By Wendy Stoltz and Gusti Ayu Wahyuni Mertawati / Last Modified On May 23, 2023

Gluten-free tortellini is a delicious and satisfying pasta dish that can be enjoyed as a main meal or side. With a creamy cheese or savory vegan filling, this gluten-free tortellini will impress your guests and satisfy your cravings for pasta. So, roll up your sleeves and prepare to make some delicious pasta that everyone can enjoy!

What is tortellini? Tortellini is a traditional pasta usually made from wheat. It is served with broth or with pasta sauce. The pasta is shaped into rings and filled with meat, cheese, or even vegetables. According to research, it originated in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna in the city of Bologna. The filling varies according to the region it is made. 

I love pasta in any shape and form, and since going gluten-free, not having pasta is not an option for me. So you could say I have a few pasta recipes for you to try. I have gluten-free gnocchi, gluten-free pasta, gluten-free ravioli, risotto, and, lastly, gluten-free egg noodles. So take your pick! Alternatively, if you are short on time, learn about the best gluten-free pasta brands you can use now.

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Gluten-Free Tortellini Recipe

Pasta lovers, this recipe is for you. Life would be grim not being able to enjoy a hearty bowl of pasta. This gluten-free tortellini pasta is so much fun as you can add in so many different fillings. And, yes, you can even sneak in some veggies. 

The pasta can also be used in various dishes, so I like to freeze a few batches, as some weeknights are just not conducive to spending hours in the kitchen. It is really such a time saver, and yes, you can even use a store-bought sauce if you need to make this a really quick meal.

Follow my step-by-step directions to GF tortellini success. Share in the comments what fillings you have used!

Why You’re Going to Love This Gluten-Free Tortellini

The Fillings - Each week, you can change the filling to anything from meat, cheese, or even vegetables. This makes it such an ideal dish for picky eaters. 

Used in various dishes - Learning to make this GF tortellini will open up many other meal options for you. Bye, bye boring meals. Add them to soups, stews, pasta salads, and even baked casseroles.

Freezes so well - Make a few batches and have a freezer batch ready. It makes an easy weeknight meal when all you need to do is add a sauce.

Ingredients in Gluten-Free Tortellini

For The Cheese Filling

Cheese - I have used 8 oz ricotta cheese and ¼ cup grated parmesan. 

Proscuitto - 3 oz prosciutto, finely diced.

Egg - 1 egg at room temperature. This binds the filling together. 

Butter - 1 tbsp softened butter.

Seasoning - ¼ tsp nutmeg powder, ½ tsp salt, and ½ tsp pepper. The nutmeg adds a nice depth of flavor, so try not to skip it.

For The Vegan Filling

Tofu - 4 oz. extra firm tofu, drained and pressed.

Mushrooms - 2 oz shiitake mushroom and 2 oz champignon mushroom.

Yeast - 2 tbsp nutritional yeast.

Garlic - Cloves of garlic finely minced.

Seasoning - Salt and pepper.

Lemon - You'll need lemon juice and lemon zest.

For The Pasta Dough

Flour - 1 ⅓ cup all-purpose gluten-free flour.

Xanthan gum - 2 tsp xanthan gum. This is a thickening agent that adds structure to the pasta. 

Cornstarch - ⅓ cup cornstarch.

Salt - 1 tsp salt.

Oil - 1 tbsp olive oil.

Water - ½ cup of very warm water.

Equipment Needed for This Gluten-Free Tortellini

Mixing bowls - These Pyrex mixing bowls come in handy.

Food processor - I use a food processor for a smooth and even filling.

Rolling pin - I use the traditional wooden rolling pin, but you can also choose from the fancier options.

Cookie cutter - I like to use a 2-inch cookie cutter.

Slotted spoon - Use a slotted spoon to remove the pasta from the boiling water.

If you have any questions about making Gluten-Free Tortellini, please leave a comment, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

How to Make Gluten-Free Tortellini

Make The Cheese Filling

1. In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, prosciutto, egg, butter, grated parmesan, nutmeg powder, salt, and pepper using a fork so it will be crumbled. Set it aside.

Make The Vegan Filling

1. In a food processor, add the tofu, shiitake mushroom, champignon mushroom, nutritional yeast, garlic, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Process until it becomes crumbled. Set it aside.

Make The Pasta Dough

1. In a large bowl, mix gluten-free flour, xanthan gum, cornstarch, and salt. Mix well until incorporated.
2. Add olive oil, and mix again. Add water little by little until the dough becomes smooth.
3. Cover with a kitchen towel and let it rest for 30 minutes.

