What Sauce Goes with Beef Tortellini? (10 Best Sauces)
It’s a fact: pasta is the ultimate comfort food.
But it can get boring if you eat it the same way every time.
If you’re tired of your typical tomato sauce and want to try something new, you’ve come to the right place.
Today we’re talking about what sauces go with beef tortellini.
Beef tortellini are delicious, but they can be made even better with a great sauce.
The best part about this dish is that it’s incredibly versatile, so there are tons of different sauces that will work!
What sauces go with beef tortellini?
Here are our 10 favorites:
What Sauce Goes with Beef Tortellini?
A light tomato-based pasta sauce, such as marinara, would be the perfect sauce for a simple dish like beef tortellini. The bright, tangy flavors of the pasta and tomato sauce would work together perfectly.
Craving some delicious beef tortellini?
Whether you’re looking for a little something extra to bring out the flavor, or you just want to try something different, these sauces can really hit the spot!
1. Marinara
The best sauces are often the simplest.
A marinara sauce is a classic, because it can be made at home with just a few ingredients, and it pairs well with many different types of pasta (and even pizza!).
It also has a fairly neutral flavor, which allows it to pair well with beef tortellini without overwhelming the meaty flavors of the beef filling in the pasta.
2. Bolognese
Why is Bolognese sauce so great with beef tortellini?
Because it’s so rich and heavy.
It’s the ideal partner for a lighter pasta dish like this one, because it won’t overpower it—instead, it will add just enough richness to complement the beef tortellini without masking its flavor.
To make a simple Bolognese:
- Start with a heavy bottomed pan.
- Add 1 tablespoon of oil. Heat over medium heat.
- Add minced onion, carrot and celery, and saute until the vegetables are tender.
- Add in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned. Once the meat is browned, add in tomato paste, red wine and stir to incorporate the ingredients. Bring to a simmer, then add in tomatoes (either crushed or diced).
- Continue to simmer until cook through (approximately 45 minutes).
3. Alfredo
Alfredo sauce is one of the best options when it comes to pairing sauces with beef tortellini.
This is because it’s creamy and a little bit cheesy, which goes perfectly with the cheesy inside of the tortellini as well as the rich, meaty flavor.
To make Alfredo sauce:
- Melt butter in a pan
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant
- Add flour to create a roux and mix until combined
- Slowly add milk to create a sauce
- Season with salt and pepper to taste and enjoy!
4. Vodka sauce
Vodka sauce pairs well with beef tortellini because it’s sweet and rich, with a lot of body.
If you’re about to watch the Golden Globes, this is the prime time to serve up this vodka sauce.
It’s light enough that you can eat it by itself, but rich enough that you won’t feel like you’re missing out.
And because it’s made with fresh vegetables and herbs, it’s light on your stomach too—just what a good girl needs after all those carbs from the pasta!
5. Creamed Spinach Sauce
This sauce is a good pairing with beef tortellini because it adds flavor without overpowering the taste of the pasta.
The light garlic and lemon notes complement the creamy texture of the spinach, and this all blends nicely with the taste of beef tortellini.
To make creamed spinach sauce, you will need:
- 2 cups of heavy cream
- 1 cup of frozen chopped spinach
- 1 tablespoon of chopped garlic
- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
- salt to taste and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Begin by heating 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium heat until melted.
- Add the chopped garlic and cook for one minute.
- Stir in the cream and let simmer for two minutes.
- Add in the frozen spinach and continue to cook for 10 minutes.
- Then add in salt and pepper to your liking, along with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
- Let this simmer for another 5 minutes before serving over beef tortellini.
6. Fresh Herb Sauce
You know what they say: if you cook with fresh herbs, you can’t go wrong.
Fresh herb sauce is made with basil, rosemary, chives, and parsley—a combo that is sure to give your dish a gorgeous green color and an incredible flavor.
The earthiness of the rosemary and the slight spiciness of the basil will pair well with the meat you have in your beef tortellini.
If you’re looking for something that’s not as creamy as Alfredo (but still tastes great), this might be the option for you!
7. Cajun Sauce
As far as we’re concerned, there’s no way to go wrong when you’re pairing beef tortellini with Cajun sauce.
This combination is guaranteed to be a hit with everyone who tries it!
The slight spice and heat of the Cajun sauce will bring out the richness and fullness of the beef.
Add some fresh herbs, like basil or oregano, to tie in the flavors even more.
And voila!
You’ve got an easy, delicious meal that’s sure to be a hit with everyone at your table!
8. Mushroom Gravy
When you think of the classic pasta pairing, beef tortellini and mushroom gravy might not be the first combo that comes to mind.
But we think if you try it, you’ll be surprised at how well they pair together.
Mushroom gravy brings a tart, earthy flavor that complements the bright, peppery notes in our beef tortellini.
Plus, there’s something about the texture of mushroom gravy that pairs well with the meaty consistency of our beef tortellini.
Try topping your beef tortellini with mushroom gravy and a sprinkling of parmesan cheese for a twist on a classic!
9. Garlic cream sauce
Garlic cream sauce and beef tortellini is an unlikely pairing—unless you have a taste for the unexpected.
The pasta is made of sturdy noodles with meat inside and an egg yolk center, while the sauce is creamy, with a hint of garlic.
The pasta offers a strong, savory flavor while the sauce adds a lighter, more delicate touch.
Together, they balance each other out, making sure the richness of one isn’t overwhelming.
- To pair these two together, simply cook the pasta to your liking and create the garlic cream sauce.
- Then, use a slotted spoon to take the tortellini from the water and place it in a bowl.
- Use a ladle to add some of the cream sauce to the tortellini.
It’s that simple!
10. White Wine Sauce
The subtle flavors of white wine bring out the natural richness of beef tortellini without overpowering it.
You can make your own or find a great store-bought option—either way, you’ll have a winner on your hands!
10 Sauces That Go with Beef Tortellini
Ingredients
- Marinara
- Bolognese
- Alfredo
- Vodka sauce
- Creamed Spinach Sauce
- Fresh Herb Sauce
- Cajun Sauce
- Mushroom Gravy
- Garlic cream sauce
- White Wine Sauce
Instructions
- Pick a sauce from this list to serve with your meal.
- Prepare the ingredients according to the recipe.
- Enjoy your dinner in no time!
Hi, I'm Benjamin. I love cooking, long walks, and my girlfriend! Here you’ll find simple and delicious recipes that you can make in 30 minutes or less.