A meal of pasta is always welcome in any home. It makes a perfect brunch, dinner or even a snack, and, with so many kinds of pasta available today and hundreds of pasta recipes, you won’t have a shortage of mouth-watering and scrumptious meals. Most kids prefer pasta to any other meal.
However, not all pasta is created equal; for example, not all of these Italy-origin dishes are cooked the same way. The boiling time for pasta depends on the Italian noodles’ type, density and thickness. One example of pasta that you need to approach differently is tortellini. If you want it cooked al dente and want to know how long to boil it, this read is for you.
What Is Tortellini Pasta?
Tortellini pasta falls under the stuffed pasta category, originating from Emilia, an Italian region. Traditionally, ricotta cheese is the stuffing of choice.
Still, since Italian cooks can be bolder and look past the cheese, they’ve also started stuffing this pasta with different kinds of meat like mortadella, prosciutto and pork loin.
Here are other types of stuffing used in tortellini:
- Cheese
- Finely minced vegetables
- Minced parsley
- Nutmeg
- Eggs
This ring-shaped pasta, a cousin of the ravioli, is named tortellini because it is reminiscent of pies, or tortas, filled with something good.
How Long Do You Need to Boil Tortellini?
One of the most basic but critical questions for those who want to try this pasta is how long to boil it.
Knowing how long to boil tortellini can dictate the overall quality of the pasta. If you boil it for too long, you will end up with a mushy mess that is unpleasant to the palate.
The tortellini will also fall apart, and you won’t be able to enjoy what’s stuffed inside. And if you undercook it, you’ll end up with a weird and uneven chewiness and texture, especially around the folds of the pasta.
Here is an overview of the recommended boiling time for tortellini:
| Source of Tortellini | Recommended Boiling Time |
| Fresh tortellini | 1 to 2 minutes |
| Dried tortellini | 10 to 12 minutes |
| Frozen tortellini | 4 to 6 minutes |
Note that the boiling time for tortellini depends on the kind of tortellini you have. You only need to boil homemade or fresh tortellini for 1 to 2 minutes, while you have to boil dried tortellini longer – up to 10 to 12 minutes.
And how long does it take to boil frozen tortellini? For straight-out-of-the-freezer pasta, you need to boil it for 4 to 6 minutes.
Yes, the cooking time for tortellini is that quick, making it the perfect pasta of choice during busy weekdays where every minute counts. It’s easy to prepare, doesn’t take a lot of time and can always satisfy your tummy and Italian cravings.
How to Boil Tortellini?
Boiling this pasta is very simple. Follow this step-by-step guide to produce al dente Tortellini.
1. Prepare a pot that is big enough for your tortellini. The pot should provide plenty of room so your pasta can freely move around while boiling.
2. Fill the pot with water and bring to a boil.
3. Some people prefer adding salt to the water, but this is optional.
4. Add your tortellini and stir it once in a while as it boils.
5. Your tortellini is cooked when they start to float in the water, at which point you can then remove them and drain the excess water.
Final Thoughts
Tortellini is a good pasta staple. It adds oomph to your regular spaghetti, penne and macaroni. Give it a try, and never look back to plain string pasta again!
