Pesto with Tortellini is a simple pasta salad that is perfect for pairing with your favorite grilled recipes for the best backyard bbq meal.
Imagine coming home after a long day and preparing a scrumptious, comforting dish that’s quick, easy, and packed with flavor. That’s exactly what Pesto with Tortellini offers! This fantastic pasta recipe is perfect for any day of the week and will fill your home with mouthwatering aromas.
Combining tender cheese tortellini with a vibrant, herby pesto sauce, juicy cherry tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella pearls, this dish creates an amazing depth of flavors that’s sure to impress. Let’s dive into this wonderful world of Pesto with Tortellini together!
Tortellini Pesto Pasta Salad
Pesto with Tortellini is more than just a simple dish—it’s a flavor-packed meal that’s quick to make, versatile, and can easily be tailored to your preferences. The fresh herbs in the pesto, paired with the tender cheese-filled tortellini, make for a truly delightful eating experience.
The addition of cherry tomatoes and mozzarella pearls brings a refreshing lightness to the dish, rounding out the flavors perfectly. So let’s do this! Head to your kitchen and whip up this delicious Pesto with Tortellini today!
It’s a dish you and your family are sure to enjoy and make again and again.
Common Questions About Pesto with Tortellini
Can I Make My Pesto Sauce from Scratch?
Yes, you certainly can! While store-bought pesto can save time, nothing beats the fresh flavor of homemade pesto sauce. All you need are some fresh herbs like basil, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, garlic, and extra virgin olive oil.
Is This Dish Served Hot or Cold?
Pesto with Tortellini can be enjoyed either chilled or at room temperature, making it a versatile dish that’s perfect for both warm and cold days.
Can I Add Meat to This Dish?
Yes! Adding grilled chicken breast or even cooked shrimp can add some protein and make this dish even heartier.
Storage
I absolutely love having tortellini on hand to warm up and enjoy at a moment’s notice. There are just a couple things to note when storing it for later.
Refrigerator
Pesto with Tortellini can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Make sure the pasta has cooled completely before storing it to prevent excess moisture from making it soggy.
Freezer
If you want to freeze Pesto with Tortellini, it’s recommended to freeze the tortellini and pesto sauce separately. Cooked pasta can become soft and lose its texture when frozen and reheated. On the other hand, pesto sauce freezes wonderfully and can be thawed whenever you need it.
Tips
Your friends and family will hum in satisfaction when you bring this dish to the dinner table. It’s just so satisfying!
- Always reserve a cup of the pasta water. It contains starch that helps the sauce adhere better to the pasta and can be used to adjust the sauce’s consistency.
- Customize the recipe by adding your favorite vegetables or proteins.
- If using frozen tortellini, make sure to adjust the cooking time according to the package instructions.
- For the best results, cook pasta al dente. Cooking pasta “al dente” is an Italian term that translates to “to the tooth.” It refers to pasta that is cooked until it’s tender but still firm to the bite, offering a slight resistance when chewed rather than being overly soft or mushy.
Ingredients
With these basic ingredients, you can bring this comforting dish to life. It’s a recipe where simple things are brought together in a great way!
- Cheese tortellini
- Pesto, homemade or store-bought
- Cherry tomatoes
- Mini mozzarella pearls
- Fresh basil
How to Make Pesto with Tortellini
Though there are many different ways to make tortellini, this one is my favorite. I love how the pesto, tomatoes and cheese all come together in sweet simplicity.
- In a large pot of boiling water, cook the tortellini pasta according to the instructions on the box/package.
- Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the pasta cooking water for later.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the pesto with ¼ cup of pasta cooking water.
- Add the pasta and toss to combine. If the sauce is too dry, add another ¼ cup of pasta water.
- Add in the tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, and pepper and toss to combine.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Enjoy chilled or at room temperature!
Kitchen Supplies You’ll Need for Pesto with Tortellini
A good, fresh basil pesto cannot be overrated. This dish will be a main course to remember!
- Large pot
- Colander
- Large bowl
- Whisk
What to Serve With Pesto with Tortellini
Pesto with Tortellini is a complete meal in itself, but you could also serve it with a side of garlic bread to soak up the extra pesto sauce. For a refreshing contrast, consider a simple side salad or some grilled vegetables.
Why You Should Make Pesto with Tortellini
- Quick and Easy: This dish can be prepared in less than 20 minutes, making it perfect for quick dinners or a last-minute lunch.
- Versatile: Pesto with Tortellini can be served hot or cold and customized with additional vegetables or proteins, making it versatile for any occasion.
- Flavorful: Combining the flavors of cheesy tortellini, herbaceous pesto, sweet cherry tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella creates a truly delicious meal that everyone will love.
Variations and Add-Ins for Pesto with Tortellini
If I had to add anything to this recipe it would be meat. Probably some type of seafood in fact. I feel like fresh mozzarella just loves to be combined with some type of protein. Here are a few more ideas to level up this dish even more!
- Meat Lovers: Add grilled chicken breast or cooked shrimp for a protein boost.
- Veggie Delight: Mix in some sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, or kalamata olives for an added veggie twist..
- Creamy Pesto: Stir in a bit of cream cheese or heavy cream to make a creamy pesto sauce that’s utterly decadent.
If you love this easy pasta salad recipe, you’re going to love these other side dishes too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!
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Pesto with Tortellini
Ingredients
- 19 ounces cheese tortellini
- ¾ cup pesto homemade or store-bought
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup mini mozzarella pearls
- ¼ cup basil julienned
Instructions
- In a large pot of boiling water, cook the tortellini pasta according to the instructions on the box/package.
- Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the pasta cooking water for later.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the pesto with ¼ cup of pasta cooking water.
- Add the pasta and toss to combine. If the sauce is too dry, add another ¼ cup of pasta water.
- Add in the tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, and pepper and toss to combine.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Enjoy chilled or at room temperature!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Yummi Haus cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
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