• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

What Should I Make For... logo

  • About Cathy Roma
    • FAQ
    • News and Press
  • Recipes
  • Menus
  • How To
    • How to make Buttery Pie Crust
    • How to Cook with Cast Iron
    • How to Make Homemade Gnocchi
    • Homemade Ginger Beer
    • Homemade Turkey Stock
    • The Ultimate Thanksgiving Menu
    • 2019 Holiday Gift Guide – Stocking Stuffers for Foodies
  • Videos
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
Home » Blog » Appetizer and Snack Recipes » Crispy Tortellini Bites with Creamy Tomato Sauce

Crispy Tortellini Bites with Creamy Tomato Sauce

Cathy Roma Published: Jan 27, 2019

1546 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Reddit
  • Yummly

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure for more information.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
Be warned! One dunk of these crispy, crunchy tortellini bites into creamy tomato sauce and you won’t be able to stop! This easy appetizer recipe will be your new favorite!
Be warned! One dunk of these crispy, crunchy tortellini bites into creamy tomato sauce and you won’t be able to stop! This easy appetizer recipe will be your new favorite!

Crispy Tortellini Bites with Creamy Tomato Sauce

These babies are crunchy, cheesy and highly additive. Allow me to introduce you to crispy tortellini bites…your new best friend.

This is everything you want in a Super Bowl snack…a little salty, a little cheesy, a little saucy, and a whole lot of flavor. I’ve paired it with a creamy tomato sauce for a little sweetness and a squeeze of lemon for a little zing.

While best eaten as soon as they’re made, you can make them an hour or two ahead and reheat them in a warm oven.

And if you’re anything like me, you’ll have to test one or two each time you fry a batch just to make sure they’re okay. And I promise they’ll be okay.

Crispy Tortellini Bites with Creamy Tomato Sauce

Tips for success

  • Cook the sauce over very low heat, especially after adding the cream. You don’t want to scorch the bottom or boil.
  • The cream adds a silkiness to the sauce, but if you want to skip making your own, a high quality jarred sauce will work just fine.
  • The tortellini are best eaten right away, but you can hold them on a lined sheet tray in a warm 200 degree (but not hot) oven until ready to serve.

Crispy Tortellini Bites with Creamy Tomato Sauce

3.67 from 6 votes
Crispy Tortellini Bites with Creamy Tomato Sauce served on a round wood board with tomato sauce in a small bowl with fresh parsley and grape tomatoes scattered around.
Print
Crispy Tortellini Bites with Creamy Tomato Sauce
Prep Time
40 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
 

Be warned! One dunk of these crispy, crunchy tortellini bites into creamy tomato sauce and you won’t be able to stop! This easy appetizer recipe will be your new favorite!

Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: fried tortellini
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 592 kcal
Author: Cathy Roma | What Should I Make For...
Ingredients
Creamy Tomato Sauce
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp tomato paste
  • 28 oz can tomato puree
  • 2/3 cup heavy cream
  • 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning, dried
  • 1 Tbsp parsley, minced
  • 1 1/2 tsp sugar
  • 1/4 tsp red chili flakes
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
Tortellini Bites
  • Canola oil, for frying
  • 1 lb fresh tortellini, cooked according to package instructions
  • 2 eggs, beaten with 2 Tbsp water
  • 2 cups panko bread crumbs
  • 3/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 tsp garlic salt
  • Salt and pepper
  • *Grated parmesan cheese, minced parsley and lemon wedges
Instructions
Creamy Tomato Sauce
  1. Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.

  2. Add the onion and saute for 2 mins. Add the garlic and saute until until garlic and onions are soft and just golden.
  3. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 mins.
  4. Add the tomato puree, heavy cream, parmesan, Italian seasoning, parsley, sugar, chili flakes and salt.
  5. Stir well and simmer over low heat, uncovered for 30 mins.
  6. While the sauce cooks, get ready to fry the tortellini.

Tortellini Bites
  1. Whisk the eggs with water in a bowl, set aside. Mix the panko bread crumbs with the parmesan, lemon zest and garlic salt.
  2. Take a handful of the tortellini and toss it in the beaten eggs. Use a slotted spoon to remove and toss them into the breadcrumbs until well coated. Place the breaded tortellini on a plate and repeat with the remaining tortellini.
  3. Place a large nonstick frying pan over high heat and add enough oil to cover the bottom. Heat until hot, but not smoking.
  4. Add tortellini in a single layer but don't crowd the pan. Fry until golden brown, flip and fry the other side until golden brown, about 3 mins total. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Repeat with remaining tortellini.
  5. Sprinkle the tortellini bites with parmesan, parsley, salt and pepper and serve with tomato sauce and lemon wedges.
Recipe Notes
  • Cook the sauce over very low heat, especially after adding the cream. You don't want to scorch the bottom or boil.
  • The cream adds a silkiness to the sauce, but if you want to skip making your own, a high quality jarred sauce will work just fine.
  • The tortellini are best eaten right away, but you can hold them on a lined sheet tray in a warm 200 degree (but not hot) oven until ready to serve.
Nutrition Facts
Crispy Tortellini Bites with Creamy Tomato Sauce
Amount Per Serving
Calories 592 Calories from Fat 234
% Daily Value*
Fat 26g40%
Saturated Fat 12g75%
Cholesterol 135mg45%
Sodium 1627mg71%
Potassium 749mg21%
Carbohydrates 64g21%
Fiber 6g25%
Sugar 12g13%
Protein 26g52%
Vitamin A 1440IU29%
Vitamin C 18mg22%
Calcium 401mg40%
Iron 5.9mg33%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Update Notes: This post was originally published in February 2017 but was republished with tips in January 2019.

