Ingredients
Scale
- 250g fresh cheese-filled tortellini (or use frozen if fresh isn’t available)
- 300g sirloin steak, trimmed and cut into thin strips
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 150ml double cream (substitute with crème fraîche for a tangier twist)
- 100g baby spinach leaves
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, to serve (optional)
- A squeeze of lemon juice (optional, but it brightens the dish beautifully)
Instructions
- Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a gentle boil. Add the tortellini and cook according to package instructions, usually around 3-4 minutes for fresh pasta. Drain and set aside, saving a ladle of the pasta water.
- While the pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Season the steak strips with salt and pepper, then sear them quickly, about 2 minutes per side, until browned but still tender. Remove the steak from the pan and set aside to rest.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining olive oil and butter to the pan. Toss in the chopped onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute, allowing the fragrance to fill your kitchen.
- Pour in the double cream and add the thyme leaves. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
- Return the steak strips to the pan along with the drained tortellini. Toss everything gently to coat the pasta and steak in the creamy garlic sauce. Add the baby spinach and cook for a minute or two until just wilted.
- Season to taste with extra salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice if using. Serve immediately with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
