Tortellini in Brodo — Ad-Free Recipe, Ingredients First

Make the broth from capon or a mix of capon and beef, and clarify it clear. The whole dish is the broth, so a cloudy stock is a failed dish.

The Ingredients — and where to get them

Cook for 6 servings

Capon or hen

A capon, or a boiling hen plus a beef shank, for a rich clear brodo.

1 (3 lb)

Local / market

Beef shank

For depth alongside the bird.

1 lb

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Pork loin

A little pork, browned, for the filling.

4 oz

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Mortadella

Real Bologna mortadella, ground into the filling. Deli imitation tastes flat.

3 oz

Local / market

Prosciutto di Parma

A slice or two, ground in.

2 oz

Local / market

Parmigiano Reggiano

Grated into the filling and over the bowl. Aged 24 months.

1/2 cup

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Eggs

For the pasta dough and to bind the filling.

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00 flour

Soft Italian 00 flour for a silky sheet.

3 cups

Local / market

Nutmeg

A scrape of fresh nutmeg in the filling.

1 pinch

Local / market

The Rundown

Greedometer ●●●●● Squeaky clean

About as virtuous as dinner gets. · plan ahead — needs marinating, soaking, or resting time

EffortA project

Cook it with

Instant PotSlow cookerOne-pot

The Method

Make the brodoSimmer the capon and beef shank with carrot, celery, and onion in water 3 hours, skimming often, then strain until clear.
Make the fillingBrown the pork, then grind it with mortadella and prosciutto. Mix with parmigiano, an egg, and nutmeg.
Roll the doughKnead flour and eggs into a firm dough, rest 30 minutes, and roll into thin sheets.
Fold the tortelliniCut small squares, dot with filling, fold into triangles, and wrap each around a fingertip to seal the belly.
Cook in brothSimmer the tortellini directly in the clear brodo 3 to 4 minutes and serve in the broth with grated cheese.

The Toolkit

Stockpot · Rolling pin · Fine strainer

Straight Answers

Can you make Tortellini in Brodo in an air fryer? — Yes, with an insert

Not on its own — an air fryer can’t hold a pool of liquid. You can simmer it in an oven-safe dish or a silicone insert made to fit the basket, but the broth won’t reduce or brown the way it does on the stove, and that insert comes out scorching, so use oven mitts. For real depth, a pot on the stove wins.

Can you freeze Tortellini in Brodo? — Yes

Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.

Can you make Tortellini in Brodo ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — it holds well and often tastes better the next day. Make it ahead and reheat gently before serving.

Is Tortellini in Brodo gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).

Is Tortellini in Brodo vegan? — No

No — it contains meat, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.

Community Notes

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Tortellini in Brodo, and where to source it