This bacon cream cheese tortellini recipe has crispy bacon, cheesy tortellini, and a deliciously tangy creamy Alfredo sauce. It's quick, easy, and makes a fabulous main course or side dish.
Cheese tortellini and bacon make a nice combo. Nestle 'em in a cream sauce and store-bought tortellini has suddenly been taken from bland to grand. 😉
Bacon, parmesan cheese, and cream together is obviously quite rich, so that's one of the reasons I decided to use cream cheese in here. The slight sourness of it lightens the dish up overall. It also helps to thicken the sauce without worrying about adding flour or cornstarch.
I would serve this creamy bacon tortellini recipe with something light (like a salad) or just make it a side dish. This feeds four as a main course or up to six as a side dish, depending on how much people eat.
Love Alfredo sauce? Try this Easy Shrimp Alfredo, my Lemon Parmesan Chicken Alfredo Recipe or this 15 Minute Creamy Alfredo Gnocchi.
This bacon cream cheese tortellini is the perfect comfort food for any occasion. I hope you'll like this recipe!
Other tortellini recipes you'll love:
- Chicken Tortellini Alfredo
- Crockpot Tortellini Soup with Sausage
- One Pan Tortellini with Sausage
- Tomato Tortellini Soup
- Cheese Tortellini with Butter, Mushrooms, and Crispy Sage
- Spinach Tortellini Salad
- Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup
Let me know if you've made this creamy tortellini with bacon recipe! As always, I love to see your creations, so tag me #saltandlavender on Instagram if you've made one of my recipes.
Questions? Leave me a comment below.
Bacon Cream Cheese Tortellini
Ingredients
- 2 (9 ounce) packages refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 6 strips bacon cut into small pieces
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese (1/2 block of Philly) softened
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil a large, salted pot of water for the tortellini. Start cooking the tortellini once the bacon is done (it'll only take a few minutes for the tortellini to cook).
- Cut the bacon into small pieces (I use kitchen shears to make the job easy). Fry it in a skillet over medium-high heat until crispy (about 10 minutes).
- Take the pan off the heat and remove the bacon to a paper towel lined plate. Drain most of the bacon fat from the pan (keep about 1 tablespoon in there).
- Stir in the garlic, chicken broth, cream, and cream cheese. Return the pan to the burner (medium heat), and stir until you've got a smooth sauce and it's reduced to your liking (about 5 minutes).
- Stir in the parmesan cheese and bacon. Take the pan off the heat and toss with the drained tortellini. If the sauce is too thick, add a few spoonfuls of the pasta water. Season with salt & pepper as needed.
Notes
- Take the cream cheese out of your fridge 30+ minutes prior to starting the recipe so it has a chance to soften up. Alternatively, you can microwave it for 20-30 seconds (microwaves vary so watch it closely) to soften it up if you forget.
Michaela S says
What else can you use instead of heavy whipping cream?
Natasha says
Hi! I haven't tested anything else. You could try half-and-half perhaps? Results may vary with any swaps, though.
Margaret Bruse says
I had tortellinis that I needed to use up and wanted to try something totally different and your recipe looked and sounded so delicious! I have all the other ingredients on hand also. thank you and I can’t wait to make this for dinner tonight!😊
Natasha says
Excellent!! I hope you enjoy it, Margaret! 🙂
Kerri says
So delicious! This meal has been added to our meal rotations and I always look forward to it! Thank you for the recipe!
Natasha says
You're very welcome Kerri! So happy it's a regular meal in your home. 🙂
Sharon Cushman says
Delicious!…served with pork chops and a salad…..very yummy fora rainy cool September,
Natasha says
So glad to hear it, Sharon!
Jodi says
Can you make ahead and freeze in a vacuum sealed bag
Natasha says
Hi! I find that neither creamy sauces nor pasta (in general) thaw too well, but you could give it a try... maybe with leftovers in case it doesn't work out?
Tara says
Does this reheat well for meal prep?
