Do you know one of the most delicious and traditional sauces to accompany stuffed pasta? Forget about store-bought jars of sauce, because today I bring you a true homemade gem: some irresistible tortellini with cream, ham, and peas.
This dish is an absolute classic of homemade Italian gastronomy, perfect for solving a meal quickly without sacrificing spectacular flavor. In this recipe, I will show you my personal tricks to achieve a super creamy texture and prevent the sauce from becoming a thick “clump.”
We will use some good tortellini stuffed with meat, a quality cooked ham that we will cut into small cubes ourselves, and light cooking cream to bind everything to perfection.
It’s time to enjoy yourself in the kitchen!
Let’s go for it!
Index
Watch the video with all the steps
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Main ingredients
For 2 people
⏱ Preparation time: 10 min
⏱ Cooking time: 15 min
- 250 g meat tortellini
- 125 g peas (can be frozen)
- 1/2 thick slice of cooked ham
- 150 ml cooking cream
- 1/2 onion
- 40 g parmesan (optional)
- A handful of crispy fried onions
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Remember: At the end of the article, you will find the complete recipe card with detailed cooking and preparation times.
How to prepare tortellini with cream, ham, and peas
The base sauté and the peas
In a large pan, add a good drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and sauté the finely chopped onion with a pinch of salt. Cook over very low heat, poaching the onion gently. Add a splash of water so it doesn’t burn and stays very tender. Meanwhile, heat plenty of salted water in a pot to boil the meat tortellini.
The pea cream trick
Once the water boils, add the peas to the pan with the onion. Here comes the trick: take approximately one-third of the poached peas, put them in a blender cup with a splash of the pasta cooking water and a drizzle of olive oil. Blend with an immersion blender until you get a bright green and smooth cream. Reserve this cream for the final plating.
The ham and the cream
Cut the thick slice of cooked ham into small cubes. Avoid buying pre-cut cubes; you will notice a big difference in the quality and the result of the dish. Add the ham to the whole peas remaining in the pan and sauté for just 30 seconds. Next, pour in the cooking cream, mix well, and taste to adjust the salt if necessary.
Mixing the pasta and plating
Cook the tortellini following the time indicated on the package. When they are ready, drain them, but always save a little of the cooking water. Add the pasta to the pan with the cream and pea sauce, and pour in a little of the reserved water. Mix carefully so that the sauce binds well and does not become thick. Add a touch of black pepper.
To serve, place a few dots of the pea cream on the bottom of the plate, serve the tortellini on top, and add the secret ingredient: a small handful of crispy fried onions to give it a spectacular texture contrast.
Tricks and tips for a perfect result
Don’t throw away the cooking water
The water where the pasta boils is full of starch and is a super fundamental ingredient. Adding a splash to the pan at the last moment helps the cream and juices form a silky sauce, preventing it from becoming a clumped block.
Cut the ham yourself
Buying a thick slice of good quality cooked ham and cutting it into small cubes at home makes a big difference. It provides better flavor and texture to your tortellini with cream, ham, and peas.
The parmesan cheese debate
For many purists, parmesan should not be mixed with dishes that contain cream. However, in home cooking, personal taste rules. If you love cheese, add a little grated parmesan on top at the end; it gives it a delicious salty touch!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen peas for this recipe?
Yes, frozen peas work perfectly well to prepare the sauce. You just need to cook them directly in the pan with the poached onion.
What type of tortellini is best for this sauce?
The traditional recipe and the one that best combines with cream, ham, and peas is meat-stuffed tortellini.
Why add crispy fried onions?
It is a secret ingredient that does not belong to the classic recipe, but it provides a very pleasant crunchy contrast against the smooth texture of the cream and pasta.
Related recipes you will love
If you like comforting and traditional Italian pasta recipes, here are other suggestions to enjoy:
- Tortellini in brodo: the traditional Christmas recipe served in a delicious meat broth.
- Pasta Amatriciana: a great Roman classic with tomato, guanciale, and lots of flavor.
- Fresh egg pasta: learn to prepare your own homemade pasta step by step.
Enjoy your tortellini with cream, ham, and peas!
With simple ingredients and a little love, you can create delicious and very complete dishes in a short time.
Go ahead and prepare it at home and tell me in the comments how it turned out and if you added parmesan cheese.
If you liked this recipe, subscribe to my YouTube channel and Instagram to discover more authentic Italian dishes.
Leave a comment with your impressions and share your photos on social media. I would love to see your creations!
Bon appétit!
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The card
Tortellini with cream, ham, and peas
Ingredients
- 250 g meat tortellini
- 125 g frozen or fresh peas
- ½ thick slice of cooked ham
- 150 ml cooking cream
- ½ onion
- 40 g parmesan
- 1 drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 handful of crispy fried onions
Instructions
- Bring plenty of salted water to a boil for the pasta
- Add the peas to the pan with the sautéed onion
- Blend a third of the peas with some cooking water and oil to make a cream
- Cut the cooked ham into small cubes
- Add the ham to the pan and sauté for thirty seconds
- Pour the cooking cream into the pan and adjust the salt
- Cook the tortellini in the boiling water
- Drain the pasta, reserving a little of the cooking water
- Add the tortellini to the sauce with the reserved water and mix carefully
- Plate with dots of pea cream on the bottom
- Serve the pasta on top and add black pepper
- Garnish with crispy fried onions and parmesan to taste
Video
What I use to record my videos
The heart of my setup. A mirrorless camera designed specifically for vlogging. It offers exceptional 4K video quality and real-time eye autofocus that ensures the image is always sharp, even while I'm cooking or moving around.
Versatility in every shot. This zoom lens is compact and lightweight, ideal for switching between wide shots of the kitchen and close-ups of ingredients. Its built-in optical image stabilization helps make handheld shots much smoother.
Cinematic stability. A professional gimbal that eliminates any image shake. It includes an integrated LED fill light and an ergonomic design that allows you to record creative angles with total smoothness.
Impeccable audio and ultra-compact design. The successor to the popular M1. These microphones are incredibly small and powerful, offering advanced noise cancellation that captures your voice with crystal clarity, eliminating ambient kitchen noise.
The perfect lighting. This 19-inch ring light lets you adjust the color temperature to always achieve a natural skin tone. It's the key to eliminating harsh shadows and giving every shot that professional look.
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