What Sauce Goes with Ham and Cheese Tortellini? (14 Sauces)

Tortellini is a type of pasta that is made from flour, water, and eggs.

It is then filled with a variety of different fillings such as meats, cheeses, and vegetables.

Ham and cheese tortellini is a popular type of tortellini that is typically served with a cream sauce.

But there are so many other sauces that go well with ham and cheese tortellini!

In this blog post, I’m sharing 14 of the best sauces to serve with ham and cheese tortellini.

These sauces include Alfredo sauce, Marinara sauce, creamy tomato soup, and more.

What Sauce Goes with Ham and Cheese Tortellini?

When looking for a sauce to pair with ham and cheese tortellini, you want something that will complement the flavors of the dish without overpowering them. A light cream sauce with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese is a good option, as is a simple tomato sauce. If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, try a pesto or Alfredo sauce.

Still looking for ideas?

Then simply keep scrolling!

1. BBQ Sauce

BBQ sauce is a mix between sweet and savory, and it’s the perfect partner for ham and cheese tortellini.

The smokiness of the BBQ sauce pairs well with the salty ham, and the sweetness helps to cut through the richness of the cheese.

I like to use a store-bought BBQ sauce for this dish, but you could easily make your own if you prefer.

2. Chimichurri Sauce

Chimichurri has a lovely bright flavor that pairs well with the richness of ham and cheese tortellini.

It’s a bit of an unconventional pairing, but I promise it works!

The sauce is traditionally made with parsley, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, and red pepper flakes, so it has a nice balance of acidity and spice.

I like to add a bit of chopped fresh cilantro to mine for extra flavor.

3. Au Jus (no drippings necessary)

This sauce is great for when you’re feeling a little fancy but don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

Au jus is simply beef broth that has been seasoned with a bit of salt and pepper.

You can find it in the grocery store near the other beef broth or stock options.

I like to keep a box or two in my pantry for when I need a quick and easy sauce.

To dress up your au jus, you can add a splash of red wine vinegar or Worcestershire sauce.

4. Creamy Horseradish Sauce

If horseradish is your thing, this is the sauce for you!

It’s incredibly easy to make and only requires a few ingredients: mayonnaise, sour cream, prepared horseradish, Dijon mustard, and garlic powder.

I like to add a bit of honey to balance out the heat from the horseradish, but that’s optional.

This sauce is great with ham and cheese tortellini, but it would also be delicious with roasted beef or pork.

5. Marinara Sauce

Marinara sauce has always been one of the classics when it comes to pasta.

It’s a simple sauce made with tomatoes, garlic, and herbs, but it’s so versatile and pairs well with so many different types of pasta.

I especially love it with ham and cheese tortellini because the salty ham and the creamy cheese are a perfect match for the acidity of the tomato sauce.

6. Alfredo Sauce

This sauce is known for its thick and creamy texture, which pairs perfectly with tortellini.

I like to add a bit of garlic to my Alfredo sauce, but you can leave it out if you prefer.

The key to a good Alfredo is to let it simmer for a while so the flavors have a chance to develop.

7. Pesto Sauce

If you’re looking for something bold and flavorful to pair with your ham and cheese tortellini, pesto sauce is a great option.

This classic Italian sauce is made with fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and pine nuts.

It’s incredibly versatile and can be used as a dip, a spread, or a pasta sauce.

I like to add a bit of cream to my pesto sauce to make it extra creamy and rich.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you could also try adding some sun-dried tomatoes or roasted red peppers.

8. Spicy Tomato Cream Sauce

Maybe you’re craving something spicy, or maybe you’re just looking for a change from the standard Alfredo sauce.

Either way, this Spicy Tomato Cream Sauce is a great option for ham and cheese tortellini.

It’s got a kick from the red pepper flakes, but the creaminess of the sauce balances it out nicely.

I like to add a bit of Parmesan cheese to really bring out the flavor, but you could also use Romano or Asiago.

9. Garlic Butter Sauce

If you don’t want to spend hours making a Bolognese sauce, then garlic butter sauce is the way to go.

It’s quick, easy, and only requires a few ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.

Plus, it pairs really well with ham and cheese tortellini.

I like to add a bit of Parmesan cheese to my garlic butter sauce, but you could also use Gruyere or another type of cheese that you like.

If you want a little bit of heat, then you can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes.

10. Creamy Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce

Creamy, lemony, and garlicky, this sauce is a delicious way to dress up your tortellini.

I like to use it when I’m making a ham and cheese tortellini, but it would also be good with chicken or shrimp.

The best part about this sauce is that it only takes a few minutes to make.

Just melt some butter in a pan, add some garlic and lemon juice, and you’re done!

11. Cheese Sauce

Any true cheese lover will tell you that there’s nothing better than a good cheese sauce.

It’s rich, creamy, and full of flavor — everything you want in a sauce.

I like to make mine with a mix of cheddar and Gruyere, but you could use any type of cheese you like.

The key to making a good cheese sauce is to slowly melt the cheese so it doesn’t get clumpy.

I also like to add a splash of white wine or beer for extra flavor.

12. Bolognese Sauce

Bolognese is a filling sauce that really sticks to your tortellini.

This thick, meaty sauce is traditionally made with beef, but you could easily substitute in ground chicken or turkey.

I like to add a bit of chorizo for extra flavor, but that’s optional.

Try to let it simmer for a long time so the flavors have a chance to develop.

I usually start it in the morning and let it cook all day while I’m doing other things around the house.

13. Gorgonzola Sauce

Gorgonzola is known for having quite a strong flavor, but when it’s paired with the right ingredients it can be absolutely delicious.

I love it with ham and cheese tortellini because the salty ham and sharp cheese are a perfect match for the creamy, slightly tangy sauce.

If you want to tone down the strong flavor of the Gorgonzola, you could add a bit of cream or milk to the sauce.

I like to keep things simple, though, so I usually just add a little bit of garlic and some freshly ground black pepper.

14. Mushroom Sauce

This sauce is a family-favorite in our house and it’s the perfect pairing for ham and cheese tortellini.

It’s a pretty simple sauce, made with just mushrooms, butter, garlic, and cream, but it has so much flavor.

The mushrooms get nice and caramelized in the butter and garlic before being simmered in the cream until thickened.

I like to use a mix of different kinds of mushrooms for this sauce, but you could use just one type if that’s what you have on hand.