Creamy Lemon Goat Cheese Tortellini

Name: Creamy Lemon Goat Cheese Tortellini
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 10 oz cheese tortellini; 4 oz plain goat cheese; 0.25 cup heavy cream; 3 clove garlic, thinly sliced; 1 tbsp olive oil; 4 slices prosciutto; 1 lemon zest and 1–2 tbsp juice; 0.33 cup reserved pasta water (up to 0.5 cup); 0.25 cup freshly grated parmesan (up to 0.33 cup); 1 bundle fresh basil; Salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes to taste; Hot honey (optional)

Crispy prosciutto, silky lemon goat cheese sauce, and a drizzle of hot honey make this easy 20-minute pasta taste restaurant-worthy while being incredibly simple to prepare. Creamy, bright, salty, and just a little sweet, this dish is perfect for a quick yet indulgent meal.

garlic, thinly sliced

zest and 1–2 tbsp juice

reserved pasta water (up to 0.5 cup)

freshly grated parmesan (up to 0.33 cup)

Salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes to taste

Hot honey (optional)

Step 1

Boil the tortellini in well-salted water. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.

Step 2

While the tortellini cooks, crisp the prosciutto in a skillet over medium heat. Remove it from the skillet and chop.

Step 3

In the same skillet, add olive oil and cook the sliced garlic until it is lightly golden.

Step 4

Lower the heat and stir in the goat cheese and reserved pasta water until the mixture is smooth. Stir in the heavy cream.

Step 5

Add the lemon zest, 1 tbsp of lemon juice, parmesan, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.

Step 6

Add the cooked tortellini to the skillet and toss to coat. Loosen the sauce with more pasta water if needed.

Step 7

Finish the dish by topping it with the chopped prosciutto, torn basil, red pepper flakes, and a drizzle of hot honey, if desired.

Reserve the pasta water before draining as it helps create a silky sauce.

Adjust the amount of lemon juice and red pepper flakes to suit your taste preferences.

Hot honey adds a unique sweet and spicy flavor, but you can skip it if you prefer.

Use freshly grated parmesan for the best flavor and texture.

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can substitute cheese tortellini with other filled pastas or even plain pasta, but the flavor and texture may vary.

What can I use instead of goat cheese?

You can substitute goat cheese with cream cheese or ricotta for a similar creamy texture, though the flavor will be less tangy.

Is hot honey necessary?

No, hot honey is optional. It adds a sweet and spicy kick, but the dish is delicious without it.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

This dish is best served fresh, but you can prepare the sauce and cook the tortellini ahead of time. Combine and reheat gently before serving.

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or cream to loosen the sauce.

garlic, thinly sliced

zest and 1–2 tbsp juice

reserved pasta water (up to 0.5 cup)

freshly grated parmesan (up to 0.33 cup)

Salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes to taste

Hot honey (optional)

Step 1

Boil the tortellini in well-salted water. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.

Step 2

While the tortellini cooks, crisp the prosciutto in a skillet over medium heat. Remove it from the skillet and chop.

Step 3

In the same skillet, add olive oil and cook the sliced garlic until it is lightly golden.

Step 4

Lower the heat and stir in the goat cheese and reserved pasta water until the mixture is smooth. Stir in the heavy cream.

Step 5

Add the lemon zest, 1 tbsp of lemon juice, parmesan, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.

Step 6

Add the cooked tortellini to the skillet and toss to coat. Loosen the sauce with more pasta water if needed.

Step 7

Finish the dish by topping it with the chopped prosciutto, torn basil, red pepper flakes, and a drizzle of hot honey, if desired.

Reserve the pasta water before draining as it helps create a silky sauce.

Adjust the amount of lemon juice and red pepper flakes to suit your taste preferences.

Hot honey adds a unique sweet and spicy flavor, but you can skip it if you prefer.

Use freshly grated parmesan for the best flavor and texture.

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can substitute cheese tortellini with other filled pastas or even plain pasta, but the flavor and texture may vary.

What can I use instead of goat cheese?

You can substitute goat cheese with cream cheese or ricotta for a similar creamy texture, though the flavor will be less tangy.

Is hot honey necessary?

No, hot honey is optional. It adds a sweet and spicy kick, but the dish is delicious without it.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

This dish is best served fresh, but you can prepare the sauce and cook the tortellini ahead of time. Combine and reheat gently before serving.

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or cream to loosen the sauce.

Creamy Lemon Goat Cheese Tortellini

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Creamy Lemon Goat Cheese Tortellini

Stuck mid-recipe?

Ingredients

Want to keep this recipe for later? We can email it to you!

How to make Creamy Lemon Goat Cheese Tortellini

Want to keep this recipe for later? We can email it to you!

Tips & Tricks

FAQS

Carly's Cookbook

(@carlyscookbook)