I’ve Already Made This Brown Butter Tortellini Twice in 1 Month

Dinner can be on the table in 35 minutes and using only a few ingredients.

This weeknight-fancy dinner always feels extra special. Alex Lepe/TCA

I’m all-in on easy weeknight dinners, but sometimes you just want to tuck into a meal that looks and tastes a hair fancier than your everyday fare and is still simple enough to pull off after a long day (like these stuffed pork chops or this chicken Marsala). If you’re like me, then this brown butter bacon tortellini is right up your alley. Here, crispy bits of bacon and cheese-filled tortellini are tossed in a quick and tasty brown butter sauce.

The best part? With just six ingredients (salt and pepper are freebies, and the parsley’s optional), dinner’s on the table in about 30 minutes. So whether you’re dishing out dinner for a party of one or feeding a few loved ones, this weeknight-fancy pasta will always feel extra special.

Why You’ll Love It

• Perfect for any night of the week. A quick brown butter sauce takes this fuss-free, six-ingredient dinner to the next level.
• Extra quick and extra delicious. With just 10 minutes of prep and a cook time of 25 minutes, this easy-to-make dinner comes together in almost no time.

Key Ingredients in Brown Butter Bacon Tortellini

• Tortellini: This recipe works with either refrigerated or frozen cheese tortellini. I’m a fan of Rana’s cheese tortellini, but it would also be equally delicious with another filled tortellini or even ravioli.
• Butter: You’ll need six tablespoons of unsalted butter for the base of this quick and flavorful sauce.
• Bacon: I tested this recipe with both regular and thick-cut bacon, and opted for regular bacon in the end; I found that it melded better with the tortellini. If you’ve only got thick-cut bacon, don’t sweat it—it works just as well!

Helpful Swaps

• Substitute your favorite crumbled sausage for the bacon.
• If you’re not big into tortellini, you can swap in 8 ounces of dried pasta, cooked according to package directions.
• Feel free to add in any veggie you like, such as frozen peas, roasted broccoli, and even sauteed mushrooms.

Brown Butter Bacon Tortellini

Serves 3 to 4

• 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
• 20 ounces refrigerated or frozen cheese tortellini (do not thaw)
• 6 slices bacon (about 6 ounces), diced
• 1 medium shallot, finely chopped (about 3 tablespoons)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed
• 1 ounce finely grated Parmesan cheese (about 1/2 cup), plus more for serving
• Kosher salt
• Chopped fresh parsley leaves, for garnish (optional)

1. Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Meanwhile, melt 6 tablespoons unsalted butter in a 12-inch, light-colored frying pan or skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring and scraping the bottom occasionally, until it begins to bubble and pop. Continue cooking until it foams, smells nutty, and the solids turn dark brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Scrape into a small heatproof bowl. Wipe out the frying pan with a paper towel and return to the stovetop.