Natasha says
Hi! Not really, unfortunately. Creamy sauces in general don't reheat too great, I find, and cream cheese can get a bit dry/gloopy. You could always make it for dinner one day, though, and then reheat a small portion of leftovers to test.
Todd says
I made this with a side salad and corn on the cob. It really worked well
Natasha says
Excellent!!
Kristi says
Made this last evening, everyone said was delicious. Super easy weeknight meal , thanks for sharing great recipes!
Natasha says
Fantastic!! You're welcome. 😀
Carmen Autera says
I'm wondering if I need to increase or add any additional ingredients if I want to add rotisserie chicken breast to your recipe?
Thank you in advance and for your help.
Natasha says
Hi Carmen! I believe others have done that and it's worked out just fine. You could double the sauce if you want LOTS of sauce, however.
Marla Flood says
Very good. Will make again thanks for the recipe
Natasha says
You're welcome! 😀
Katrina says
Hands down quick easy supper to make add salad meal done within 30 minutes
Natasha says
So glad to hear that, Katrina! Thank you! 🙂
Ellen says
I made this tonight for dinner and it was a huge hit with everyone. I made it exactly as you wrote it and it turned out perfect. I will definitely be making this again. Thanks for a great one pan recipe that tastes as if I slaved all day.
Natasha says
I'm thrilled to hear that!! 🙂 You're very welcome, Ellen.
Michele says
Delicious,family loved it.Will be a regular!
Natasha says
Fantastic!!!
Pam Weber says
Made this again tonight, our family LOVES it! Nice quick fix dinner when I get home from work late, too.
Natasha says
Wonderful!! So happy you all like it, Pam.
Rebecca says
Taste great! I use milk and added frozen spinach, awesome dish super easy. Thank you!
Natasha says
You're welcome!
Christina says
This is SO YUMMY!!! I followed the directions to a t and it was perfect! It’s my husbands birthday today and I asked him what he wanted for supper. I figured he would say pizza or take out but he didn’t, he said THIS! That’s a huge compliment. Thank you for the delicious recipe 🥰
Natasha says
Fantastic!! That makes me so happy he wanted this for his birthday dinner!! You're very welcome. Wish him a happy bday from me!
Olivia says
Very good! Will definitely make it again and very quick to make!
Natasha says
Excellent! Thank you so much.
Emily says
One of the best tortellini choices i’ve had!
Natasha says
Fabulous!! Thank you!
Danielle Stanfield says
Amazing. My wife said it's her new favorite! What a win!!!
Natasha says
Well that's great to hear, Danielle! 😀
Cory says
East dinner for the family. Served with blackened chicken and a salad. Will definitely make again.
Natasha says
Excellent!! so glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Lynn Desrosiers says
Delicious thank you for the wonderful recipe it is perfect!
Natasha says
You're very welcome!! 🙂
val says
Made it with 1 bag of tortellini 9 0z, and 1 1/2 cups of cooked chicken. Very good.
Natasha says
Awesome!! Thank you!
Michelle says
I added mushrooms to mine
Natasha says
Yum!
Trevor Williams says
Very good! But with those ingredients you cant go wrong. 😋
Natasha says
Right?? Hehe. So glad you liked it!
Ashley says
This was delicious. Followed the recipe exactly. I will definitely make this again. Had a salad with balsamic dressing with it. So so good, the whole family loved it!
Natasha says
Excellent! Thank you! 🙂
payton sides says
So so SO convenient and delicious !
Natasha says
Awesome!! Thank you 😀
shannon says
this was a huge hit! I used garlic herb cream cheese as well and it was awesome. so easy to make and the house smells amazing too which is a bonus 😉
Natasha says
Wonderful!! 🙂
Julie Everson says
I used half and half instead of heavy whipping cream and was still rich and creamy. Delicious recipe! Thank you.
Natasha says
Wonderful! You're welcome.
Tami Oliva says
Could you use milk or half and half instead of heavy cream?
Natasha says
I wouldn't recommend milk, but half-and-half may be ok.
Maddy says
I don’t care for Alfred sauce what else could I do ?
