Kids Pasta Recipe
Cheese tortellini & penne pasta tossed with your choice of garlic butter, alfredo sauce or marinara sauce. Topped with parmesan cheese.
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Ingredients
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Pasta & Cheese
Sauce options (choose one)
Garlic butter sauce (if chosen)
Alfredo sauce (if chosen)
Marinara sauce (if chosen)
Finishing
Method
Pasta & Cheese
- 1
Boil pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water (about 4–5 liters) to a rolling boil. Add the penne and cook according to package directions for al dente (usually 9–11 minutes). Three minutes before the penne is done, add the cheese tortellini to the same pot and finish cooking together so tortellini and penne are ready at the same time. Stir gently to prevent sticking.
- 2
Before draining, reserve 1/4 cup (about 60 ml) of the starchy pasta water. Drain pasta and tortellini in a colander and set aside briefly.
Garlic butter sauce (if chosen)
- 3
Make garlic butter
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add 1 clove minced garlic and cook 30–45 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Add 1 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper (optional) and stir.
- 4
Add drained pasta and tortellini to the skillet, toss to coat. If the mixture seems dry, add up to 1/4 cup reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time until glossy and coated. Cook 1–2 minutes so pasta absorbs sauce.
- 5
Turn off heat, sprinkle 2 tablespoons grated parmesan over pasta, and toss once more. Transfer to plates and top each serving with remaining 1 tablespoon parmesan and optional chopped parsley.
Alfredo sauce (if chosen)
- 6
Make quick alfredo
In a saucepan over medium-low heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add 1/2 clove minced garlic and cook 20–30 seconds. Pour in 1/2 cup heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
- 7
Lower heat and whisk in 1/2 cup grated parmesan until smooth. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper (optional). If sauce is too thick, loosen with 1–2 tablespoons reserved pasta water.
- 8
Add drained penne and tortellini to the sauce, tossing gently to coat. Heat together 1 minute so pasta warms through and sauce clings. Plate and sprinkle remaining 1 tablespoon parmesan and optional parsley on top.
Marinara sauce (if chosen)
- 9
- 10
Add drained penne and tortellini to the skillet and toss gently to coat, adding 1–4 tablespoons reserved pasta water if needed to thin and help sauce cling. Cook together 1–2 minutes to heat through.
- 11
Plate and sprinkle 3 tablespoons grated parmesan over the top and garnish with optional parsley.
Finishing
- 12
Serve immediately while hot. Offer extra grated parmesan, black pepper, or a small side of steamed vegetables or fruit for a complete kids' meal.
