A Fast and Easy Four Ingredient Dinner

We have been eating more "Italian" type dishes lately because Italian often includes delicious ingredients such as cheese, tomatoes, cheese, pasta, cheese, and so on.  (I love cheese.  Have a mentioned that?) Like I have said before, I am really not that into Italian food normally but for some reason pasta is hitting the spot these days.

The recipe included below is one that I made last week and again tonight for dinner.  When I made it last week Matt was very skeptical of how it looked and how it would taste.  He actually avoided eating dinner until 9 or so at night because he was that weary.  However, as soon as he took a bite, he said with great surprise, "This is really good."  Of course, those are the words every cook would love to hear.  When he requested it again this week for one of our meals, I was ecstatic.  It is such an easy meal to throw together and also very filling.  And who doesn't love cheese in a dish?  Certainly not me.

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Cheese Tortellini with Broccoli and Browned Butter

3 large broccoli florets (about 1 3/4 pounds)

4 tablespoons butter

1 pound of fresh or frozen cheese tortellini

3/4 cup of grated pecorino romano cheese

Steam the broccoli until very soft and it can be mashed easily with a fork.  After steamed, set to the side in a pot.

While broccoli is steaming, bring a large pot of water to a boil for the tortellini.  Cook tortellini according to the directions on the package.  

Meanwhile, begin heating the butter in a separate skillet.  Let butter melt and cook over the heat until slightly browned and has a nutty smell.  Set to the side.  

While the broccoli is still in a separate pot, mash the broccoli with a large spoon for about 20 seconds.  This will allow some of the broccoli pieces to act like a pesto and cover the tortellini noodles.  

Add pieces of broccoli to the tortellini and mix. Pour browned butter over the broccoli and tortellini and mix.  Add grated cheese and salt to taste.  Enjoy!

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