Bacon Tortellini Alfredo is something I created only the second time I ever made Alfredo sauce. While sitting at work one day, I was thinking about what could be added to enhance this dish and wrote down a few ideas. Adding bacon and rosemary seemed like the best way to go of course. My next decision was to change up the pasta, which may rock the boat with some people, but cooking is all about doing what makes YOU happy!
Bacon Tortellini Alfredo is a pretty rich meal, so it is paired well with a nice, light salad or a really good toasted bread. Since the great outdoors have decided it's winter again, we are having a comfort food kind of day, and this recipe is definitely on the menu. Yesterday we were barbecuing it was so nice... just saying, Winter you can go away any time now. Thanks.
Bacon Tortellini Alfredo
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1 lb - Package of Tortellini (any flavor you like)
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4-6 - Slices of Thick Cut Bacon
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2 tbsp - Butter
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2 - Cloves of Garlic (minced)
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2 cup - Heavy Cream
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1 1/2 cup - Freshly Grated Parmesan
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1/2 tsp - Black Pepper
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1 tbsp - Fresh Rosemary (minced) - OR 1 tsp dried Rosemary
- Over medium heat in a large non stick pan (preferably the one you will be making your sauce in) fry the bacon until it is crispy, then remove from pan onto a paper towel lined plate.
- Mince the garlic, shred the Parmesan and grab everything you will need, so everything is just ready when you need it.
- In a large pot, heat 8 cups of salted water, once this starts to boil, add pasta and cook accordingly.
- While the pasta is cooking, use about 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease OR clean the pan and add 2 tablespoons of butter.
- Once the butter has melted, add the minced garlic and saute for about 1-2 minutes, until garlic is fragrant. Watch this closely, because burnt garlic is terrible.
- Add the heavy cream, pepper and rosemary (only if you are using DRIED rosemary, if you are using fresh, add later). Bring the cream to a light simmer.
- As soon as the cream starts to simmer, add the Parmesan cheese and stir well. The cheese will melt to create a thicker sauce.
- Now that the sauce is ready, crumble the bacon into the sauce and add the cooked pasta. If you are using fresh rosemary, also add this now. Stir until everything is evenly coated in Alfredo Sauce and serve hot with a good bread or fresh salad!
- Enjoy!
Enjoy this creamy Bacon Tortellini Alfredo! I encourage you all to play with your food 🙂 After the first time you make a recipe, think about what could be added or subtracted to make it better, or make it YOURS! Never stop experimenting in the kitchen. Have fun you all, and I hope you are all staying sane while you are staying inside.
Ashley Tuttle
