One-Pot Tortellini with Prosciutto and Peas Recipe • 5★

Updated April 16, 2025

Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Cyd Raftus McDowell.

Luxurious in the end result but not in process, this quick, one-pot pasta features crisp shards of salty prosciutto, soft pillows of tortellini and bright pops of sweet peas in a silky lemon cream sauce. The dish is inspired by pasta alla papalina, a more delicate carbonara that uses prosciutto instead of guanciale and Parmesan instead of Pecorino. While pasta alla papalina often uses long noodles, this dish uses tortellini and cooks them right in the broth and heavy cream: No waiting for a pot of water to boil, and the starch from the pasta helps the cream thicken into a sauce. Serve alongside an arugula salad or seared asparagus. You can use bacon instead of prosciutto, which will add some smokiness.

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1½ tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more if needed

4 slices prosciutto (about 2 ounces)

1 shallot, finely chopped

16 to 20 ounces refrigerated cheese tortellini

2 cups (10 ounces) frozen peas (no need to thaw)

1 cup chicken broth

1 cup heavy cream

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)

Salt and black pepper

Zest and juice of ½ lemon (about 1½ teaspoons zest plus 1½ tablespoons juice)

Step 1In a large nonstick skillet, melt the butter over medium. Add the prosciutto in a single layer and cook, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp, 2 to 4 minutes. Press occasionally with a spatula to ensure even crisping and reducing the heat as necessary if the fat begins to smoke. Transfer the prosciutto to a plate, leaving the fat in the pan.

In a large nonstick skillet, melt the butter over medium. Add the prosciutto in a single layer and cook, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp, 2 to 4 minutes. Press occasionally with a spatula to ensure even crisping and reducing the heat as necessary if the fat begins to smoke. Transfer the prosciutto to a plate, leaving the fat in the pan.

Step 2To the skillet, add the shallot and cook over medium until softened, 2 to 4 minutes, adding about ½ tablespoon butter if the pan is dry. Add the tortellini, peas, chicken broth, heavy cream and nutmeg (if using) and season with salt and pepper. Simmer over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until the pasta and peas are tender, 3 to 5 minutes. (The sauce will thicken as it cools.) Turn off the heat and stir in the lemon zest and juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Crumble the prosciutto on top.

To the skillet, add the shallot and cook over medium until softened, 2 to 4 minutes, adding about ½ tablespoon butter if the pan is dry. Add the tortellini, peas, chicken broth, heavy cream and nutmeg (if using) and season with salt and pepper. Simmer over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until the pasta and peas are tender, 3 to 5 minutes. (The sauce will thicken as it cools.) Turn off the heat and stir in the lemon zest and juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Crumble the prosciutto on top.

The introductory notes talk about "Parmesan instead of Pecorino," yet Parmesan isn't listed as an ingredient.

Honestly, cooking anything in the kitchen together with friends or family sounds like a nightmare I would prefer to avoid.

Absolutely delicious! Made exactly as is on a Sunday night and LOVED it!

Made as written. Truly a hit! Will make again and agaIn!

Made this last night and my family loved it! I used bacon because I don't like Prosciutto. And I served with asparagus and garlic bread. AMAZING! And sooooo simple! My 13 year old daughter is going to start making this one for us.

Deglaze the pan after you cook the shallots!!!!