Got it! Here’s a Garlic Butter Beef and Spinach Tortellini recipe with clear instructions for about 4 servings. If you want to scale it up or down, I’ll make it easy to adjust.
Garlic Butter Beef and Spinach Tortellini (4 Servings)
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef (or beef stew meat, if you prefer)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for cooking)
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (9 oz) package of cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional, for extra richness)
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
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Cook the Tortellini:
- Boil a large pot of salted water. Once it’s boiling, add the tortellini and cook according to package instructions (usually 2-4 minutes for fresh, 7-10 minutes for frozen).
- Once cooked, drain the tortellini, reserving about 1/4 cup of pasta water to help with the sauce later.
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Cook the Beef:
- While the tortellini is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until browned and fully cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Season with salt and pepper.
- Once cooked, drain any excess grease and return the beef to the skillet.
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Make the Garlic Butter Sauce:
- In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoons of butter and let it melt over medium heat.
- Once the butter is melted, add minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Sauté for about 1-2 minutes, until the garlic is fragrant.
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Add Spinach and Cream (optional):
- Add the chopped spinach to the skillet and sauté until it wilts (about 2-3 minutes).
- If you’re using heavy cream, pour it in now, stirring to combine. Let the sauce simmer and thicken for a minute or two.
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Combine Tortellini:
- Add the cooked tortellini to the skillet. Gently toss everything together, coating the pasta with the garlic butter sauce.
- If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
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Add Parmesan and Serve:
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese for extra creaminess and flavor.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, as needed.
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Serve:
- Plate the tortellini, garnish with fresh parsley or basil, and serve hot. Enjoy!
Tips for Adjusting the Recipe:
- For 2 servings: Use 1/2 lb beef, 4 oz tortellini, and reduce the spinach and cream accordingly.
- For 6 servings: Use 1.5 lbs beef, 1.5 packages tortellini, and adjust the spinach and cream to match.
This recipe is easy to make and customizable based on how many you’re serving. Let me know if you’d like any further adjustments!