Tortellini Alla Panna with Ham and Peas

Tortellini Alla Panna with Ham and Peas is a restaurant-quality dish that can be ready for dinner in 30 minutes. I always keep some refrigerated cheese tortellini on hand because my whole family loves them and nothing can be a quicker dinner.

What is Tortellini Alla Panna

In simple terms, "tortellini alla panna" means tortellini with cream. Tortellini are a delicious Italian stuffed pasta and since they cook fast, they are one of my top ingredients to make a quick dinner. This is the type of dish you would see in a fine-dining establishment but you can easily make it at home in under 30 minutes.

This cheese tortellini recipe is so versatile and when paired with the ham, peas and light cream sauce it's like heaven on a plate. You'll definitely want to pair this with crusty Italian or French bread so you can sop up the extra sauce.

Tortellini with ham and peas are always a winner in my house.

Ingredients Needed

• Tortellini – Fresh (or even frozen) cheese tortellini is so smart to keep on hand. It cooks in minutes and is so versatile so it makes a perfect weeknight meal and a great back-up option when dinnertime doesn't go according to plan.
• Olive Oil – Although I often cook with regular olive oil, an extra virgin olive oil would add a nice flavor to this dish.
• Ham – Use leftover ham or try a good quality Italian ham like prosciutto. Cut it in small pieces as a little goes a long way.
• Peas – Fresh peas are prefered but frozen are more convenient. Canned peas will be too mushy.
• Chicken Broth – Keep boxed chicken broth in the pantry. It's perfect for recipes like this and you can use the leftovers in another recipe later in the week.
• Seasonings – Look for a good dried Italian seasoning. Alternately you could use fresh herbs.
• Heavy Cream or Half and Half – This adds a silky creaminess to the sauce. Use the half and half if you prefer a slightly lighter sauce. This really puts the whole dish together and provides richness.

Steps to Making Tortellini Alla Panna

1. Cook tortellini in salted water according to package instructions. Drain and keep warm when they are cooked.
2. In the meantime, heat oil on medium in a large saute pan. Add ham and peas. Saute for 5 minutes then add chicken broth and Italian seasoning. Simmer on low for 10 minutes.
3. Add cooked tortellini and cream. Stir and simmer for a few minutes.
4. Add salt and pepper to taste. Top with grated cheese and fresh herbs before serving if desired.

More Easy Tortellini Recipes

• Cheese Tortellini with Sausage and Mushrooms
• Pesto Tortellini Skewers
• Tomato Tortellini Soup
• Cheese Tortellini Pasta with Pancetta
• Summer Tortellini Salad with Arugula from Sugar & Snap Peas

If you like this easy tortellini recipe, please leave a 5-star rating.

RECIPE

Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!

Tortellini Alla Panna with Ham and Peas

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time30 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Calories: 570kcal

Ingredients

• 16 ounces tortellini I like the tri colored ones
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 4 ounces good quality ham chopped
• 1 cup fresh or frozen peas
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 Tablespoons dried Italian seasoning
• ¼ cup heavy cream half and half can be used for less calories
• salt and crushed red pepper to taste
• Optional: grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh herbs basil or parsley for serving

Instructions

• Cook tortellini in salted water according to package instructions. Drain and keep warm when they are cooked.
• In the meantime, heat oil on medium in a large saute pan. Add ham and peas. Saute for 5 minutes then add chicken broth and Italian seasoning.
• Simmer on low for 10 minutes.
• Add cooked tortellini and cream. Stir and simmer for a few minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Top with grated cheese and fresh herbs before serving (if desired).

Notes

Makes 3 to 4 servings.

Recipe can easily be doubled.

Nutrition

Calories: 570kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 1052mg | Potassium: 244mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 518IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 205mg | Iron: 4mg

Thanks for stopping by! Subscribe to Jersey Girl Cooks if you would like more recipes and cooking tips sent to your email. You can also order my Super Easy Cookbook for Beginners and follow me on social media - Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.