If you are looking for a comforting, creamy, and downright delicious dish to impress your family or friends, the Bacon Ranch Tortellini Recipe is exactly what you need. This dish combines the savory crispness of bacon with pillowy cheese tortellini, all enveloped in a luscious homemade ranch cream sauce. It’s an irresistible mix of textures and flavors and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or an indulgent weekend treat. Once you make this, it will surely become one of your go-to recipes that everyone asks for again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the quality of each ingredient. Every element plays a vital role in bringing the dish together—creamy, savory, salty, and just a hint of tang. Here’s what you’ll need to create this fantastic Bacon Ranch Tortellini Recipe:
- Bacon strips (6): Provides a smoky, crispy bite that contrasts perfectly with the creamy sauce.
- Refrigerated cheese tortellini (2 packages, 9 oz each): Soft pasta pockets filled with melted cheese for warm comfort in every forkful.
- Low sodium chicken broth (1/2 cup): Adds a subtle depth of flavor and helps create the sauce’s base without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Ranch seasoning (1 tablespoon): Brings that classic herby and tangy ranch flavor we all adore, essential for the sauce’s distinctive taste.
- Heavy whipping cream (1/2 cup): Gives the sauce its rich and velvety texture.
- Cream cheese (4 ounces, softened): The secret ingredient that thickens the sauce and adds a smooth, tangy creaminess that ties everything together.
How to Make Bacon Ranch Tortellini Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Cream Cheese
First things first, to get that perfectly creamy sauce, make sure your cream cheese is very soft. Ideally, take it out of the fridge over an hour before you start or zap it in the microwave for about 20 to 30 seconds. This will make mixing it into the sauce a breeze and help you achieve that smooth, luscious texture.
Step 2: Cook the Tortellini
While your bacon sizzles away, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Keep in mind that tortellini cooks very fast, typically in just a few minutes, so time it well, starting once your bacon is nearly done to ensure everything comes together at the right moment. Once cooked, drain and set aside so the tortellini is ready to soak up the delicious sauce.
Step 3: Crisp the Bacon
Using kitchen shears makes quick work of cutting your bacon into small pieces. Fry these in a skillet over medium-high heat until every bit of bacon is crispy and golden, about 10 minutes. The crispy bacon adds both flavor and texture, becoming a crunchy, salty highlight in every bite.
Step 4: Drain the Bacon Fat
After the bacon is perfectly crisp, remove it with a slotted spoon onto a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess fat. Pour out most of the bacon fat from the pan but leave about a tablespoon behind—this flavorful fat will add depth to our sauce, so don’t discard it completely.
Step 5: Make the Ranch Cream Sauce
Place the pan back on medium heat and whisk in the chicken broth and ranch seasoning until the seasoning dissolves nicely. Then stir in the heavy cream and softened cream cheese, continuously stirring until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened, which usually takes about five minutes. The sauce won’t be super thick here but will thicken further as it cools, coating every tortellini beautifully.
Step 6: Combine and Serve
Take the pan off the heat and gently toss the cooked tortellini and crispy bacon into the ranch cream sauce. Make sure each piece is luxuriously coated, then serve immediately while warm for the ultimate creamy, flavorful, and irresistible dinner experience.
How to Serve Bacon Ranch Tortellini Recipe
Garnishes
Add a fresh pop of green with a sprinkle of chopped parsley or chives, which not only brighten up the look but add a delicate freshness to balance the richness. A little extra cracked black pepper on top can also enhance the flavor and add a touch of spice.
Side Dishes
This Bacon Ranch Tortellini Recipe is rich and hearty, so pairing it with a crisp green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette or roasted vegetables makes for a perfect, balanced meal. Garlic bread or a warm baguette can also be great for mopping up any leftover creamy sauce on the plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For a crowd-pleasing presentation, serve the tortellini in a large, shallow bowl with the crispy bacon sprinkled on top just before serving to keep its crunch. For a fun twist, you could transfer the dish into individual ramekins and sprinkle with shredded cheese, then broil briefly to get a bubbly, golden crust. This is sure to delight guests or family members alike!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers from this Bacon Ranch Tortellini Recipe keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors actually meld beautifully overnight, though the sauce may thicken. Just add a splash of milk or broth when reheating to loosen it back up.