Crispy Tortellini Bites with Creamy Tomato Sauce
16

Appetizer and Snack Recipes, Recipe sauce, snacks, superbowl, tomato, super bowl, football, tortellini, appetizer, tortellini bites, creamy, parmesan, party

About Cathy Roma

My food philosophy is simple: everything in moderation. Sweet, savory, healthy, decadent…food, like life, is all about balance. I rely on my background as a trained chef/mom to create family-friendly recipes that will inspire you to cook, not complicate your life.

★ Made this recipe? Make sure to give it a rating below!

Subscribe now to receive my exclusive guide of How to Stock a Pantry delivered straight to your inbox!


Follow What Should I Make For on Instagram and show me what you’re making for…!
Be sure to use the hashtag #whatshouldimakefor
Previous Post: « Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner with Cauliflower and Broccoli
Next Post: Gooey Monkey Bread (from scratch!) »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Karen @ Seasonal Cravings says

    February 4, 2017 at 2:45 pm

    What a creative idea! I’ll bet these are delicious. Love that crispy coating.

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      February 4, 2017 at 6:07 pm

      Thanks Karen. Yep, I’m a sucker for those crispy edges.

  2. Agness of Run Agness Run says

    February 4, 2017 at 4:17 pm

    Mouthwatering, delicious and easy meal, Cathy! Perfect idea for a rich lunch.

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      February 4, 2017 at 6:06 pm

      Thanks so much Agness! We all need to indulge a little sometimes!

  3. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

    February 4, 2017 at 10:42 pm

    These look delicious Cathy! They remind me of one of my favorites when I visit my sister in St. Louis, toasted ravioli. I never thought of using tortellini. Great idea! Hope you enjoy the Super Bowl!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      February 5, 2017 at 5:32 pm

      I LOVE crispy ravioli too Mary Ann! Hope you have a fun Super Bowl Sunday too!

  4. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

    February 6, 2017 at 3:27 pm

    5 stars
    When I saw these on Instagram I almost died, Cathy… in the very best way of course. These look absolutely AMAZING. I don’t care that super bowl is over, I want these for dinner tonight!! I’ve had fried ravioli before, but never tortellini! GENIUS! That creamy tomato sauce for dipping looks like heaven. Can’t wait to try these! Pinned! Cheers!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      February 12, 2017 at 3:34 pm

      Thanks so much Chey! There’s never a wrong time for crispy tortellini!

  5. annie@ciaochowbambina says

    February 6, 2017 at 10:35 pm

    Yep, I’ve made toasted ravioli but never tortellini! This is happening! And I love that creamy sauce! Delicious!!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      February 12, 2017 at 3:34 pm

      Can’t go wrong with crispy pasta right Annie?

  6. Cindy says

    February 8, 2017 at 1:51 am

    Oh wow, I love how the salt pops on the crispy panko. YUMMY! I am with Cheyanne, superbowl – smooperbowl, these are great for tonight’s dinner. This is a fun way to amp up a weeknight meal. My kids are going to ask you to adopt them. How do you feel about bi-coastal parenting, eh?

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      February 11, 2017 at 3:24 pm

      I’m all for bi-coastal parenting Cindy. But that means you’re going to get two boys with a giant sweet tooth heading your way!

  7. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

    February 8, 2017 at 12:49 pm

    “Popping in for a quickie”……bahahahahaha 😀 Good one! Saw these on IG, Cathy, and they look so good! What a unique idea! I would probably eat this entire batch and not even realize it. Perfect game day (or weekend) eats!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      February 11, 2017 at 3:23 pm

      Thanks Dawn! They really are a great game day snack!

  8. Sherry says

    September 26, 2019 at 2:44 pm

    Where does the spiced rum butter come into play? I don’t see mention of it in ingredients. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Cathy Roma says

      September 26, 2019 at 8:26 pm

      So weird…that was copied over from a different recipe (hot buttered rum). Thanks for catching!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

HEY THERE, I’M CATHY.

My food philosophy is simple: everything in moderation. Sweet, savory, healthy, decadent…food, like life, is all about balance. I rely on my background as a trained chef/mom to create family-friendly recipes that will inspire you to cook, not complicate your life.

Learn More about Cathy

Subscribe now to receive my exclusive guide of How to Stock a Pantry delivered straight to your inbox!

Join the What Should I Make For... Community to learn what to cook to when to achieve a happier, more balanced life.

Trending Posts

  • Close up of breaded chicken breasts cooking in a frying pan. Easy Breaded Chicken Breasts
  • Close up of the best flaky biscuits stacked up on a wooden board. Best Flaky Biscuits
  • Close up of creamy farfalle pasta tossed with mushrooms and sausage in a creamy white wine sauce served in a white bowl. Creamy Pasta with Sausage and Mushrooms
  • Close up shot of a Mexican Mule served in a copper mug garnished with lime and jalapeño slices placed on a wood board with another mug in the background. Mexican Mule
  • Crispy Asian Chicken Wings served on a square plate, sprinkled with sesame seeds, scallion slices, and lime wedges. Crispy Asian Chicken Wings

Featured In...

Featured in Better Homes and Gardens Featured in Cosmopolitan Featured in Elle Decor Featured in Shape Featured in Country Living Featured in Domino

Copywrite © 2020 • What Should I Make For... Privacy Policy • Terms of Service