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    Home » Pasta

    Bacon Ranch Tortellini

    Published: Apr 28, 2021 / Updated: Jul 6, 2022 / 17 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure for more details.

    Jump to Recipe

    This bacon ranch tortellini recipe is creamy, comforting, and easy! It's great for a fast weeknight meal that you'll look forward to making.

    I based this one on a reader favorite, my Bacon Cream Cheese Tortellini. If you liked those flavors, chances are you'll enjoy this recipe too!

    close-up of creamy ranch tortellini with bacon in a white bowl

    Why you'll love it

    This easy tortellini recipe is one that should please everyone in your home, picky eaters included. Bacon and ranch belong together, and who can resist a creamy sauce and little bundles of cheesy tortellini? I always feel dinner is more special when I make a sauce for tortellini myself, and honestly this doesn't take much longer than warming up sauce from a jar would.

    I know that in my household we're always looking to come up with new ways to enjoy store-bought tortellini. This is one of my favorite recipes to elevate it to the next level without any hassle. It has just six ingredients, so it's a no-brainer for a quick family meal and weeknight treat!

    What you will need

    • Bacon - we're using a generous amount cut into small bits for that delicious crispy, savory goodness in each bite. It's really efficient to do this using kitchen shears.
    • Cheese tortellini - this recipe calls for the kind you find in the refrigerated section of the grocery store
    • Chicken broth - since ranch seasoning can be fairly salty, that's why we're going with the low sodium option
    • Ranch seasoning - I like the little packets from Hidden Valley best
    • Heavy cream - to add a luscious quality to the sauce
    • Cream cheese - it makes a fantastic base for creamy pasta sauces. I prefer Philadelphia brand.
    cream cheese tortellini with bacon and ranch in a skillet

    How to make creamy tortellini with bacon

    This is an overview, and full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

    • Start by boiling water for the tortellini in a pot and cooking the bacon in a skillet. Cook the tortellini according to package instructions once the bacon is done.
    • Transfer the bacon to a plate, and then make the sauce in the same skillet the bacon was cooked in. Leave about a tablespoon of the bacon fat in the pan, then add in the chicken broth and ranch seasoning and whisk until it's dissolved.
    • Stir in the cream and cream cheese, and cook until it's become a smooth sauce and thickened up a bit. Toss with the drained tortellini and cooked bacon. Enjoy!
    making creamy sauce for bacon ranch tortellini in a skillet

    Pro tips

    • Bacon and ranch seasoning are both quite salty, so be mindful of adding any extra salt to this dish without tasting first, and definitely use low sodium chicken broth. You can try a homemade ranch seasoning if you want to control salt more or are particularly sensitive to it.
    • Try subbing the chicken broth for dry white wine or do a 50/50 split for a gourmet touch if you're making this pasta for date night or a special occasion. 
    • When frying bacon, I like to use this splatter guard for easy clean-up.
    close-up of easy creamy bacon tortellini

    What to serve with this pasta

    • This recipe is quite rich, so I'd serve it with a slice of crusty bread and a big side salad with mixed greens and this Easy Italian Salad Dressing. Or a vegetable side like these Easy Roasted Green Beans works as well to lighten it up!
    • You could also have this as a side dish to any number of main courses, and then it will serve up to 6 people. Try it with my Easy Pan Seared Pork Chops Recipe or Parmesan Crusted Chicken.

    Leftovers and storage

    • This ranch pasta will keep in the fridge for a few days in a covered container, but it's best eaten fresh since the pasta will absorb the sauce over time.
    • Reheat in a small saucepan over a low heat, giving it the occasional stir. If it's looking a bit dry, give the sauce a splash of cream or broth to refresh it.
    • I wouldn't recommend freezing this one. The cream sauce won't hold up after thawing.

