Tortellini with prosciutto in a sweet and sour sauce
I made this recipe one evening when I didn't feel like spending much time in the kitchen, but I wanted something warm and filling. I had a box of tortellini with prosciutto, a bit of sweet and sour sauce, some butter, and a tablespoon of tomato paste. It turned out to be a quick dinner that doesn't require much preparation. It's perfect if you're looking for something hearty, with a slightly different taste from classic pasta, and you don't mind heating up the oven for a few minutes.
Quick Info
Total Time: approximately 40 minutes
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking and Baking Time: 25-30 minutes
Servings: 2-3, depending on everyone's appetite
Difficulty: easy
Recipe Type: quick pasta dinner, good for lunch too
Ingredients
250 g tortellini with prosciutto (ready to cook, fresh or from a refrigerated package)
400 g Uncle Ben’s sweet and sour sauce (or another similar sweet and sour sauce, preferably the classic version, not the one with extra ingredients)
1 tablespoon tomato paste
salt (to taste)
pepper (to taste)
butter for greasing the dish (about 10-15 g, enough to cover the bottom and edges of the dish)
Instructions
1. Bring water to a boil in a pot, add salt, and when it boils, add the tortellini. Cook for about 8 minutes or as indicated on the package. Test to ensure they're done, not too soft.
2. Drain the pasta and quickly rinse it under cold water. Let it drain in a colander for a few minutes while you prepare the sauce.
3. Pour the sweet and sour sauce into a small saucepan, add the tablespoon of tomato paste, and heat it up. Bring it to a brief boil, then let it cool slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste. I usually taste a bit and add pepper at the end.
4. Grease a heatproof dish with butter, including the edges, to prevent the pasta from sticking.
5. Pour 2-3 tablespoons of sauce into the prepared dish and spread it across the bottom.
6. Arrange the tortellini in an even layer, without overcrowding them too much.
7. Pour the remaining sauce over them, enough to cover them somewhat. They don’t need to be completely covered, but the sauce should reach everywhere.
8. Place the dish in the preheated oven at 180°C. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
9. When the time is up, remove the dish and drizzle 10-15 drops of oil on top (I use sunflower or canola oil, but any neutral oil works).
10. Return to the oven for another 5 minutes.
11. Remove and let the dish cool for 5 minutes before serving.
12. Serve directly from the dish, possibly with a glass of dry white or red wine.
Why I Make This Recipe Often
It uses readily available ingredients and doesn't take much time. If I have the pasta and sauce in the fridge, I don’t have to worry about anything else. Baking gives a nice texture, and the sweet and sour sauce adds a slight twist to the classic pasta flavor.
Tips and Variations
Tips
Don't rinse the pasta too much under cold water, just enough to prevent sticking.
If the sauce seems too thick, you can add a tablespoon of the water used to boil the pasta.
Use a ceramic or heatproof glass dish to prevent the sauce from burning on the edges.
Substitutions
Tortellini with prosciutto can be swapped for any other stuffed tortellini variety if you can't find the prosciutto version.
The sweet and sour sauce can be replaced with any other sauce you like (simple tomato sauce, vegetable sauce).
If you don't have tomato paste, you can skip it, but the sauce will be more flavorful with it.
Variations
You can sprinkle a bit of dried oregano or basil on top if you want an extra flavor.
If you like to add something crunchy, you can sprinkle some breadcrumbs on top in the last 5 minutes of baking.
Grated cheese (parmesan, cheddar) can be added, but it's not required in the basic recipe.
Serving Ideas
It goes well with a simple salad, not too heavy, or just with toasted bread.
If you like, you can serve it with a glass of dry white wine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen tortellini?
Yes, just boil them according to the instructions on the package before putting them in the oven.
Do I have to use Uncle Ben's sweet and sour sauce?
You can use any sweet and sour sauce you like or have on hand. The recipe works with other types of sauce if you want to change the flavor.
Can I add cheese on top?
It's not included in the original recipe, but if you want, you can add some grated parmesan or cheddar before the last 5 minutes in the oven.
Can it be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge?
Yes, but the pasta may absorb the sauce and dry out when reheating. It's best fresh, but it can be stored in the fridge for 1 day, covered.
Nutritional Values
Approximately, for one serving (out of 2-3 servings):
Calories: about 470-550 kcal
Protein: 14-18 g
Carbohydrates: 70-80 g
Fat: 10-16 g
Values vary depending on the type of tortellini and sauce used. It's a meal higher in carbohydrates and quite filling.
Storage and Reheating
The dish can be stored in the fridge, covered, for up to 24 hours. When reheating, the pasta will absorb more sauce and dry out a bit, but if you add 1-2 tablespoons of water and heat it in the oven or microwave, it comes back quite well. It's best on the day it's made.
The pasta is boiled in salted water for about 8 minutes. It is rinsed under cold water and left to drain. The sauce is heated in a small pot, tomato paste is added, brought to a boil, and then allowed to cool. It is seasoned with salt and pepper. A heat-resistant dish is greased with butter, and 2-3 tablespoons of sauce are placed in it. The pasta is added, followed by the remaining sauce. It is placed in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. Finally, I drizzled 10-15 drops of oil on top and left it in the oven for another 5 minutes. It is left to cool for 5 minutes and served. Enjoy your meal! Any sauce you like can be used. Other spices can be added if you wish.
Ingredients: 250g tortellini with prosciutto, 400g sweet and sour sauce Uncle Ben's, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, salt, pepper, butter for greasing
