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Homemade Cheese Tortellini

Tender pasta pockets filled with a rich ricotta and Parmesan mixture, tossed in sage-infused brown butter for a simple yet elegant Italian dish.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 28 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 285

Ingredients
  

Pasta Dough
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Warm water as needed
Ricotta Filling
  • 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Zest of 1 small lemon
For Serving
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 8 to 10 fresh sage leaves
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Rolling pin or pasta machine
  • Circular cookie cutter or pasta cutter (2.5 to 3 inches)
  • Small bowl for sealing water
  • Fork or pastry brush
  • Large pot for boiling
  • Wooden spoon or pasta fork
  • Slotted spoon or wire strainer
  • Large skillet for sauce

Method
 

  1. On a clean work surface, mound the flour into a circle and create a well in the center.
  2. Crack the eggs into the well, add salt and olive oil, then use a fork to beat the eggs and draw flour from the edges until roughly combined.
  3. Knead the dough by hand for about 10 minutes until it is smooth, elastic, and slightly sticky, adding warm water one tablespoon at a time if too dry.
  4. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap or cover with an inverted bowl and let it rest at room temperature for 15 minutes.
  5. While the dough rests, combine the ricotta, Parmesan, parsley, egg yolk, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and lemon zest in a bowl and mix gently.
  6. Divide the rested dough into quarters, keep three portions covered, and flatten one quarter into a thin disk.
  7. Roll the disk with a rolling pin or pasta machine until it is about the thickness of a dime.
  8. Use a 2.5 to 3 inch cutter to cut circles from the dough, place 1 teaspoon of filling in the center of each, wet the edges, and fold into a half moon to seal.
  9. Bring the two pointed ends of the half moon together and press to form the tortellini shape, then place on a floured baking sheet; repeat with remaining dough.
  10. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil, then add the tortellini and cook until they float plus 2 to 3 minutes.
  11. While the tortellini cook, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat, add the sage leaves, and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant and browned.
  12. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked tortellini from the water directly into the skillet with sage butter, toss gently, then season with Parmesan, salt, and pepper before serving immediately.

Notes

Reserve a cup of pasta cooking water to thin the sauce if needed; uncooked tortellini can be frozen for up to 3 months.