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This creamy ham tortellini is an easy dinner that you can make in one pan! With cheese tortellini and salty diced ham tossed in a rich and creamy sauce, it’s a 20-minute recipe perfect for weeknights. For extra convenience, make it with leftover ham!
Outside of the holidays, baking a whole glazed ham always leads to a TON of leftovers. This ham and cheese tortellini is one of my most requested leftover ham recipes, right up there with my husband’s favorite ham and bean soup. It’s also one of the best cheese tortellini recipes! This ham tortellini is rich, creamy, super cheesy, and on the table in minutes. It’s great for busy weeknights and the perfect way to use up juicy ham.
Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Ham Tortellini Recipe
- One pan. One-pan meals are the best for busy weeknights, and this one is so easy! It’s ready in 20 minutes and you can use fresh or frozen tortellini, whichever you have on hand.
- Flavorful and creamy. The flavors in this ham tortellini recipe are delicious yet mild, and easy to tailor to kids. Smoky ham, tender cheese-filled tortellini, and onions come together in a garlicky cheese sauce seasoned with a touch of chili flakes. Adapt the seasonings depending on what your family likes!
- Use up leftovers. I love making this easy tortellini in the days after Christmas when we have a bunch of holiday ham in the fridge. Sometimes, though, I’ll buy a ham at the store just to make this recipe. It’s that good!
Don’t you just love tortellini recipes? I almost always have tortellini in my fridge or freezer because it makes for such an easy dinner. You can use cheese-filled like in this recipe, or meat-filled, like this tomato-basil tortellini.
Ingredients You’ll Need
I’ve included some notes on the ingredients below. Be sure to scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post with the full recipe measurements and instructions.
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Ham – Diced leftover baked ham works great in this recipe.
- Garlic
- Tortellini – Use fresh or frozen cheese tortellini or any type of filled tortellini you’d like. Ravioli is another good option.
- Chicken broth – Low-sodium chicken broth or stock is best. You can also use vegetable broth.
- Seasonings – Crushed red pepper gives the sauce a bit of kick, plus salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste.
- Cheese – I use shredded Monterey Jack cheese, but any mild cheddar will do. Make sure to use a melty cheese, grated fresh from the block for the best consistency.
- Heavy cream – Or whole milk, though the sauce may not be as thick and creamy.
- Garnishes – Fresh parsley and parmesan cheese, for optional garnishes.
How to Make Ham and Cheese Tortellini
Cooked all in one pan with garlic, red pepper flakes, cream, and melted cheese, this ham and cheese tortellini recipe is about to become a new favorite! Here’s a quick overview of the steps, with the full details available in the recipe card.
- Sauté the ham and onions. First, add your diced ham to a hot skillet with onions and some oil. Let it cook for a few minutes to soften the onions and get a nice golden crust on the ham.
- Add garlic. Next, add the garlic and cook for just about a minute, until you can start to smell it.
- Combine. Add the cheese tortellini and pour the chicken stock into the skillet. Sprinkle in your red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer the ingredients until the tortellini is cooked through.
- Finish and serve. Lastly, stir in shredded cheese along with the heavy cream. Wait a few minutes for the cheese to melt, then serve your tortellini with a garnish of parsley and parmesan. Leftovers are also great for lunch the next day!
Recipe Tips and Variations
Here are some final tips to make this ham and cheese tortellini recipe even easier:
- Buy frozen diced onions. It’s a serious time saver and perfect for recipes like this cheesy ham tortellini. You don’t need to spend time (and tears) chopping onions.
- Use Pepper Jack cheese. Monterey Jack keeps this recipe mild, but shredded Pepper Jack is a great way to add extra punch to the sauce.
- Add veggies. Add in fresh or frozen vegetables like peas, diced carrots, broccoli, or spinach.
- Seasonings. Change out the red pepper flakes for another spice or seasoning blend. For a milder flavor, try Italian seasoning or paprika. This pork chop seasoning is also tasty.
- Different protein. Technically it won’t be ham tortellini, but you can make this dish with any leftover cooked meat that you have in the fridge. Diced or shredded chicken, chorizo, or pork sausage are more delicious options.
What to Serve With Ham Tortellini
This easy pasta dinner goes well with a side of homemade garlic bread or fluffy dinner rolls paired with bread dipping oil. To lighten the meal, serve your ham tortellini with Caesar salad or a fresh tossed salad. This crunchy broccoli salad with bacon, apples, and almonds also pairs nicely with the flavors in this ham tortellini! Or, choose your favorite vegetable to have as a side, like air fryer carrots or earthy roasted asparagus.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
- Fridge. Leftover ham tortellini stores well and tastes great the following day. Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Reheat the tortellini on the stovetop or in the microwave. Sprinkle in some water or broth to loosen up the cheese sauce.
- Freeze. Freeze your leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Defrost the ham tortellini in the fridge overnight before reheating. Due to the dairy in the cheese sauce, you might notice a change in texture once this tortellini is thawed.
More Ham Recipes
- Creamy Spring Gnocchi
- Ham and Cheese Sliders
- Ham and Cheese Biscuits
- Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta
- Ham and Split Pea Soup
- Crispy Chicken Cordon Bleu
Ham Tortellini
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
- 2 cups diced ham, approximately 1 pound
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1 pound package frozen cheese tortellini
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
Optional Topping
- Fresh Parsley
- Shredded Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
- In a large skillet heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add ham and onions, saute for 5-6 minutes until onions are tender and the ham is lightly browned.
- Stir in garlic, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add tortellini, chicken broth, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, cover reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 8-10 minutes until tortellini is cooked.
- Stir in cheese and heavy cream until melted.
- Serve immediately with toppings if desired
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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This was the first time my kids had tortellini. They absolutely loved this recipe. So did I!
I made the Ham Tortellini for dinner last night, and it was an absolute delight! The savory ham paired with the creamy sauce and tortellini was a match made in heaven!