8 Easy Tortellini Recipes for Women Who Work 9–5s

Let’s be honest: After a long day at work, the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen. But that doesn’t mean you have to settle for frozen meals or bland leftovers. Enter: tortellini — the weeknight hero we all deserve.

Packed with flavor, easy to cook, and endlessly versatile, tortellini is the perfect shortcut to a comforting, satisfying dinner in 30 minutes or less. Whether you’re cooking for one, meal prepping, or feeding your partner or roommates, these recipes will have you looking forward to dinner, even on a Tuesday.

Here are 8 of the best tortellini recipes for women juggling the 9–5 grind and still showing up hungry.

The Best Tortellini Recipes for Easy Weeknight Dinners

1. Creamy Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomato Tortellini

Time: 20 minutes
Why You’ll Love It: One pan, minimal prep, and packed with flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 package refrigerated cheese tortellini
• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes (drained and sliced)
• 2 cups baby spinach, sliced into ribbons
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook tortellini according to package. Drain and set aside.
2. In a skillet, sauté garlic in olive oil. Add sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. Cook until wilted.
3. Pour in cream, parmesan, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 3–4 minutes.
4. Stir in tortellini. Serve with extra parmesan.
   

2. Pesto Tortellini with Roasted Veggies

Time: 30 minutes
Why You’ll Love It: Veggie-packed and full of color. Plus, it makes great leftovers.

Ingredients:

• 2 packages cheese or spinach tortellini
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/3 cup pesto (store-bought or homemade)
• Salt, pepper, and chili flakes

Instructions:

1. Toss veggies with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 425°F for 20 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, cook tortellini and drain.
3. Mix tortellini, pesto, and roasted veggies in a bowl.
4. Top with chili flakes and enjoy hot or cold.

3. One-Pot Tortellini Soup

Time: 25 minutes
Why You’ll Love It: Cozy, nourishing, and perfect for meal prep.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 package tortellini
• 2 cups baby kale or spinach
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, sauté onion and garlic until soft.
2. Add tomatoes, broth, seasoning, and bring to a boil.
3. Add tortellini and simmer per package directions.
4. Stir in greens, season to taste, and serve.
   

4. Tortellini with Brown Butter Sage Sauce

Time: 15 minutes
Why You’ll Love It: Simple but elevated. Tastes like something from a restaurant.

Ingredients:

• 1 package cheese tortellini
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 10 fresh sage leaves
• Salt, pepper, and grated parmesan
• 3/4 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
• Grated parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Cook tortellini and drain.
2. In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat until it begins to brown.
3. Add sage leaves and cook for 1 minute.
4. Toss tortellini in the sauce and finish with parmesan and toasted walnuts.

5. Baked Tortellini Casserole (Freezer-Friendly, Protein-Packed!)

Time: 10 min prep + 25 min bake
Why You’ll Love It: Great for batch cooking, packed with protein, and still a super easy comfort meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 package refrigerated tortellini
• 1 jar marinara sauce
• 1 cup cottage cheese (whole milk or low-fat)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp pepper
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. In a blender, blend marinara sauce with cottage cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until the sauce turns pink in color. In a mixing bowl, combine uncooked tortellini, sauce, and ½ cup of mozzarella cheese. Stir until well coated.
3. Transfer mixture to a baking dish.
4. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella, parmesan, and Italian seasoning evenly over the top.
5. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
6. Uncover and broil for 5 minutes, until bubbly and slightly browned.

Tip: If freezing, assemble everything in a freezer-safe dish before baking, cover tightly, and freeze. Thaw overnight before baking as directed.

6. Garlicky Lemon Tortellini with Arugula

Time: 20 minutes
Why You’ll Love It: Light, zesty, and refreshingly different from heavy pasta dishes.

Ingredients:

• 1 package tortellini
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp salted butter
• Zest + juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cups baby arugula
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 1/4 cup finely grated parmesan
• Salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes

Instructions:

1. Cook tortellini 2 minutes less than package instructions, and reserve 1/4 cup pasta water.
2. In a pan, melt olive oil and butter. When the butter is almost entirely melted, add garlic and cook until fragrant. Add the almonds and cook, stirring frequently until the almonds are golden and the butter is browned, about 5 minutes.
3. Toss in cooked tortellini, lemon juice/zest, arugula, and reserved pasta water.
4. Season to taste and serve warm.

7. Tortellini with Creamy Basil Goat Cheese Sauce

Time: 15 minutes
Why You’ll Love It: Bright, tangy, and indulgent without being heavy.
Swaps: Don’t have goat cheese? Boursin cheese is a flavorful replacement with a similar flavor profile. 

Ingredients:

• 1 package tortellini
• 4 oz goat cheese
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook tortellini and set aside.
2. In a small saucepan, melt goat cheese with milk until creamy. 
3. Stir in basil and season to taste.
4. Pour over tortellini and mix gently.

8. Charred Asparagus & Lemon Butter Tortellini

Charred Asparagus & Lemon Butter Tortellini is the kind of weeknight magic we all need—simple, satisfying, and packed with flavor. It’s the perfect blend of cozy and fresh, with golden seared asparagus and a bright lemon butter sauce clinging to every bite of pillowy tortellini. Whether you’re cooking in a tiny camper kitchen or just need something quick after a long day, this dish delivers feel-good comfort without the fuss. Make it once, and you’ll find endless ways to make it your own.

You Deserve a Home Cooked Meal

Dinner doesn’t have to be a drain. With these tortellini recipes in your back pocket, you can skip the stress and still eat like a queen. Pick up a pack (or two) on your next grocery run, and you’ll be just 20 minutes away from a cozy, comforting, I-made-this kind of night.