Creamy Cheese Tortellini

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
2 tablespoons salted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
¼ teaspoon salt
Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
½ cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

Prepare Tortellini: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the tortellini and cook until al dente, usually about 7-9 minutes for frozen tortellini and slightly less for fresh. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water for later use, then drain the tortellini and set aside.
Make the Sauce: In the same pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 1 minute until garlic is fragrant but not browned.
Combine Ingredients: Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a light simmer. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
Finish the Dish: Add the cooked tortellini to the cream sauce, stirring to coat well. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
Serve: Transfer the creamy tortellini to a serving dish or plates. Garnish with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately.