This bacon Alfredo tortellini recipe has a tangy cream cheese sauce with bacon bits and Parmesan cheese. It’s quick and easy to make, and it’s great as a main dish or a side dish.
If you can’t get enough Alfredo sauce, try my Easy Shrimp Alfredo or Chicken Alfredo Lasagna Roll Ups next.
Chicken and bacon tortellini is a classic pasta dish that’s easy to whip up any night of the week. With its combination of tender pasta, savory chicken, smoky bacon, and creamy sauce, it’s no wonder why this meal is a favorite for many. But what sauce pairs best with this delicious duo of ingredients? Let’s explore some sauce options to take your chicken bacon tortellini to the next level!
Alfredo Sauce is a Can’t-Miss Pairing
An Alfredo sauce is hands down one of the most popular options for chicken and bacon tortellini. There’s just something about the combination of creamy, cheesy Alfredo mixed with bites of chicken and bacon that can’t be beat!
Traditional Alfredo sauce contains just a few simple ingredients: butter, heavy cream, parmesan, and seasoning. But adding a spoonful of cream cheese amps up the tanginess and thickness of the sauce, taking it to new heights of flavor without needing flour or cornstarch.
When tossing the hot cooked tortellini with this quick homemade Alfredo, the sauce clings to each piece and elevates the entire dish. The creaminess pairs perfectly with the cheesy tortellini, chicken, and crispy bacon. Just a few minutes on the stovetop whisking up this sauce makes a restaurant-worthy meal!
Tomato-Based Sauces Add Bold Flavor
While creamy Alfredo is a top pick, tomato-based sauces like marinara or tomato basil work beautifully with chicken and bacon tortellini too. The acidity of the tomato sauce cuts through the richness of the tortellini and bacon for a welcome contrast.
Using jarred marinara sauce certainly simplifies preparation, but taking just 10 extra minutes to simmer canned tomatoes with onion, garlic, olive oil, and Italian seasoning makes a fresher-tasting sauce. Topping the finished tortellini with fresh torn basil leaves adds a final punch of flavor
Pesto Sauce Brings Herby Goodness
Pesto is another excellent match for chicken and bacon tortellini. Traditional pesto contains basil, pine nuts, parmesan, garlic, and olive oil for an ultra-flavorful sauce. The pesto coats each tender piece of tortellini in herby goodness, while the creaminess mellows out the strong flavors.
And the best part about pesto is that it can be made in just 5 minutes in the food processor. No lengthy simmering required! So on a busy weeknight just boil the tortellini blend up some pesto, and dinner is ready. Mix in some crispy bacon pieces, and you have an easy yet elegant pasta dish.
Cheese Sauces Make It Extra Comforting
Nothing says comfort food quite like ooey-gooey cheese sauce. And while Alfredo sauce has cheese in it, even cheesier sauces like cheddar, queso, or beer cheese pair wonderfully with chicken and bacon tortellini. The added sharpness and creaminess gives this meal next-level indulgence.
These cheese sauces come together fast on the stovetop with just a few ingredients like butter, milk, shredded cheese, and seasonings. The melted cheese perfectly blankets each pasta piece, seeps into every nook and cranny, and brings joy with each bite. Just don’t forget a side salad to balance out this decadent dish!
Gravy Offers Savory Satisfaction
For a rustic, savory take on chicken bacon tortellini, ladle on some gravy! Beef or chicken gravy simmered with aromatic vegetables and herbs pairs nicely with this pasta combo. The rich, meaty gravy soaks right into the tortellini.
Making gravy from pan drippings after roasting a chicken or beef roast yields the most flavor. But for shortcut gravy, bouillon or stock mixed with a roux creates an easy accompaniment for weeknights. Add a side of buttery garlic bread for sopping up every last drop!
##Conclusion
With so many sauce possibilities, you could enjoy chicken and bacon tortellini multiple times a month without getting bored! Alfredo, marinara, pesto, cheese sauces, and gravy all complement the flavors of the tortellini.
