tortellini

noun

tor·​tel·​li·​ni ˌtȯr-tə-ˈlē-nē 

plural tortellini also tortellinis

: pasta in the form of little ring-shaped cases containing a filling (as of meat or cheese)

Examples of tortellini in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Italy has its fair share, with tortellini, agnolotti, capunsei, gnocchi, canederli, turle, strangolapreti and ravioli. —Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 9 Mar. 2026

Add even more fun colors by using colored tortellini. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2026

Food vendors tempted shoppers with crystalline slices of Parmigiano and crates adorned with tiny tortellini shells. —Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2026

Options for sides include pasta salad, macaroni salad, coleslaw, potato salad, tortellini salad and mozzarella balls. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 4 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian, plural of tortellino, diminutive of tortello "rectangular or disk-shaped filled pasta, fritter," diminutive of torta "cake, tart," going back to Late Latin tōrta "round loaf of bread" — more at tart entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1911, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tortellini

• antonine
• aubergine
• celestine
• cytosine
• emetine
• infantine
• johannine
• kerosine
• kundalini
• nepheline
• phenelzine
• proserpine

Kids Definition

tortellini

noun

tor·​tel·​li·​ni ˌtȯrt-ə-ˈlē-nē 

plural tortellini also tortellinis

: pasta in the form of little ring-shaped cases containing a filling (as of meat or cheese)