Creamy Tortellini With Sun Dried Tomato,Spinach, And Mozzarella

This tortellini with sun dried tomatoes, spinach, mozzarella, and fresh basil are so delicious together and the creamy sauce is just perfect, so many great flavors and everyone loved it, no need to go to any fancy restaurants when you have this meal, my family said WOW..so I knew it was a huge hit.
Very easy to make in less then 30 minutes you will impress everyone with this. This is so fresh tasting and a light meal, the sauce is not thick and heavy, just perfect. I saw this and I knew we would all love it. This recipe would even be great for a crowd if you are making large trays of hot dishes. try it you will make it over and over again just like we do..

Ingredients:

• 1/2 heaping cup Julianne cut sun dried tomatoes in oil in a jar, If you cannot find the Julianne cut sun dried tomatoes then use what you can find and slice them
• 2 tablespoons olive oil from sun-dried tomatoes
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 6 ounces bag fresh baby spinach 
• 2 2/3 cups half and half
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 8 fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 4 cups tortellini, uncooked 
• 1/2 cup pasta water, optional: only use the pasta water if sauce looks a little dry, if you make earlier and have to reheat.  I added it in anyway
• Parmesan Cheese for topping 

Directions:

              

1. In a large skillet on medium heat add 2 Tablespoons of the sun-dried tomatoe oil and the sun dried tomatoes saute for about 1-2 minutes, then add garlic and saute for a minute or until fragrant. Add baby spinach and continue cooking and stirring on medium heat until spinach just starts to wilt. Add the half and half, salt, paprika and bring to boil, reduce heat to simmer and add the mozzarella cheese then stir until the mozzarella is melted and smooth, add 1/2 cup of pasta water then add chopped fresh basil.
2. Cook tortellini according to package instructions. Drain, rinse pasta, add a drizzle of olive oil salt and pepper to taste.
3. Add the cooked tortellini to the sauce, stir to coat and until warm. You can add more salt and pepper if needed at this point, 
4. Serve warm and top with Parmesan cheese. 

Recipe and photo source slightly adapted from:http://juliasalbum.com/2016/05/creamy-mozzarella-sun-dried-tomato-basil-spinach-tortellini/