For best results, look for high-quality ingredients when preparing your sauce. Freshly grate hard Italian cheeses like parmesan and pecorino romano for maximum flavor. Make pesto with fresh basil leaves, not dried. Splurge on heavy cream or half and half over milk. And taste as you go, adjusting seasonings until the sauce tastes just right.
A homemade sauce requires minimal effort but makes a world of difference over bottled or pre-made options. With the right sauce, chicken and bacon tortellini transforms into a restaurant-caliber dinner to please even the pickiest eaters. Get creative trying new sauce pairings to keep this classic meal exciting!
Why you’ll love it
Alfredo sauce is easy to make, but adding a little tang from cream cheese is my favorite way to make it even better. Add in bacon, and this cream cheese tortellini is a cozy weeknight treat. Readers even love it as a birthday meal!.
This creamy tortellini recipe takes store-bought cheese pasta from ordinary to great. Making a quick sauce from scratch is about as easy as opening a jar, but it tastes so much better and only needs a few things.
- Tortellini: We’re using cheese tortellini from the section of pasta that is kept in the fridge.
- Bacon – it gives this dish an irresistible savory quality. Who doesn’t love bacon?.
- Garlic – our tasty aromatic. Use even more if you’re big into garlic.
- Chicken broth – the base of the sauce. It gives another dimension of flavor.
- Heavy cream—to give the sauce that rich, luxurious taste
- Cream cheese is my best way to make Alfredo sauce taste better and add a little tang. It also helps the sauce get thicker without flour or cornstarch! I used Philadelphia
- For the best taste, texture, and melting ability, always use freshly grated Parmesan.
Tools for this recipe
Check out Natasha’s favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!
- This recipe goes much more quickly when you use kitchen shears to cut the bacon and a garlic press.
- If you don’t already have a good set of measuring cups for liquids, get them now.
- I like to use my handy Microplane zester to grate the Parmesan.
Chicken & Bacon tortellini#shorts #shortvideo #youtubeshorts #satisfying #trending #asmr #yummy
FAQ
Do Italians eat tortellini with sauce?
What is the best way to serve tortellini?
What to serve with stuffed tortellini?
What sauce goes with chicken and prosciutto tortellini?
A good sauce for chicken and prosciutto tortellini is a creamy sauce made with chicken broth, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. You can also add some chopped prosciutto to the sauce for extra flavor. What Sauce Goes with Chicken and Chorizo Tortellini?
How do you make tortellini with bacon?
Transfer to a paper towel lined plate, and drain most (but not all) of the fat. Boil a pot of salted water, and cook the tortellini once the bacon is done. Into the skillet add the garlic, chicken broth, cream, and cream cheese. Stir over medium heat until reduced and the sauce is smooth. Add in the bacon and parmesan.
What sauce goes with tortellini?
A creamy sauce like Alfredo or a tomato-based sauce like marinara can both be delicious with chicken and bacon tortellini. Second, consider the texture of the sauce. Some people think a thick and chunky sauce might not be the best choice to pair with delicate tortellini. Third, think about how the sauce will be served.
How to make tomato tortellini with chicken and bacon?
This Creamy Tomato Tortellini with Chicken and Bacon is super simple and makes a perfect weeknight dinner. Frozen tortellini and rotisserie chicken make it a super fast meal, too! Place the bacon in a large skillet over medium high heat and cook until the bacon is cooked and crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon.
How do you make tortellini sauce?
Into the skillet add the garlic, chicken broth, cream, and cream cheese. Stir over medium heat until reduced and the sauce is smooth. Add in the bacon and parmesan. Remove from the heat, and toss with the drained tortellini, reserving some of the pasta water if needed to thin the sauce. Season generously with salt & pepper, and enjoy!
How do you make a fried chicken tortellini?
In the skillet where you just cooked chicken, combine cooked tortellini, cooked asparagus, cooked chicken, and ⅔ of the amount of chopped cooked bacon (reserving the rest of the bacon for later). Add heavy cream. Bring to boil and boil for 1-2 minutes, occasionally stirring. Sauce should thicken.