Get That Costco Tortellini Out Of The Freezer And On The Table With These 10 Easy Recipes

How many of us have gone into the warehouse store, Costco, and had eyes bigger than our stomachs? I know I have! I’ve purchased things that I thought were a bargain, only to throw it out after a long stint in the freezer or cupboard. So much for saving money. It’s wasn’t indeed a bargain since it went to waste.

Throwing out food is like putting money in the trash. Recent estimates have the average family wasting hundreds of dollars worth of food per year. Tortellini is so versatile; there’s no need to let it go to waste. 

So let’s save money, enjoy a great ingredient that’s the basis of satisfying meals and use up that frozen pasta.

Want easy and delicious recipes using Costco tortellini?

Let’s go to the Chalkboard.

Is Costco Tortellini Good?

Yes! The mild flavor lends itself to a variety of preparations. Plus, it cooks up in minutes so you can have dinner on the table in a flash.

Just like their rotisserie chickens, frozen vegetables, and meatballs, tortellini is a real crowd-pleaser. You won’t regret this purchase!

Costco Tortellini Vs. Costco Tortelloni

Be aware that there are two versions of cheese-filled pasta at Costco. One is in the refrigerator, and the other is in the freezer. The refrigerated version is tortelloni, and the freezer version is tortellini. 

They are both made from flour and egg but differ in shapes and filling.

Tortelloni usually is filled with cheese and herbs, while tortellini typically has a meat filling. Confusing matters here is the fact that the Servioli Tortellini from Costco is cheese-filled. 

Here are the significant differences.

	Filling	Location In-Store	Shape	Cook Time	Nutrition Benefits
Costco Tortelloni	Ricotta, Parmigano Reggiano, Mascarpone, Mozzarella, Pecorino Romano	Refrigerated Section	Circular with jagged edges similar to ravioli	2 minutes in boiling water	High in Calcium, 270 Calories per 1 cup serving
Tortellini	Romano, Ricotta, Parmesan, Asiago Cheese, Fontina	Freezer	Round with a thimble-sized hole in the middle	3-5 minutes in boiling water	High in calcium240 calories per 1 cup serving

The tastes are pretty close, so use them interchangeably.

How Long Do You Cook Costco Tortellini?

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. 

Tortellini cooks for 3-5 minutes. 

Tortellini cooks for 2 minutes.

You don’t want to overcook them, as then they will quickly become mushy. A little al dente is okay in most instances, as they will hold up better. 

How Much Is Costco Tortellini?

Servioli Tortellini is $9.99 for 5lbs, which is 18 servings.

Costco Tortoloni is $10.69 for 3lbs, which has seven servings.

Can You Cook Costco Tortellini From Frozen?

YES, you can cook them from frozen. Tortellini is sold frozen and should be stored that way. Although it is typically refrigerated, you can freeze tortelloni and then cook it without defrosting. You will likely need to add a minute or two to the cooking time to ensure it’s fully cooked. 

To ensure it’s fully cooked, the internal temperature should be 160 degrees. 

Costco Tortellini Nutrition

Costco Tortelloni Nutrition

Recipes Using Costco Tortellini

1. Pesto – If you have lots of basil in your garden or just love the herb, it’s time to make pesto. This sauce is an excellent complement to the tortellini and comes together in minutes. Simply Recipes breaks the process down, making it so easy. If you are allergic to pine nuts, just leave them out; I’ve made pesto plenty of times without them. 
2. Salad – Tortellini doesn’t need to be the main focus of a dish; it can also be a component. This Tuscan Tortellini Salad is a great weeknight meal that incorporates sundried tomatoes, spinach, and pasta. It’s a Chalkboard Favorite. 
3. Baked Tortellini – Are you craving a hearty meal but don’t want to slave away in the kitchen? Try Dinner at the Zoo’s Baked Tortellini. For the marinara, my family loves Rao’s, which is also available at Costco. It’s a little pricey, but it doesn’t have any added sugar, and it’s delicious! If you don’t want to use red meat, substitute ground chicken, turkey, or even sausage out of the casing.
4. Chicken Alfredo – Do you have a cheese lover in your home? Take cheesiness to the next level with chicken alfredo tortellini. It’s very hearty and heavy, but the broccoli helps to balance it out. Simply substitute tortellini for the pasta in this recipe. It is a rich dish, so a side salad is a perfect complement. 
5. Meat Sauce – If you want to beef up your tortellini, meat sauce is a great way to do it. Some recipes simmer on the stove for 2-3 hours, but this one from Tastes Better From Scratch provides excellent flavor and texture with a 30 minute cook time.
6. Primavera – Roasted vegetables add a healthy element to tortellini. When chopping, make them a little smaller than the pasta and all the same shape. The uniform sizing helps them to cook uniformly and will balance the dish nicely. 
7. With Peas And Ham – If you need an effortless meal, add some chopped ham and frozen peas to the mix. If you don’t have leftover meat, steaks or even cold cuts will do. Heat the peas and ham in a large skillet, and then add to the cooked tortellini for a comforting meal.
8. Tomato Soup – Instead of croutons, add some tortellini to tomato soup. This recipe from Natasha’s Kitchen is simple and uses mainly pantry ingredients. You won’t need as much parmesan since the tortellini adds that flavor. Add the cheese after you add the tortellini and taste as you go.
9. Skewers – Tortellini isn’t only a main dish; it also makes a great appetizer. Put them on a skewer along with tomatoes, mozzarella, spinach, salami, whatever! I found that they need a little sauce to take the flavor to the next level. Pesto, balsamic vinegar, or red wine vinegar, and olive oil are great options. 
10. Chimichurri – Herbs abound in this South American sauce that works with many dishes, including tortellini. Make it ahead so that flavors can meld. Don’t worry; it only takes minutes to prep. A food processor does all the work. 

What Do You Think?

Have you purchased Costco tortellini before? How do you like to prepare it? Let me know in the comments below; I’d love to hear!

If you want to use up other Costco purchases, check out these 11 recipes using their meatballs. 

Happy Costco Shopping!

Pin this for later.