5 Clever Ways to Use Refrigerated Tortellini in Easy Recipes

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Published on June 5, 2021

A package of ready-made refrigerated tortellini is a great meal waiting to happen. Available in a variety of savory fillings, each bite-size Italian dumpling packs so much flavor that using tortellini instead of regular pasta in any recipe immediately elevates the dish to a whole new level. Watch the video above as Nicole McLaughlin, aka NicoleMcmom, shows you five of her favorite ways to use refrigerated tortellini, and scroll down to get the recipes.

1. Baked Tortellini

close up of one-pot pizza tortellini bake in a baking dish — Allrecipes

You can put together this family-friendly recipe for One-Pot Pizza Tortellini Bake in about five minutes, pop it in the oven for 30, and serve it up right from the pan. Instead of the frozen tortellini called for in the recipe, Nicole opted to use refrigerated tortellini stuffed with sausage and cheese.

2. Fried Tortellini

close up of fried tortellini nachos — Allrecipes

Fried tortellini is already a fun appetizer, but Nicole takes this recipe for Tia and David's Deep Fried Tortellini to the next level by adding a packet of dry ranch seasoning to the bread crumbs before frying, and topping the fried tortellini with shredded Cheddar cheese, chopped tomatoes, olives, jalapeños, and sour cream to make party-worthy tortellini nachos. Note that Nicole doesn't cook the tortellini first; the frying will take care of that.

3. Tortellini Skewers

close up of tortellini skewers with tomatoes, olives, mozzarella, and pepperoni — Allrecipes

When it comes to party appetizers, food on a stick always disappears first. Nicole starts with this easy-to-make recipe for Tortellini Skewers and makes it her own by adding salami, mozzarella, and olives to the tomatoes called for in the recipe.

4. Tortellini Stew

close up of tortellini soup with cream, spinach, and tomatoes — Allrecipes

This one-pot slow cooker tortellini stew is so simple, you barely even need a recipe. Combine baby spinach, canned tomatoes, Italian seasoning, a block of cream cheese, a carton of chicken broth, tortellini, and shredded chicken in your slow cooker. Cook on low for about 2½ hours, stirring occasionally. To make it a bit thicker, cut the chicken broth in half.

5. Tortellini Pasta Salad

close up of tortellini primavera pasta salad with broccoli, tomatoes, olives, and pepperoni — Allrecipes

There's pasta salad, and there's tortellini pasta salad. Nicole shows you how to customize this recipe for Tortellini Primavera by using two different flavors of tortellini and adding olives, artichoke hearts, and fresh basil. As always, pasta salad is best when you let it sit in the fridge overnight so the flavors can develop before serving.