Tortellini Panna e Prosciutto (Ham and Cream)

Tortellini panna e prosciutto is a classic and delicious Italian dish, perfect for a Sunday lunch with family.This recipe shows you how to make tortellini with fresh cream and tender cubes of cooked ham. Add a sprinkle of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, and they’ll be even more irresistible!

📝 Ingredients

• 400 g tortellini (- 14 oz)
• 250 g ham (- ~9 oz, prosciutto cotto)
• 300 ml cream (- 10 oz, cooking cream – In Italy, we use "panna da cucina", a thicker cream than classic heavy cream)
• 40 g unsalted butter (- 1/3 stick )
• nutmeg (- to taste)
• Parmigiano Reggiano (- optional, to taste)
• salt (- to taste)
• black pepper (- to taste)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1make tortellini: BEFORE YOU START: For this recipe, you’ll need fresh tortellini. If you can’t find them, don’t worry! Check out our recipe How to Make Traditional Italian Tortellini From Scratch. Making tortellini at home is a fun and rewarding process. Plus, homemade tortellini can be stored in the freezer for 1–2 months. When you’re ready to cook them, simply drop the frozen tortellini directly into boiling salted water—there’s no need to defrost them beforehand.
2. 2cut: Start by preparing the cooked ham. Cut it into thin strips, then slice those strips into small, even cubes.
3. 3cook: Melt the butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the ham cubes and sauté them for a minute or two until they start to brown lightly.
4. 4add and cook: Pour in the cream and stir gently. Season the sauce with a pinch of nutmeg, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer briefly.
5. 5cook and drain: Cook the tortellini in the boiling water until they are al dente (follow the cooking time on the package if using store-bought tortellini). Drain them well, then transfer the tortellini directly into the skillet with the sauce.
6. 6season: Turn off the heat and gently toss the tortellini in the cream and ham sauce until they are evenly coated.
7. 7serve: Plate the tortellini immediately while they’re hot. If you like, sprinkle them with freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano for an extra layer of flavor. Serve your tortellini panna e prosciutto right away and enjoy this creamy, comforting Italian dish with your family and friends!