Creamy Spinach Artichoke Tortellini

Ingredients

• 10 oz fresh or frozen spinach
• 15 oz refrigerated 3 cheese tortellini
• 2 1/2 Tbsp butter
• 1 small yellow onion, grated
• 4 cloves garlic, minced, 1 1/2 Tbsp
• 2 Tbsp flour
• 2 cups milk
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 8 oz Neufchatel cheese, aka light cream cheese, diced into small cubes
• 1 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese
• 1 can artichoke heart quarters, chopped
• 3 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley, optional
• 1/2 cup reserved pasta water

Directions

1. If you’re starting with fresh spinach, give it a rough chop, then add 3 Tbsp water to a large pot, the same one you’ll use for the pasta works nicely. Add the spinach and cook it over medium-low heat, stirring often, until it has wilted. Move it to paper towels. If you’re using frozen spinach, thaw it, drain it well, and chop it roughly.
2. Cook the tortellini as directed on the package, setting aside 1/2 cup of the pasta water before you drain it.
3. While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, along with any juices from the cutting board, and cook for 4 minutes, until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.
4. Sprinkle in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring the whole time. Whisk in the milk, then add a light hand of salt and pepper, remembering that the parmesan will bring plenty of saltiness and you can adjust later.
5. Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, stirring constantly. Lower the heat a bit, then add the Neufchatel and parmesan. Cook, stirring often, until the cheeses have melted into the sauce; this will take several minutes, so don’t mistake the onion bits for unmelted cheese.
6. Stir in the spinach and artichokes and let everything heat through. Add the cooked, drained tortellini and the parsley, then toss to coat.
7. Add the reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time, stirring until the sauce loosens to your liking. About 1/4 cup may be enough, but the sauce will thicken as it stands, so use more if needed. Serve right away.