Assemble The Gluten-Free Tortellini

1. On a floured flat surface, put the dough and divide it into 2. Take 1 part of the dough and start to flatten using a rolling pin. It should be fairly thin but not about to tear.
2. Cut the dough using a cookie cutter (around 2 inches). Take out the rest of the dough, we can roll it again later.
3. Add 1 teaspoon of the filling to the center of the dough. Wet the edges of the dough. Fold the dough in the middle, so it shapes into a half circle. Using your finger, press the edges so the filling will not come out. Squeeze the corners together so that they bind again, using a touch of water to help if needed. Repeat until all the pasta and filling is used up.

How To Cook The Tortellini

1. Using a slotted spoon, lower the tortellini into a pot of boiling water or broth. They only need around 3-5 minutes to cook – they’ll float on the surface once they’re ready.
2. Serve with any sauce you like. I like to have it with butter garlic sauce, then sprinkle it with grated parmesan and chopped basil.

Tips for Making the Best Gluten-Free Tortellini

Mix the filling ingredients well - Make sure to mix the filling ingredients well, so each tortellini has an even mix of the ingredients.

Use a small amount of filling - I use about a teaspoon of filling if you use too much, the pasta will burst open.

Use water to seal - Make sure you seal the edges of the pasta well. If you don't, the filling will come out.

Don't overcrowd the pot - When cooking the pasta, depending on your pot size, cook the pasta in batches. If you overcrowd the pot, the pasta tends to stick together.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Store Gluten-Free Tortellini?

Let the GF tortellini cool. Place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. 

Can I Freeze Gluten-Free Tortellini?

Yes, you can it freezes really well. Place it on a baking sheet spaced, and then once it is frozen, transfer it into freezer bags. They store well in the freezer for 2-3 months.

Can You Make This Gluten-Free Tortellini Ahead of Time?

Yes, you can make the pasta and fillings ahead of time and then make them when ready to cook. The pasta can be in the fridge for 24 hours, and the fillings for 2-3 days. Alternatively, make the pasta completely and then cook it within 2-3 days.

What Substitutions / Replacements Can I Make in This Gluten-Free Tortellini?

Mushrooms - Feel free to use other mushrooms like cremini, oyster, or portobello mushrooms instead.

Vegetarian  / Vegan - For a vegan version, make the vegan filling with pasta dough. You can also use mashed beans or lentils if you don't have tofu. 

Cheese - You can use cottage cheese, cream cheese, or even grated mozzarella cheese.

Egg-free - Make the vegan filling for an egg-free version. I have not tried the filling with an egg replacer, but it should work.

What Can I Serve This GF Tortellini With?

Favorite pasta sauce - Serve it with your favorite pasta sauce like marinara, alfredo, pesto, bechamel, or butter garlic sauce. I like to add some vegetables to the sauce. 

Toppings - Add some parmesan and basil. Or spice things up with some red pepper flakes.

Side dish - This pasta makes a great side dish for chicken and fish.

Add protein - You can also add an additional protein like shrimp or grilled chicken as well as vegetables to make the dish even more filling.

What Are Some Good Gluten-Free Tortellini Brands?

Here's where to buy gluten-free tortellini:

Taste Republic - It is labeled certified gluten-free, and here are some options:

• Gluten-Free Tortelloni Pasta, 4-Cheese Fresh Pasta
• Gluten-Free Tortelloni, Spinach, and Cheese Fresh Pasta
• Vegan Tortelloni, Gluten-Free Plant-Based Cheese Tortelloni

Manini's - These products are also certified gluten-free:

• Maninis gluten-free 4 cheese tortelloni
• Maninis gluten-free dairy free tortelloni

The Difference Between GF Tortellini And Ravioli?

Firstly both are filled pasta shapes. GF tortellini is smaller in size and ring-shaped, whereas ravioli are square or rectangular in shape. Ravioli are also usually thicker, and also due to them being larger, they cook for a little longer.

Can I Use This Gluten-Free Tortellini Recipe To Make Ravioli?

Yes, you definitely can. Just make sure to cut the dough into square or rectangular shapes. 

Why Is My Gluten-Free Cheese Tortellini Taking So Long To Cook?

There are usually one of three reasons:

Water temperature - Make sure the water temperature is correct. The water should be boiling.

Overcrowding the pot - Rather cook in batches if your pot is small. This helps the pasta to cook more evenly.

Pasta is too thick - Make sure the pasta is thin enough when rolling it out. If it is too thick, it takes longer to cook.

 Did you make this Gluten-Free Tortellini recipe? Please leave me a comment below, letting me know what you think.

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