Natasha says
Well... I have lots of other tortellini recipes on my website if you type "tortellini" into any of the search boxes. Here's one you may like: https://bit.ly/3pBFRAt
Charlotte says
This is the best way to do comfort food as the weather is getting colder! 🙂
I made this for a charity and was so happy with how it turned out. I think its recipients will love it.
Thank you so much for the wonderful recipe.
Natasha says
Aww I'm so happy to hear that! That's nice of you to make it for a charity. Hope they enjoy it! 🙂
Ethel L Finizio says
Wonderful dish.....
Natasha says
So happy you enjoyed it, Ethel!
Chatita says
I haven’t made it yet but I’m wondering if you could add chicken to this.
Natasha says
I think that should be fine 🙂
Crystal says
Just curious if shrimp added in would be good! I think I’m going to try this out with shrimp
Natasha says
Hi! I don't see why not. 🙂 Let me know if you do try!
Natalie says
So it was good. Honestly could not eat more than five bites without getting full. I wonder if just using Alfredo sauce would be better. I possibly should have used more noodle water at the end but as much as I did use I thought it’d be enough. Again, it’s good, just SUPER filling.
Natasha says
Hi! Yup it's definitely a rich dish! That's why I recommend serving it as a side or with a salad lol. I'm glad you liked it!
Nichole says
Can i make this in the crockpot?
Natasha says
Hi! Hmmm.. I don't really see how... you could tinker with the recipe a bit, but it's easy to just do it on the stove quickly.
Taylor Cooke says
Could I use jar Alfredo and if so how much would I need? I hate cream cheese lol
Natasha says
Hi! Just a guess here, but probably 1.5-2 cups of the alfredo sauce?
Monique Koupal says
Wondering how this would come out using rigatoni or large macaroni, instead of the tortellini?
Natasha says
I think that would probably be fine. I would stick to around the same quantity of pasta, though, because you don't want to run out of sauce if you make too much. The tortellini's cheese filling does add an extra little something-something to the recipe, though, so keep that in mind.
Jessica Arbuckle says
Added a little more to mine, but it was really good!!! Definitely a family winner!!
Natasha says
Wonderful!
Nikki Laubach says
Can you use frozen tortellini?
Natasha says
Yes
Emily says
Made this the other night for dinner and it was DELICIOUS. So easy for a novice cook like myself trying to experiment with new recipes during all the time at home. I didn’t have the fresh tortellini but I did have the dried barilla kind with cheese and spinach and it was to die for. Thank you for a new staple in our household! 😊
Natasha says
So happy it worked out for you, Emily! 😀
Cindy says
Our usual takeout is closed [edited] so I had to fix something for dinner in a big hurry. Tortellini, bacon, quick creamy sauce - done! And we loved it! No surprise - I’ve tried six S&L recipes in the last month and can’t wait to make them all again. Not quite sure how I’ve cooked dinner all these years without these quick and *delicious* recipes. Thank you!
Natasha says
I am so happy you enjoyed this recipe, and I'm so glad that I've been a good recipe resource for you, Cindy! 🙂 XO
K'Lann says
I forgot to give a star rating last time. 5 stars! I plan on making it again today.
Natasha says
Thanks so much for coming back to give it a rating!! I'm so glad you like this recipe! 🙂
Spencer Cundy says
Made this dish ladt night.
My wife enjoyed just as much as I.
Natasha says
Wonderful!! Thanks for letting me know, Spencer!
K'Lann says
I made this for my family the other night and they loved it! I made it as the main dish. I used 16 oz of tortellini instead of just 9 oz because I like to have left overs. I made everything else as instructed and to me there was still enough sauce. I love the tanginess of the cream cheese in this. It was a very simple and delicious dish to make. I will definitely be adding this to my main go to meals! Thank you so much for this recipe!
Natasha says
You’re very welcome! So glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for leaving me a comment!! ♥️
CB says
I made this with a 20 oz Tortellini and added an extra slice of bacon. It was delicious; the whole family loved it. Next time I will add more bacon and maybe some onion.
Natasha says
I'm so glad it was a hit! 🙂