Velveeta Chicken Tortellini with Mozzarella Garlic Sauce
Velveeta Chicken Tortellini with Mozzarella Garlic Sauce is a creamy, cheesy comfort dish combining tender chicken, delicate cheese tortellini, and a luscious mozzarella garlic sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this rich and indulgent meal is perfect for cozy dinners or family-friendly occasions, delivering irresistible creaminess and savory flavors with ease.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if gluten-free tortellini is used)
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Blend
- 8 oz Velveeta cheese, cut into cubes
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Protein
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, bite-sized pieces
Pasta
- 12 oz cheese tortellini (store-bought or homemade)
Sauce
- 3–4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Reserved pasta water, as needed to thin sauce
Optional Garnishes and Add-ins
- Fresh parsley or basil, chopped
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeños (for spice)
- Chopped bell peppers, zucchini, or sun-dried tomatoes (for extra veggies)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cook bite-sized chicken breast pieces in a skillet with a touch of olive oil over medium heat until golden and fully cooked. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Remove and set aside.
- Cook the Tortellini: Boil the cheese tortellini according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving some pasta water, and set aside.
- Create the Mozzarella Garlic Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter and gently sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Slowly add heavy cream, then stir in Velveeta cubes and shredded mozzarella cheese, stirring constantly until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine and Season: Return the cooked chicken and tortellini to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything to coat evenly. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to taste. If the sauce is too thick, thin with a little reserved pasta water.
- Final Touches: Let the mixture cook together for a couple of minutes to meld the flavors. Serve immediately hot and cheesy, garnished as desired.
Notes
- Use room temperature cheese for faster melting and a silkier sauce.
- Do not overcook tortellini; al dente texture prevents mushiness.
- Fresh garlic delivers bolder, fresher flavor compared to pre-minced.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
- Serve immediately as the sauce thickens upon cooling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 25g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: Velveeta, chicken tortellini, mozzarella garlic sauce, creamy pasta, comfort food, quick dinner, cheesy sauce
