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 quick and easy dinner, but it can get boring if you eat it too often. That’s why mixing up the sauce is key to keeping this meal interesting. From creamy and rich to fresh and zesty, there are endless sauce possibilities to complement the flavors of the stuffed pasta.
In this article, I’ll suggest 11 of my favorite sauces to serve with chicken and bacon tortellini. With this variety of options, you’ll never get tired of this tasty dinner!
First, let’s talk about what makes this filled pasta so delicious. Tortellini originates from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. The ring-shaped pasta is stuffed with a mix of ricotta, parmesan, and other ingredients.
Chicken and bacon tortellini swaps in shredded chicken and crispy bacon. When paired with the right sauce these flavors combine for a truly scrumptious meal.
Now let’s get to the fun part – the sauces!
1. Alfredo Sauce
Creamy alfredo sauce is a no-brainer pairing for tortellini. Made from butter, cream, and parmesan, this luxurious sauce coats each piece of pasta. The richness pairs perfectly with the smoky bacon and savory chicken.
To make alfredo, melt butter into heated cream and parmesan. Stir continuously until smooth and thickened. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
2. Vodka Sauce
For an indulgent twist, try vodka cream sauce. Tomato cream and vodka marry for a bright yet luxurious sauce. The alcohol cooks off, leaving behind a wonderful basil flavor. Spoon this sauce over your chicken and bacon tortellini for a restaurant-worthy dinner.
3. Pesto Cream Sauce
Herby pesto brightens up creamy tortellini. To make this sauce, blend basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, parmesan, and salt and pepper to form a paste. Then combine the pesto with heated cream. The basil notes pair wonderfully with the rich, cheesy filling of the pasta.
4. Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce
For a fresh take, make a quick sun-dried tomato sauce Sauté garlic and oil, then add sun-dried tomatoes and chicken broth Simmer until thickened. Finish with cream cheese or heavy cream for a creamy component. The sweet tomatoes and savory cream is delicious with bacon and chicken tortellini.
5. Cheese Sauce
Of course, you can never go wrong with a classic cheese sauce, either. Melt butter into flour to form a roux. Slowly whisk in milk, then add shredded cheese like cheddar, parmesan, or gruyere until fully melted. The gooey cheese coats each tortellini for your ultimate comfort food dinner.
6. Tomato Cream Sauce
Marry rich cream with zesty tomato for an easy sauce that pleases everyone. Simply sauté garlic in olive oil, then add diced tomatoes and simmer. Finish by stirring in heavy cream. Season with basil, salt, and pepper. This bright yet creamy sauce pairs perfectly with stuffed tortellini.
7. Mushroom Cream Sauce
Earthy mushrooms add great depth of flavor. Cook sliced mushrooms until browned, about 5 minutes. Then make a quick pan sauce with chicken broth, cream, and flour. The mushrooms lend delicious umami flavor to complement the chicken and bacon.
8. Lemon Butter Sauce
Cut through the richness with a bright lemon butter sauce. Melt butter in a skillet, then add lemon juice and zest along with optional minced garlic. Let the sauce reduce for a minute so the flavors blend. Drizzle this over your chicken and bacon tortellini for a refreshing twist.
9. Cajun Cream Sauce
Spice it up with a Cajun cream sauce. Cook down bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, and Cajun seasoning. Then finish with cream or cream cheese. The spicy Cajun flavors pair wonderfully with the bacon and chicken tortellini.
10. Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
For another fresh and flavorful sauce, blend up roasted red peppers with garlic, olive oil, and vegetable broth. Toss the tortellini in this vibrant sauce for a delicious meatless meal. The sweetness of the peppers complements the filling beautifully.
11. Basil Pesto Sauce
Finally, homemade basil pesto is always an easy sauce option. Blend basil, olive oil, garlic, pine nuts, parmesan, and salt and pepper. Toss the hot tortellini right in the pesto to let the flavors soak into the pasta.
With so many sauce possibilities, from creamy alfredos to fresh pestos, chicken and bacon tortellini need never get boring. Change up your weeknight dinner routine by picking a new sauce to complement this tasty stuffed pasta. With flavor combinations ranging from rich to zesty, light to indulgent, you’re sure to find a new favorite.
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.
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.
Italian Chicken Tortellini Skillet — one pan! | The Recipe Rebel
FAQ
Do Italians eat tortellini with sauce?
What is the best way to serve tortellini?
Can I reheat chicken and bacon tortellini?
What to serve with chicken and bacon tortellini?
There are many different ways that you can enjoy chicken and bacon tortellini. One way is to simply enjoy it as is, with no sides. Another way is to enjoy it with a salad on the side. Lastly, you could also enjoy it with a soup or stew on the side.
What is a substitution for tomato sauce in GERD?
The best choices are natural and functional sauces, such as cauliflower or chia sauce for example. But white sauces can also be included in moderation.
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.
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?