Pan Fried Tortellini and Broccoli is a simple, yet incredibly delicious, one pan dinner that's ready in only 20 minutes. It's a simple family-friendly meatless Monday recipe great for busy parents and hungry kids! Tortellini is pan fried in butter and tossed with sauteed broccoli, garlic and red onions. Drizzle with olive oil and top with Parmesan cheese for a complete and nutritious five-star meal!
If your nightly mission is to end the evening with as few dirty dishes as possible, kids who actually ate their dinner, and a dinner that didn't take all day to make, fried tortellini is a meal that you'll love.
When we hear "fried" we often think crispy, deep-fried, breaded, and addictive. But this recipe isn't deep fried— it's pan fried and tossed with onions, garlic, salt, pepper, and broccoli. Drizzle with a good quality olive oil, and you've got a delicious dinner ready to serve in about 20 minutes.
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Ingredients
- Frozen tortellini: plus a little butter for pan frying.
- Fresh broccoli
- Mashed garlic: cooks and tastes better than minced garlic in this recipe.
- Red onions
- Parmesan cheese: grated or shredded both work here.
- Olive oil: use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
I find pan fried tortellini to be best when cooked in butter, drizzled with olive oil, and then tossed with salt and pepper. Of course, you can't forget to sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, because no pasta is complete without it. These light and simple ingredients really let the cheesy flavor of the tortellini shine.
Yes, you can use fresh tortellini. They will cook a little quicker than frozen tortellini.
How To Make It
STEP 1: In a large pan, saute the chopped broccoli and red onions in olive oil over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, tossing a few times. I chop the broccoli on the small side so that it cooks faster.
STEP 2: While the broccoli cooks, combine the garlic cloves and salt in a garlic masher. Mash the garlic well and then add to the pan, cooking for another minute.
STEP 3: Remove the broccoli, onions and garlic to a serving bowl. Add the butter to the pan. When melted add the tortellini to the pan and cook for 5-7 minutes, tossing a few times so all sides become golden brown and crispy.
STEP 4: Remove tortellini from pan and add to the bowl of broccoli. Season with salt and pepper as desired. Drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle individual serving bowls with parmesan cheese if desired.
Enjoy!
Recipe Variations
- If your family isn't big on broccoli, you can easily substitute other vegetables they do love. Zucchini, green beans, peas, asparagus, spinach, winter squash, and cauliflower would all work great without changing the cooking time.
- Add rotisserie chicken to make it non-vegetarian.
Storing
Fried tortellini and broccoli keeps well in the fridge for about a week. It reheats in the microwave well too, without causing the tortellini to lose much crispness.
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Pan Fried Tortellini and Broccoli
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
- 1 large head of broccoli, chopped into small pieces
- ¾ cup red onion, diced
- 6 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 tablespoon butter
- 24 oz frozen tortellini
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- parmesan cheese, to serve
Instructions
- In a large pan, saute the chopped broccoli and diced red onions in olive oil over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, tossing a few times.
- While the broccoli cooks, combine the garlic cloves and salt in a garlic masher. Mash the garlic well and then add to the pan, cooking for another minute.
- Remove the broccoli, onions and garlic to a serving bowl. Add the butter to the pan. When melted, add the tortellini and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes, tossing a few times so all sides become golden brown and crispy.
- Remove tortellini from pan and add to the bowl of broccoli. Season with more salt and pepper as desired. Drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle individual serving bowls with parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
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