Marry Me Tortellini (Vegetarian)

Name: Marry Me Tortellini (Vegetarian)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 300 g spinach and ricotta tortellini; 400 g tinned butter beans; 2 tbsp oil; 2 shallots (finely diced); 2 garlic cloves (minced); 6-8 sun-dried tomatoes (diced); 2 tbsp tomato paste; 60 ml white wine; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 1 tsp Italian seasoning; 250 ml vegetable stock; 120 ml double cream; 100 g fresh spinach (chopped); 50 g Pecorino cheese; Salt and pepper (to taste); ½ lemon juice; 10 g fresh basil leaves; 0.5 tsp red chili flakes (optional)

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This Marry Me tortellini is pure comfort food - rich, creamy, tangy, and completely irresistible. Inspired by the viral "Marry Me Chicken" recipes, this vegetarian version pairs spinach and ricotta tortellini with tender butter beans, sun-dried tomatoes, and a creamy white wine sauce that's good enough to earn a proposal.

Marry Me tortellini in a casserole pan, topped with red chili flakes and fresh basil leaves

The butter beans add protein and a lovely creamy texture, while a splash of white wine brings a subtle acidity that lifts the whole dish so it tastes both light and filling. Top it with fresh basil and a pinch of chili flakes for a little heat, and you've got a restaurant-quality meal in under 30 minutes. Serve it with garlic bread for the ultimate cozy dinner.

For more cozy dinners with similar flavors, try my marry me butter beans, marry me pasta with cajun tofu, or this vodka gnocchi bake.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

When I first shared this recipe in 2025, I developed it with vegetarian mince as a substitute for the ground sausage or mince often used in meat-based versions of the recipe. However, I've now updated the recipe in 2026 and swapped out the somewhat heavy flavors the mince contributed for lighter, creamy butter beans.

Not only are they the perfect addition of protein and fiber to this recipe, but the creaminess of the butter beans works perfectly with the rich sun-dried tomato sauce and the soft and tender tortellini.

Now, we've got a vegetarian Marry Me tortellini recipe that is much more wholefoods focused that tastes both rich and deeply nourishing, without leaving that heavy feeling in your stomach.

I also updated the recipe to include a splash of white wine in the sauce - it has the dual purpose of deglazing the pan after cooking off your tomato paste until deep red and fragrant, and also adds an edge of acidity that lifts the entire sauce. So yummy, but feel free to just use a squeeze of lemon juice in its place if you don't want to use alcohol.

Ingredient Notes

Here are some notes on the key ingredients, plus easy swaps if needed. The exact quantities are in the recipe card at the bottom of this page.

Spinach and ricotta tortellini: My go-to for this dish, but any filled tortellini works - cheese, mushroom, or vegan alternatives if you want to keep it dairy-free. Fresh or shelf-stable are both fine.
Butter beans: One 400g tin, drained. They add protein and a gorgeous creamy texture that makes this dish feel substantial. Cannellini beans would also work.
Shallots: Two shallots, finely diced. They're sweeter and more delicate than regular onions, which suits this creamy sauce. A small white onion works as a substitute.
Sun-dried tomatoes: These pack a huge punch of savory, tangy flavor that defines any "marry me" recipe. Use oil-packed ones if you can - they blend into the sauce beautifully, and you can use the oil to cook the shallots and garlic.
White wine: Just 60ml for deglazing the pan and adding a subtle acidity. If you'd rather skip the alcohol, use an extra splash of vegetable stock with a squeeze of lemon juice.
Double cream: Balances the tangy tomatoes with richness. Half-and-half or a plant-based cream alternative also works.
Pecorino cheese: Adds saltiness and depth. Parmesan works just as well, though note that Parmesan is often not vegetarian due to the rennet.
Fresh spinach: Stirred in at the end with the cream and tortellini. It wilts down quickly and adds color and nutrients.
Lemon juice: Brightens the whole dish at the end. Don't skip this - it really lifts the sauce.
Red chili flakes (optional): A pinch on top adds a nice little kick of heat.

