After a crazy, stressful and busy week, nothing sounds better than a quick and comforting bowl of Tortellini Pasta in Mushroom Spinach Cream Sauce. This quick and easy weeknight pasta recipe is perfect for those hectic days when you don’t feel like putting a lot of effort into dinner, but don’t want to settle for a ho-hum meal again.
So, we had quite the whirlwind of a week with a lot of still unanswered questions. Last weekend we noticed Baby Girl (what I call our beagle, Baylee) squinting only her left eye when she was outside. Naturally we figured she had injured her eye somehow so we brought her to the vet for an examination. After a few tests, our vet determined that her left eye was actually perfectly fine, but her right eye was not reacting when he brought his hands/fingers within a very close proximity of her eye. He set up an appointment for us to see a pet eye specialist to see if she had somehow lost her vision in her right eye. After more tests at the eye specialist, it was determined that she can in fact see out of her eye, but she is unable to blink or close her eye due to facial nerve paralysis (hence her squinting only the left eye in the sun).
Now it’s off to a pet neurologist on Monday for more tests to figure out what in the world is going on with our poor little pup. The eye specialist assured us that she is not in distress, and thankfully she is acting as if nothing is wrong. She creepily sleeps with one eye open and we have to give her eye drops three times a day to keep her eye lubricated, but other than that, she is still the same silly, playful, snugly and stubborn beagle she has always been. Here’s to hoping the neurologist has some answers and a remedy for this very strange, crazy and scary nerve condition.
That being said, I wanted nothing more than to chill out and relax all day yesterday. This Tortellini Pasta in Mushroom Spinach Cream Sauce was the perfect option because it was ready in no time, and was perfectly creamy, delicious and comforting.
Growing up, my sister and I LOVED cheese tortellini with alfredo sauce. It was always such a treat when we got to eat it for lunch or dinner. It was, and still is, one of my absolute favorite types of pasta. I would dip mine in Catalina dressing (my mom’s crazy but delicious concoction) and devour the whole bowl. I see you silently judging me. Don’t knock it till you try it!
This Tortellini Pasta in Mushroom Spinach Cream Sauce is a grown-up version of my childhood favorite (don’t worry, there’s no Catalina dressing in this recipe) and is a great way to sneak in those veggies. Even AJ, who notoriously dislikes pasta, thought this dish was delicious. Also worth noting, he didn’t even complain about the lack of meat in this meal and even stated that it was perfectly creamy with the right amount of heat. #winning
Originally I was going to use up some spinach ravioli we have in the freezer and make a creamy mushroom sauce to go with it, but when I passed the tortellini on my hunt for Parmesan cheese at the grocery store, I immediately decided to change up my recipe. Since I was missing the spinach in the ravioli, I decided to add spinach to my mushroom cream sauce and voila, mushroom spinach cream sauce! SO GOOD!
I still need to figure out how to use up those raviolis, but I am perfectly satisfied with my decision to try this Tortellini Pasta in Mushroom Spinach Cream Sauce instead. Give this pasta a try, I know you will love it too!
Cook cheese tortellini to package instructions
While pasta is cooking, heat 1 tbsp of butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and saute for 5-6 minutes, or until softened. Set aside.
Add the remaining 2 tbsp of butter, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes and cook for about 1 minute. Add the flour and stir until it forms a paste. Cook 1-2 minutes, careful not to burn the flour. Turn the heat down to medium.
Slowly pour in the milk and stir constantly so no lumps form. Continue stirring until the mixture thickens slightly, about 3-4 minutes. Add the cream cheese and continue stirring until smooth.
Add the grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and salt and pepper, stir until combined.
Add in the fresh spinach, cooked mushrooms and cooked tortellini and stir until the spinach has wilted.
Serve immediately.
Enjoy!
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Brie | 28th Jan 18
Just made this recipe to a T and it came out really REALLY good! Comes together fairly quick and is perfect for weeknight meals you want done in less than 30 minutes!
Lauren | 28th Jan 18
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe! 🙂 It is one of my favorite easy meals for sure!