    More cozy pasta recipes

    • Alfredo Tortellini Bake
    • Easy Creamy Bacon Tomato Pasta
    • Baked Tortellini (Tomato & Meat Sauce)
    • Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
    • One Pan Tortellini with Sausage
    bacon ranch tortellini in a white bowl

    Questions about this bacon ranch tortellini recipe? Let me know in the comments below or leave a review! You can also tag me #saltandlavender on Instagram with anything you've made.

    close-up of creamy ranch tortellini with bacon in a white bowl

    Bacon Ranch Tortellini

    This bacon ranch tortellini recipe is creamy, comforting, and easy! It's great for a fast weeknight meal that you'll look forward to making.
    4.67 from 9 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 746 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    • 6 strips bacon cut into small pieces
    • 2 (9 ounce) packages refrigerated cheese tortellini
    • 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth
    • 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning
    • 1/2 cup heavy/whipping cream
    • 4 ounces cream cheese (1/2 block of Philly) softened

    Instructions
     

    • Ensure the cream cheese is very soft (take it out of the fridge 1+ hour prior to making the recipe or microwave it for 20-30 seconds).
    • Boil a large, salted pot of water for the tortellini. Start cooking the tortellini once the bacon is done (tortellini cooks fast).
    • Meanwhile, cut the bacon into small pieces (I use kitchen shears to make it 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).
    • Return the pan to the burner (medium heat). Stir in the chicken broth and ranch seasoning and whisk until it's dissolved, then stir in the cream and cream cheese. Keep stirring until you've got a smooth sauce and it's thickened up a bit (about 5 minutes). It's not a super thick sauce, but it will thicken even more as it cools.
    • Take the pan off the heat and toss with the drained tortellini and bacon, then serve immediately.

    Notes

    • Ranch seasoning and bacon are both quite salty, so be mindful of adding extra salt to this recipe. Try making your own homemade ranch seasoning to lower the salt content if needed.
    • Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 746kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 26gFat: 45gSaturated Fat: 20gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 142mgSodium: 1263mgPotassium: 150mgFiber: 5gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 831IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 231mgIron: 4mg
    Keyword bacon ranch tortellini
    Author Natasha Bull
    « Maple Dijon Baked Salmon
    Easy Broccoli Cheddar Soup »

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    1. Ellen Lewis says

      January 6, 2023 at 5:26 PM

      5 stars
      I loved it. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        January 6, 2023 at 7:10 PM

        You're welcome, Ellen! Thanks for making it and leaving a review! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Audrey says

      October 26, 2022 at 7:43 AM

      5 stars
      This is a delicious recipe - one of our favorites! I have made it 5+ times. I advise using the whole 16 oz container of the heavy cream to mitigate the saltiness.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 26, 2022 at 10:00 AM

        I'm so glad you enjoy it, Audrey!! Thanks for your review!

        Reply
    3. Diane says

      July 11, 2022 at 8:44 PM

      5 stars
      Loved this recipe, was easy and a big hit.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        July 12, 2022 at 12:08 AM

        Wonderful! Thanks for your review, Diane. 🙂

        Reply
    4. Kathy says

      June 16, 2022 at 3:00 PM

      3 stars
      Listen to what she says- it definitely is salty. I like salt though so I’m ok, but don’t add any! I added some chopped garlic, onion and basil. It’s good

      Reply
    5. Amanda says

      March 21, 2022 at 6:14 PM

      5 stars
      So so good and a quick dinner. The hubs and the kids loved it too! Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        March 21, 2022 at 6:29 PM

        You're welcome! We're so happy your entire family enjoyed it, Amanda! 🙂

        Reply
    6. Ashley says

      August 11, 2021 at 5:55 PM

      5 stars
      This recipe is delicious. My husband and I enjoyed it. It is easy to make, and the flavor is great.

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        August 11, 2021 at 10:14 PM

        That's fantastic to hear, Ashley!

        Reply
    7. CK says

      May 10, 2021 at 5:09 PM

      4 stars
      I added 1.5 cups of broccoli to this and only used half the pasta. It was delicious, but a little salty despite not adding any extra salt. I'd make it again!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 10, 2021 at 7:04 PM

        Glad you liked it! Yup, that's why I put the notes about the salt in the post haha.

        Reply
      • Charlotte says

        November 1, 2021 at 6:55 PM

        5 stars
        This was so delicious! I added some canned mushrooms I had left over, so yummy! I will add this to my rotation for dinners.

        Reply
        • Natasha says

          November 1, 2021 at 7:05 PM

          Fantastic!! 🙂

          Reply
    8. Spencer Cundy says

      May 4, 2021 at 3:20 AM

      5 stars
      I did receipe this evening, for two so half ov everything.
      But for Colour I put Frozen peas and some Button Mushrooms.
      It was terrific .
      Thank you.
      Spence.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 4, 2021 at 8:39 AM

        Wonderful!! You're very welcome. Thanks for taking the time to review my recipe, Spence. 🙂

        Reply

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