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Ricotta Tortellini

This elegant vegetarian pasta dish features delicate, homemade tortellini filled with a creamy ricotta and herb centre. The combination of fresh flat-leaf parsley, citrusy lemon zest, and a hint of warming nutmeg creates a sophisticated flavour profile that is perfectly balanced by the richness of the Parmesan. Making your own pasta from scratch is a rewarding process, and these little parcels of joy are far superior to any shop-bought alternative.

Perfect for a weekend project or a special dinner party, this recipe is surprisingly manageable for home cooks. The tortellini can be prepared up to six hours in advance and chilled until you are ready to dine, leaving you more time to spend with your guests. Serve them simply in warmed bowls with a generous drizzle of melted butter and a final grating of salty Parmesan for a truly comforting and authentic Italian experience.

Continue reading below

Ingredients for Ricotta Tortellini

  • 575g whole-milk ricotta

  • 2/3 cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley

  • 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan

  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest

  • 1/4 teaspoons fine sea salt

  • 250g plain flour

  • 3 large eggs

  • 1/2 teaspoons fine sea salt plus more

  • 1 large egg white, beaten

  • 1/ 900g (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted

  • Finely grated Parmesan for serving

  • Stand mixer

  • Pasta machine

  • 1 3" round biscuit cutter

Mash all ingredients in a medium bowl until well blended and smooth. Cover and chill while preparing dough.

Place first 3 ingredients in bowl of a stand mixer with a dough hook. Mix at low speed until dough pulls away from side of bowl, about 4 minutes. Place on work surface; knead until smooth, adding water by teaspoonfuls if dry, 2-3 minutes (dough is fairly stiff). Divide in 4, flatten, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.

Working with 1 dough round at a time, run dough through widest setting of a pasta machine. Fold in half; run through machine. Repeat 7 times. Roll through machine without folding, decreasing width setting after each roll, until 1/16" thick. Transfer to a floured surface.

Using a 3" biscuit cutter, cut dough into circles. Spoon 1 rounded teaspoonful of filling into centre of each dough. Brush edges lightly with egg white; fold over and press to seal, forming a half-moon shape. Fold and press tips together, moistening with egg white to seal. Transfer to a lightly floured rimmed baking sheet. DO AHEAD: Can be made 6 hours ahead. Cover and chill.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season with salt; add tortelloni. Simmer, stirring gently, until cooked through, 2-3 minutes after they begin to float. Using a slotted spoon, divide tortelloni among bowls. Drizzle melted butter over and serve with cheese.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 28 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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