Tortellini & Peas with Mascarpone Alfredo Sauce

Tortellini with Mascarpone Alfredo Sauce and Peas is an easy pasta dish that features mascarpone instead of the traditional heavy cream.

Mascarpone is an Italian cheese from the Lombardy region.

It is a thick, triple cream cheese with a texture more like butter or custard than the slightly grainy texture of ricotta.

It’s made in a similar way to sour cream and crème fraîche, but its flavor is sweeter by comparison.

You can use it in soups, stews, and sauces.

It’s a good substitute for cream in pan sauces, mashed potatoes, or pasta dishes.

Like this Tortellini & Peas with an Alfredo Sauce using Mascarpone.

1 – 9 oz. package of refrigerated, prepare Tortellini, stuffed with cheese

2 tablespoons olive oil

8 ounce Mascarpone cheese

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic

1/2 cup crème fraîche

1/2 cup peas, fresh or frozen

Salt and black pepper to taste

Pre-heat broiler with a rack 6 inches from heat source.

In a liquid measuring cup whisk together well, mascarpone, garlic, crème fraîche, and a generous pinch of salt and black pepper. Set aside.

In a medium heat- proof skillet over medium-high heat add two tablespoons of olive oil and heat.

Add tortellini in a single layer. Cook without stirring, until pasta is holed brown on bottom, about 2-3 minutes.

Next, add to pan 1/2 cup water and immediately cover pan with a lid. Cook until tender, about 5 minutes.

Uncover and continue cooking until tortellini is crisp on the bottom. Add 1 tablespoon as needed if browning to quickly.

Next add sauce and peas to tortellini and mix well. Add half the Parmesan cheese in large pinches to avoid clumping. Mix in well.

Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce is slightly thickened, 1-2 minutes.

Remove skillet from stove from heat source and seasoning with salt and black pepper.

Sprinkle remaining Parmesan over tortellini and peas. Broil on top oven rack until golden brown, about 1-2 minutes. Watch carefully as broilers vary.

Remove from under broiler. Plate and serve.

If you like the idea of mascarpone in a savory dish other than a dessert, like Tiramisu, then you’ll enjoy making this Flatbread with Zucchini Smoked Bacon and Mascarpone Cheese.

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