Marry Me Tortellini

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This Marry Me Tortellini is a quick and creamy pasta dish inspired by the viral “Marry Me” chicken recipe known for its sun-dried tomato sauce. Cheese tortellini are simmered right in the skillet in a brothy mix of tomatoes, shallots and garlic finished with cream. It’s a one-pan dinner that comes together fast—perfect for weeknights or date night.

A recipe image of Marry Me Tortellini.
Credit:

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Pheobe Hausser, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf.

Active Time:
35 mins
Total Time:
35 mins
Servings:
6
  • This quick dinner is on the table in just 35 minutes.
  • The double dose of tomatoes, both sun-dried and fresh, brings a burst of inflammation-fighting antioxidants. 
  • Everything cooks in one skillet for minimal cleanup.

Our Marry Me Tortellini is going to become your favorite way to spruce up store-bought pasta. Delicious cheese-filled tortellini enters the “marry me” world with all of the flavors you love—chewy, antioxidant-rich sun-dried tomatoes, tender spinach and a creamy tomato sauce spiked with aromatic shallots and garlic. We added bright green peas for extra protein, a pop of color and subtle sweetness, and finished it off with fresh basil and Parmigiano-Reggiano for umami. Keep reading for our expert tips on technique, ingredient substitutions and more. 

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • To enhance the flavor and texture of refrigerated tortellini, cook it in a mixture of vegetable broth and water.
  • For added protein, consider incorporating chicken into the dish. If you enjoy some heat, feel free to add red pepper flakes.
  • While plain cheese tortellini works exceptionally well, you can also use other flavors, such as spinach-and-cheese or sausage.
  • For a different twist, try adding mushrooms to the sauce while cooking the tomatoes and shallots. Additionally, you might consider including oregano along with the basil.

Nutrition Notes

  • Cheese-filled tortellini is the star of this recipe and, because of the cheese filling, it’s a source of protein. This can help keep you full, while the carbohydrates from the pasta are excellent for energy production. 
  • Sun-dried tomatoes and cherry tomatoes are a double whammy in terms of nutrition. The sun-dried tomatoes are a source of a powerful antioxidant called lycopene. Fresh cherry tomatoes are a source of vitamin C, which can help boost your immune function. 
  • Green peas are considered a starchy vegetable, but don’t let that stop you from keeping a bag of these in your freezer. They are packed at peak freshness, so that helps to maintain their nutritional value. They are a source of fiber for gut health, potassium for maintaining healthy blood pressure, and protein to build and maintain muscle mass. 
  • Spinach wilts beautifully into this dish, and because of that, you can pack a lot of spinach into a serving. Spinach is high in folate, a B vitamin that is essential for preventing neural tube defects during pregnancy, and is also important for maintaining good heart health.
Cooking ingredients arranged on a surface including spinach tortellini cherry tomatoes peas and dairy products

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Pheobe Hausser, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf.

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 6 servings

  • 2 tablespoons oil from sun-dried tomato jar

  • cups cherry tomatoes (from 1 pint)

  • 2 medium shallots, chopped (about ½ cup)

  • cup drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

  • 5 medium cloves garlic, finely chopped (about 2 tablespoons)

  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper, plus more for garnish

  • cups lower-sodium vegetable broth

  • ½ cup water

  • 1 (20-ounce) package refrigerated cheese-filled tortellini

  • 1 (5-ounce) package baby spinach (about 5 cups)

  • 1 cup fresh or frozen green peas

  • ½ cup heavy cream

  • ½ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, divided

  • 2 tablespoons loosely packed fresh small basil leaves

Directions

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons sun-dried tomato oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1½ cups cherry tomatoes and the chopped shallots; cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have mostly blistered and the liquid has released and started to evaporate, about 5 minutes. Add ⅓ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes, the chopped garlic, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add 1½ cups vegetable broth and ½ cup water; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to maintain a lively simmer; add tortellini. Cook, stirring frequently, for 4 minutes.

    Sauted cherry tomatoes and onion in a frying pan with a wooden spatula

    Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Pheobe Hausser, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf.

  2. Add baby spinach; cook until wilted, about 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in 1 cup peas, ½ cup cream and ⅓ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano until incorporated. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons basil leaves and the remaining Parmigiano-Reggiano (about 2½ tablespoons). Garnish with additional pepper, if desired.

    A recipe image of Marry Me Tortellini.

    Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Pheobe Hausser, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I use frozen tortellini?

    You can, but the texture may not be as good as refrigerated. If you want to use frozen, you may have to adjust the cooking time by a few minutes. Just keep an eye on it to ensure you don’t undercook or overcook it.

  • How can I prevent mushy tortellini?

    Cook the tortellini according to the package instructions, and stay nearby to test it as it cooks. The goal is to achieve an al dente texture.

  • How should I store and reheat leftovers?

    This dish is best enjoyed immediately after preparation. If you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. To reheat, you can warm it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. Alternatively, you can use the microwave, heating it on low in 1-minute increments until it reaches your desired temperature. If the dish becomes too dry after being stored, you can add a little more broth to restore moisture.

  • What should I serve with Marry Me Tortellini?

    We would serve this flavorful dish for dinner with a refreshing green salad like Herb & Arugula Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette, Massaged Kale Salad or Basic Green Salad with Vinaigrette. The recipe already has vegetables, but some simply steamed green vegetables would be a great addition, such as our Steamed Fresh Green Beans or Roasted Broccolini with Lemon & Parmesan. Alternatively, you could prepare our Colorful Roasted Sheet-Pan Vegetables. Of course, some garlic knots or fresh bread would also be a nice addition to the meal.

Recipe developed by Marianne Williams

EatingWell.com, September 2025

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

499 Calories
22g Fat
58g Carbs
19g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Serving Size about 1 cup
Calories 499
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 58g 21%
Dietary Fiber 6g 21%
Total Sugars 6g
Added Sugars 0g 0%
Protein 19g 38%
Total Fat 22g 28%
Saturated Fat 10g 51%
Cholesterol 69mg 23%
Vitamin A 353µg
Vitamin C 24mg 27%
Vitamin D 0µg
Vitamin E 2mg 14%
Folate 150µg
Vitamin K 144µg
Sodium 787mg 34%
Calcium 291mg 22%
Iron 3mg 19%
Magnesium 74mg 18%
Potassium 604mg 13%
Zinc 2mg 19%
Vitamin B12 0µg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Sarah Pflugradt, Ph.D., RDN, CSCS
Sarah Pflugradt

Sarah Pflugradt is a registered dietitian who holds a Ph.D. in Health and Human Performance and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist. Her extensive background in dietetics has made her a sought-after expert in family and youth sports nutrition.

and
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.