Tortellini, those little ring-shaped pasta pieces stuffed with cheese or meat, have been around for centuries and have quickly spread around the world.
Some say that this is due to their easy preparation. Others claim that tortellini became popular because of its versatility—it can be served in a soup, a salad, or even as a main course.
Whatever the reason, there’s no doubt that tortellini has made a lot of people happy. And if you’re one of those people who love tortellini, you might be wondering if you can cook them in the microwave.
Can You Cook Tortellini in the Microwave?
You can, but it is not the best cooking method. Cooking tortellini on the stovetop is a much better option in terms of taste and texture.
The microwave is not the best method to cook tortellini for a few reasons.
First, microwaving can result in unappetizingly soggy and sticky pasta.
Second, the cooking time in the microwave is much longer than on the stovetop. The stove top produces evenly cooked pasta in a fraction of the time.
Finally, the microwave does not give the user as much control over the pasta as the stovetop does. The user has to be careful not to overcook or undercook the pasta.
With boiling water on the stovetop, you can more easily control the heat and produce perfectly cooked pasta every time.
Microwave Pasta Cooker Is Here to Help
But thanks to new microwave pasta cookers, you can now cook your tortellini in the microwave with ease and without any of the drawbacks mentioned above.
The key is the unique design of the cooker, which allows steam to circulate evenly around the pasta. This prevents the pasta from sticking together or becoming mushy and ensures that it is cooked through evenly.
The microwave pasta cooker also has a built-in strainer, so you can drain the water away easily after cooking. And because the pasta cooker is also dishwasher safe, you can simply pop it in the dishwasher when you’re done.
How Long Do You Microwave Tortellini?
The cook time will vary depending on the number of tortellini you’re cooking and the wattage of your microwave.
Generally speaking, you need to cook tortellini for 10 to 12 minutes in the microwave to make two servings. This is for microwaves with a wattage of 1,000.
If you’re cooking tortellini in a lower wattage microwave, you’ll need to cook it for a minute or two longer.
It’s always best to err on the side of caution and start with a shorter cook time, then add more time if needed.
How to Microwave Tortellini
To make sure your tortellini comes out perfectly cooked, we’re going to use the microwave pasta cooker mentioned earlier.
If you don’t have a microwave pasta cooker, you can still cook your tortellini in the microwave by putting it in a microwave-safe bowl and covering it with a plastic wrap fanning out one corner to allow steam to escape.
But like I told you before, the result won’t be as good. So if you can, get yourself a microwave pasta cooker.
Here’s how to cook tortellini in the microwave pasta cooker:
- Fill the pasta cooker with water up to the fill line and add the tortellini.
- Remove the lid and microwave on high for 10 to 12 minutes.
- Once the cooking time is up, put on the oven mitts and carefully remove the pasta cooker from the microwave.
- Put the lid back on and strain the water away.
- Serve with your favorite sauce.
As you can see, it’s really easy to cook tortellini in the microwave with a pasta cooker. And the result is perfectly cooked tortellini that is not mushy or sticky.
5 Ways To Turn Frozen Tortellini Into A Meal
Here are some ideas for how to turn your frozen tortellini into a meal:
Toss Into Soup
One of the easiest ways to turn frozen tortellini into a meal is to simply add it to your favorite soup. Tortellini is especially good in minestrone, Italian wedding soup, and chicken noodle soup.
Just cook the tortellini according to the package instructions, then add it to the soup and serve.
Make a Tortellini Salad
Tortellini salad is a great option for a light lunch or dinner. To make a tortellini salad, simply cook the tortellini according to the package instructions.
Then, add the tortellini to a salad of your choice, along with some other favorite salad ingredients. Tortellini pasta salad is also a great option for potlucks and picnics.
Add to Pesto
Tortellini and pesto is a classic combination. To make this dish, simply cook the tortellini according to the package instructions and add it to your favorite pesto sauce.
You can also add some other ingredients to the dish, such as grilled chicken or shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, and olives.
Pair with Roasted Vegetables
All vegans and vegetarians, this one’s for you. Tortellini pairs really well with roasted vegetables, such as eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and tomatoes.
To make this dish, cook the tortellini according to the package instructions. While the tortellini is cooking, roast your vegetables in the oven. Then, add the roasted vegetables to the tortellini and serve.
Make a Tortellini Casserole
Tortellini casseroles are great for feeding a crowd. To make a tortellini casserole, simply cook the tortellini according to the package instructions.
Then, add the tortellini to a casserole dish along with your favorite casserole ingredients, such as sauce, cheese, and meat. Bake the casserole in the oven until it’s hot and bubbly.
These are just a few ideas for how to turn frozen tortellini into a meal. You can also get creative and come up with your own ideas.
Conclusion
So can you microwave tortellini? Yes, but you can’t microwave it on its own. You need to use a microwave pasta cooker for cooking tortellini in the microwave. This will prevent the pasta from sticking together or becoming mushy. And it will also ensure that the pasta is cooked evenly.
