put into giving us great recipes.

Stacey Snacks said...

I wish I was having this for lunch right now!
I love peas w/ prosciutto!

Miss Meat and Potatoes said...

My husband would die for this. Meat, prosciutto, and heavy cream? Come to think of it, I would die for this too:) Thanks for sharing!

http://meatandpotatoesfoodie.blogspot.com/

Delicious Dishings said...

Looks delicious! I used to eat a whole bag of that Barilla tortellini myself! I have to look at my copy of Food Network Mag. I somehow missed this!

Jen_from_NJ said...

Looks like a perfect fast weeknight meal. Thanks for sharing!

Taste of Beirut said...

You are absolutely right : this is quick and easy and it is flavorful!

Shane T. Wingerd said...

MMMMM You already had me at Tortellini... Then you added prosciutto, I'm dyin here. I need a big bowl full of that!

julie said...

Hey Michelle! I left you an award over on my blog. Be sure to stop by and pick it up!

Pam said...

I love tortellini and this sounds delicious! I will have to give it a go! Thanks!

Donna M. Tallarida said...

This sounds fabulous Michelle!

Roz | La Bella Vita Cucina said...

I grew up in my Italian family with only Tortellini en Brodo prepared due to our Northern (Modena) Italian roots and a cream sauce was never even considered to use. However, I first had this version of tortellini alla crema when I lived in St. Louis and dined on "The Hill" Italian neighborhood. I still love it to this day! My family makes tortellini by hand and we've never bought store-bought tortellini; so I should try that someday to simplify things. Hope you stop by my blog someday too! Ciao, Roz

Angie - Big Bears Wife said...

hummm I can never find Prosciutto here, maybe it would work the same with bacon? Looks good