Hunt’s® Tomato and Bacon Tortellini

Seasoned tomatoes, peas and bacon combined with cheese tortellini in a creamy sauce. While any bacon will work in this recipe, smoky thick-sliced bacon produces the best results. To substitute ham for the bacon, cook garlic in 1 tablespoon olive oil and add 1 cup diced ham with the tomatoes, tomato sauce and water. Recipe may be prepared with refrigerated tortellini in place of frozen. Use a 20-oz package and increase water to 1-1/4 cups.

• Ready In: 25 mins
• Serves: 5

Ingredients

• 6  slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1  tablespoon  minced fresh garlic
• 1 (14 1/2ounce) can  Hunt's® Diced Tomatoes with Basil, Garlic and Oregano, undrained
• 1 (8 ounce) can  Hunt's® Tomato Sauce with Basil, Garlic and Oregano, undrained
• 1  cup water
• 1 (16 ounce) package  frozen cheese tortellini
• 1⁄2 cup  chive and onion soft cream cheese spread
• 1  cup frozen green pea
•  cracked black pepper (optional)

Directions

1. Cook bacon in large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-low heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan, drain and discard all but 1 tablespoon drippings. Add garlic to drippings; cook 30 seconds or until fragrant.
2. Add undrained tomatoes, tomato sauce and water; stir. Bring to a boil over high heat; stir in tortellini. Return to a boil; cover and simmer over medium-low heat 6 minutes or until tortellini is tender, stirring gently after 3 minutes.
3. Add cream cheese; stir until completely melted. Stir in bacon and peas. Return to a boil; simmer 2 minutes. Sprinkle liberally with pepper, if desired.