How to Make This Marry Me Tortellini Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Aromatics

Heat the oil in a large pan and add the diced shallots. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened and translucent, then add the garlic and cook for another minute.

Step 2: Build the Sauce

Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2-3 minutes until it deepens in color and turns fragrant. Add the smoked paprika and Italian seasoning and stir for another minute to let the spices bloom. Pour in the white wine and let it cook down for a couple of minutes.

diced shallots and minced garlic being cooked in the oil for sun-dried tomatoes — diced shallots and minced garlic cooking in oil

tomato paste being stirred into diced shallots and minced garlic — diced shallots and minced garlic cooking in oil

Step 3: Add the Beans and Stock

Tip in the butter beans, sun-dried tomatoes, and vegetable stock. Give everything a good stir and let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 4: Add the Tortellini and Finish

Add the tortellini, chopped spinach, and double cream. Simmer for about 3 minutes until the tortellini is cooked through and the spinach has wilted. Stir through the Pecorino and squeeze over the lemon juice. Top with fresh basil leaves and a pinch of chili flakes if you like.

the marry me sauce with vegetable stock with butter beans and diced sun-dried tomatoes added — add white wine and cook down

Expert Tips for the Best Marry Me Tortellini

Butter beans or something else? Many Marry Me tortellini recipes use shredded chicken, ground sausage, or beef mince. When developing the vegetarian alternative for this recipe, I tested multiple different versions - including mince and a vegetarian chicken version. Ultimately, I think butter beans are the perfect choice. They're creamy and tender, a whole food packed with protein and fiber, but they don't take anything away from the overall flavors of the dish, which really speak for themselves already!
Don't overcook the tortellini: It only needs about 3 minutes in the sauce. Keep an eye on it, or it'll turn mushy.
Cook the tomato paste properly: Giving the tomato paste a full 2-3 minutes in the pan before adding liquid intensifies its flavor significantly. You'll notice it darkens and becomes more fragrant.
Let the wine cook down: Give the white wine a couple of minutes to reduce before adding the stock. This cooks off the raw alcohol flavor and concentrates the acidity.
Adjust the consistency: If the sauce gets too thick, add a splash of extra stock or cream to loosen it. The tortellini and beans will continue to absorb liquid as it sits.
Batch the sauce: You can double the sauce base (everything before the tortellini) and freeze it. Then just cook fresh tortellini and stir it through when you're ready to eat.

a pan of Marry Me tortellini with a spoon taking a scoop out of it. It's cast in direct sunlight, and topped with red chili flakes and fresh basil leaves

Storage

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: The sauce (without tortellini) freezes well for up to 3 months. Fresh pasta doesn't freeze as nicely once cooked, so freeze only the sauce and cook fresh tortellini when reheating.
Reheating: Warm on the stove over low heat with a splash of cream or stock to loosen the sauce. Note, the tortellini will absorb a lot of the sauce when stored, so you'll definitely need to add some liquid to loosen everything up.

FAQs

What is "Marry Me" tortellini?

It's a creamy, one-pot tortellini dish inspired by the viral "Marry Me Chicken" recipes. The name comes from the idea that the flavors - sun-dried tomatoes, cream, garlic, and Pecorino - are so good they could inspire a proposal (although, no ring on this finger yet!). This vegetarian version uses butter beans instead of chicken for a hearty, meat-free meal.

Can I use dried or frozen tortellini instead of fresh?

Yes! Frozen tortellini works well - just add an extra 2-3 minutes to the simmering time. For dried tortellini, follow the package instructions and adjust accordingly.

Can I make this vegan?

Absolutely. Use vegan tortellini, plant-based cream, and swap the Pecorino for nutritional yeast or vegan cheese. The butter beans, sun-dried tomatoes, and white wine are already vegan.

What can I serve with Marry Me tortellini?

It's filling on its own, but I love it with garlic bread and a side salad to balance out the richness. A chunk of crusty bread for mopping up the sauce is also perfect.

Can I add protein to this?

The butter beans provide plenty of protein, but if you want extra, crumbled vegetarian sausages or crispy tofu would be lovely additions. You could also stir in some cooked lentils.