Ham and Cheese Tortellini
30 Comments
Posted: 01/20/20
Updated: 09/04/21
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Looking for a quick and easy dinner recipe that the entire family will love? This Ham and Cheese Tortellini is the answer! It’s super simple to make and it’s always a hit. Loaded with tortellini noodles, ham, cheese, peas. Plus, if you have leftover ham it’s perfect for using that up. Make this easy dinner tonight!
A creamy, cheesy sauce + tortellini + ham and peas = your new favorite easy dinner recipe! I’m not kidding with this one, guys – this Ham and Cheese Tortellini is one of my favorite go-to dinners I’ve been making for a long time. It’s family-friendly, so comforting, and a perfect dinner for busy weeknights.
My husband flipped when I made this the first time. Let me just say when he saw all the cheese piled on the cutting board his eyes lit up as he said, “Wow! If it has that much cheese it’s gotta be good!”. He loves anything with cheese, that’s for sure, like my Macaroni and Cheese and Cheesy Italian Pasta and Meatballs, too!
I love the combination of ham and cheese and you get a double-dose of the cheese with this one! The sauce is a combination of cream cheese and Romano cheese and the tortellini is stuffed with cheese so every bite is rich and flavorful. Add in the savory ham (perfect for using up leftover ham!) and sweet green peas and you get a really comforting dinner that everyone will love!
Ingredients for Ham and Cheese Tortellini
- We’re going super simple with the pasta and using a package of refrigerated cheese tortellini.
- The sauce is made with butter, flour, fat-free milk and half and half. You’ll also need some cream cheese for the sauce – it makes the sauce so creamy and rich! I like to cube it first so it’s easier to incorporate into the sauce when it’s time to add it.
- The sauce is seasoned with dried basil, garlic powder and black pepper.
- For the ham, you can buy packages of diced ham or this is a great recipe to use up leftover ham, too!
- Don’t forget the green peas!
- For an extra cheesy touch, I like to add some grated Romano cheese, too.
It’s a good idea to have all of your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start. This recipe goes pretty quick!
How to Make the Sauce
I boil the tortellini in a separate pot while I make the sauce in a large non-stick pan:
- First, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and stir until it combined. This will help thicken your sauce! (Picture 1)
- Add the milk and half and stir until it combines with the butter and flour mixture and it creates a smooth sauce. (Picture 2)
- Bring the sauce to a boil for about one minute, stirring continuously, until the sauce has thickened. (Picture 3)
That’s all there is for the creamy sauce!
Bring It All Together
Once the sauce is made there are just a couple (easy!) steps to go!
- Add the seasonings, cubed cream cheese, peas and diced ham to the sauce. Stir it all together until the cream cheese has melted and the sauce is nice and creamy. (Picture 4 & 5)
- Add the cooked tortellini and grated Romano cheese, stir it all until the pasta is evenly coated and serve! (Picture 6)
Ever since I made this Ham and Cheese Tortellini the first time my husband requests it all the time! He can’t get enough of the cheesy goodness and I love it because it’s so easy to make! Here are some favorite side dishes I like to make to go with it so you can make it a complete meal:
- Not gonna lie. Sometimes we love ALL the carbs and I’ll make a batch of copy-cat Olive Garden breadsticks. They are perfect for soaking up all the creamy sauce!
- If I want to keep things light, I’ll add some roasted vegetables as a healthy vegetable side dish.
More Pasta Dinner Recipes
We love our pasta around here – I think my family could eat it every night! Be sure to check out some of our other favorite recipes, too.
- Serve my Crockpot Swedish Meatballs over egg noodles for a hearty, comforting dinner!
- Who doesn’t love Spaghetti and Meatballs? My version is so easy to make and so delicious.
- My One Pot Taco Pasta is always a hit and a great way to switch up Taco Tuesday!
- Chicken Alfredo Lasagna Roll-Ups are one of my favorite freezer-friendly pasta dishes. It’s a great make-ahead dinner!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Ham & Cheese Tortellini
Quick and easy dinner recipe loaded with ham, cheese, peas and tortellini!
Video
Ingredients
- 19 oz cheese tortellini frozen
- 1 c. peas
- 1/4 c. butter
- 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 c. fat-free milk
- 1/4 c. half and half cream
- 1 1/2 c. cubed fully cooked lean ham
- 4 ounces fat free cream cheese cubed
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/2 c. grated Romano cheese
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, cook tortellini according to package directions.
- In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth; gradually add milk and cream. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1 minute or until thickened.
- Add the ham, peas, basil, garlic powder, and pepper; cook and stir until cream cheese is melted. Mix in grated cheese. Drain tortellini; add to pan and heat through.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 626kcal (31%), Carbohydrates: 59g (20%), Protein: 37g (74%), Fat: 27g (42%), Saturated Fat: 13g (81%), Cholesterol: 122mg (41%), Sodium: 1584mg (69%), Potassium: 260mg (7%), Fiber: 6g (25%), Sugar: 10g (11%), Vitamin A: 870IU (17%), Vitamin C: 16mg (19%), Calcium: 451mg (45%), Iron: 4mg (22%)
Adapted from: Taste of Home
craig says
sounds like lisa has no taste buds
Lisa says
This is okay. I really had to add more milk to this recipe. Also a bit bland. I added crushed red pepper and paprika and it really helped.
Jill says
Everyone in my family lives this dish! A great way to use up leftover Easter ham.
Julie Evink says
So glad you enjoyed it Jill! Thanks for commenting and rating the recipe!