Freezing
If you want to freeze, portion the tortellini and sauce separately if possible. The tortellini can be frozen for up to two months, but the cream sauce can sometimes change texture once thawed. Reheat gently and stir well to bring it back to a creamy consistency.
Reheating
To reheat, warm your leftover Bacon Ranch Tortellini gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring often and adding a few tablespoons of broth or milk to prevent the sauce from thickening too much. Avoid microwaving at high heat, which can make the cream sauce separate or become grainy.
FAQs
Can I use frozen tortellini instead of refrigerated?
Absolutely! Frozen tortellini works just as well for this recipe. Just add an extra minute or two to the cooking time and thaw according to package instructions if possible.
What if I don’t have ranch seasoning?
You can make a quick substitute by mixing dried dill, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. While it won’t be exactly the same, it will still provide that herby flavor that complements the dish wonderfully.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
You can! Simply omit the bacon and consider adding sautéed mushrooms or crispy fried onions for that savory texture. The ranch cream sauce remains delicious on its own or with added veggies.
Is this recipe very rich?
It is on the richer side due to the cream, cream cheese, and bacon, making it a satisfying comfort food. Balancing it with fresh sides or using reduced-fat ingredients can lighten it up if desired.
How long does this dish take to prepare?
The entire Bacon Ranch Tortellini Recipe comes together in about 30 minutes, making it a fantastic choice for a quick yet impressive meal any day of the week.
Final Thoughts
This Bacon Ranch Tortellini Recipe is one of those magical dishes that feels indulgent but is surprisingly simple to make. It’s loaded with comforting textures and bold flavors that always bring smiles to the dinner table. If you love creamy pasta dishes or just want to try something new and exciting, give this one a go—you’ll be so happy you did!
Print
Bacon Ranch Tortellini Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
A creamy and flavorful Bacon Ranch Tortellini recipe that combines crispy bacon with a rich ranch-infused cream sauce, perfectly coating tender cheese tortellini. This quick and easy pasta dish is ideal for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Bacon
- 6 strips bacon (cut into small pieces)
Pasta
- 2 (9 ounce) packages refrigerated cheese tortellini
Sauce
- 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning
- 1/2 cup heavy/whipping cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese (1/2 block of Philly, softened)
Instructions
- Prepare Cream Cheese: Ensure the cream cheese is very soft by taking it out of the fridge at least one hour prior to making the recipe or microwaving it for 20-30 seconds to soften.
- Cook Tortellini: Boil a large pot of salted water and start cooking the cheese tortellini once the bacon is done, since tortellini cooks quickly, about 3-5 minutes or until tender.
- Cook Bacon: Meanwhile, cut the bacon into small pieces using kitchen shears for ease. Fry it in a skillet over medium-high heat until crispy, approximately 10 minutes.
- Drain Bacon Fat: Remove the bacon from the pan onto a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Carefully discard most of the bacon fat from the skillet, leaving about 1 tablespoon remaining.
- Make Sauce: Return the skillet to medium heat and whisk in the chicken broth and ranch seasoning until dissolved. Stir in the heavy cream and softened cream cheese, continuing to stir until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Combine & Serve: Remove the pan from the heat and toss the drained tortellini and cooked bacon in the ranch cream sauce. Serve immediately while warm and creamy.
Notes
- For best results, ensure the cream cheese is fully softened before starting.
- Using low sodium chicken broth helps control the saltiness, but adjust seasoning as preferred.
- You can substitute turkey bacon for a leaner option.
- Reserve some bacon grease for extra flavor in the sauce, but be cautious with the quantity to avoid greasiness.
- Cook tortellini according to package instructions, as cooking times may slightly vary.
