Craving something incredibly satisfying for dinner but short on time? You’ve come to the right place! My Irresistible Garlic Butter Beef and Spinach Tortellini recipe is an absolute lifesaver for those busy weeknights. Seriously, this dish comes together in a flash, yet it tastes like it took hours to prepare. I first whipped this up when I was juggling work and trying to get my kids fed something wholesome and delicious without resorting to takeout. The combination of tender beef, wilted spinach, and cheesy tortellini swimming in a dreamy, garlicky butter sauce? Pure magic. It’s the kind of meal that makes everyone at the table ask for seconds, and you can proudly say, “I made it!”
Why You’ll Love This Irresistible Garlic Butter Beef and Spinach Tortellini Recipe
This dish is an absolute winner for so many reasons. First off, it’s incredibly fast – we’re talking dinner on the table in about 30 minutes flat, which is a lifesaver on busy weeknights. Plus, it uses just one pan, meaning way less washing up, and who doesn’t love that? The flavor is just out of this world; that garlic butter sauce clings to everything like a dream, making the beef, spinach, and tortellini oh-so-delicious. It’s a crowd-pleaser, too – kids usually gobble it up! And don’t forget, it’s super easy to switch things up. You can use ground chicken instead of beef, or add in whatever veggies you’ve got lingering in the fridge.
Gather Your Ingredients for the Irresistible Garlic Butter Beef and Spinach Tortellini Recipe
Alright, gather ’round, folks! To make this amazing garlic butter tortellini, you’ll need a few simple things. Trust me, they come together super fast. First, grab about a pound of good ol’ ground beef. Then, we need a tablespoon of olive oil to get things started. Chop up one medium onion – this adds such a nice base flavor. Mince about three cloves of garlic; you can never have too much garlic, right? For that cheesy goodness, you’ll want a 10-ounce package of frozen cheese tortellini. We’ll also need half a cup of beef broth, a quarter cup of heavy cream for that luscious sauce, and a quarter cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Don’t forget two cups of fresh spinach – it wilts down so nicely! And of course, salt and black pepper always make an appearance to taste.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Irresistible Garlic Butter Beef and Spinach Tortellini Recipe
Alright, let’s get this deliciousness happening! You’ll be amazed at how simple this is. It really is a no-fuss recipe, perfect for when you want something impressive without the fuss. If you love quick pasta dishes, you might also adore this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Bake or this creamy Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta – they’re winners in my house too!
Preparing the Beef and Aromatics
First things first, grab your biggest skillet and get it heating over medium-high heat. Toss in that pound of ground beef. We want to really brown it up nicely, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once it’s all nicely browned, carefully drain off any excess fat – nobody wants a greasy dish! Now, drizzle in your tablespoon of olive oil and add that chopped onion. Let it soften up for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until it’s nice and translucent. Then, stir in your minced garlic and let it do its thing for just about a minute until it smells absolutely amazing. Careful not to burn it!
Cooking the Tortellini and Building the Sauce
Now for the magic part! Add your frozen cheese tortellini right into the skillet with the beef and onions. Pour in that half cup of beef broth. Give it a good stir, and bring this mixture up to a gentle simmer. Cook it according to the tortellini package directions – usually just a few minutes. Keep stirring now and then so nothing sticks. Once the tortellini are tender, it’s time for the creamy goodness. Stir in that quarter cup of heavy cream and the grated Parmesan cheese. Keep stirring gently until the sauce thickens up just a tad. It should coat the back of a spoon nicely.
Wilting the Spinach and Final Seasoning
We’re almost there! Now, toss in those two cups of fresh spinach. It looks like a lot, I know, but don’t worry – it’ll wilt down super quick. Just stir it into the hot sauce until it’s perfectly tender and vibrant green. And the final, critical step: taste it! Add salt and black pepper until it’s just perfect for you. This is where you can really make it your own. Give it one last gentle stir, and get ready to serve this incredible meal.
Tips for the Perfect Irresistible Garlic Butter Beef and Spinach Tortellini
Even though this tortellini is super easy, I’ve picked up a few little tricks over the years that really make it sing. You’ve gotta try these!
- Don’t skimp on the garlic! Seriously, if you’re a garlic lover like me, feel free to add an extra clove or two. It’s what makes that sauce so irresistible.
- Spice it up! I often toss in a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic. It adds a little warmth without being too spicy, and it’s a game-changer. Try these Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken for another easy, flavorful option!
- Swap your protein! Ground chicken works beautifully here too, or even ground turkey. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could try some Italian sausage for an extra flavor kick. If you like chicken with garlic and Parmesan, check out my Garlic Parmesan Chicken Alfredo or this Tuscan Chicken Alfredo – so good!
- Veggie boost! Feel more veggies? Add some sliced mushrooms along with the onions, or toss in some halved cherry tomatoes right at the end with the spinach.
- Herb power! A sprinkle of fresh parsley right before serving makes it look fancy and adds a nice fresh bite. It really elevates the whole dish!
Serving and Storing Your Irresistible Garlic Butter Beef and Spinach Tortellini
This tortellini dish is fantastic all on its own, but I love serving it with a simple side salad or some crusty bread to soak up all that amazing garlic butter sauce. A sprinkle of fresh parsley or a little extra Parmesan on top makes it look restaurant-fancy! If you happen to have leftovers (which is rare in my house!), just pop them into an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll keep well for about 3 days. To reheat, just pop it in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat with a tiny splash of water or broth to loosen it up. It’s almost as good the second day! For other quick and tasty pasta ideas, you might enjoy my Bruschetta Chicken Pasta or this super speedy Broccoli Chicken Stir-fry recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Garlic Butter Beef Tortellini
Got some questions buzzing around your head? I totally get it! This tortellini is pretty straightforward, but here are a few things folks often ask me about:
Can I use a different type of tortellini?
Absolutely! While cheese tortellini is what I love for this recipe, feel free to use spinach tortellini, or even beef tortellini if you can find them. Just make sure they’re the refrigerated or frozen kind that cook up quickly. If you’re using fresh tortellini, they’ll cook even faster, so keep an eye on them so they don’t get mushy!
What if I don’t have beef broth? Can I use chicken broth?
No worries at all! Chicken broth works perfectly fine here too, and so does vegetable broth. The main thing is to have a liquid in there to help cook the tortellini and create a sauce base. Honestly, even just water would work in a pinch, though the broth adds a little extra depth of flavor. For more beefy goodness, check out these Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Parmesan Cream Sauce!
How can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Oh, that’s an easy one! Just skip the ground beef and use extra veggies instead! I love adding sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers right after the onions and garlic. You could also add more spinach or even toss in some sun-dried tomatoes for a pop of flavor. The garlic butter sauce is so dreamy, it’s delicious with just veggies and tortellini. For a different cheesy delight, how about these Easy Cheesy Garlic Chicken Wraps – minus the chicken, of course!
My sauce seems a bit thin. What did I do wrong?
Don’t panic! Sometimes the sauce just needs a little coaxing. If it’s too thin, just let it simmer gently for a few more minutes without the lid on. The cream and Parmesan will continue to thicken it up. You can also turn up the heat slightly, but keep stirring so it doesn’t scorch. Alternatively, you could mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water and stir that into the sauce while it simmers – it’s an old trick that works like a charm!
Nutritional Information
Just so you know, the nutritional info I’ve got here is an estimate, okay? It can change depending on exactly what you use and how much you eat. But generally, one serving of this incredible garlic butter beef and spinach tortellini comes in around 550 calories. You’re looking at about 30g of fat, 30g of protein, and 40g of carbohydrates. It’s a satisfying meal that tastes amazing and will keep you full!
Print
Irresistible Garlic Butter Beef and Spinach Tortellini
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A quick and flavorful pasta dish featuring tender beef, fresh spinach, and cheesy tortellini in a rich garlic butter sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (10 ounce) package frozen cheese tortellini
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add olive oil and chopped onion to the skillet. Cook until onion is softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Add frozen tortellini and beef broth to the skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook according to package directions, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Cook until sauce thickens slightly.
- Add fresh spinach and stir until wilted.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: garlic butter beef tortellini, spinach tortellini, easy pasta recipe, quick dinner, beef and spinach pasta