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Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Pasta

Pesto Tortellini

Oct 2, 2023 · Written by Dannii Martin · This post may contain affiliate links which earn us commissions if purchases are made · 12 Comments

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Pesto tortellini with a text title overlay.
Pesto tortellini with a text title overlay.

A delicious and comforting pasta dish that is ready in under 10 minutes. Pesto Tortellini is a great way to use up some leftover pesto, and it's easy to adapt with other vegetables too. A quick dinner that is perfect for busy weeknights and total comfort food.

A plate of tortellini in a pesto sauce on a pink plate.

When is comes to quick and easy comfort food, this tortellini with pesto ticks all the boxes. Mushroom tortellini (but you can use any flavour), coated in a creamy pesto sauce with some wilted spinach mixed through. Filling, delicious and nutritious.

When you don't have much time in the kitchen, but you want a hot and filling meal, then tortellini is always a quick win. You can adapt it with different pestos, vegetables and cheese, and even some leftover protein.

If you are looking for some more quick and easy pasta recipes, why not try our easy Cabbage Pasta, delicious Prawn and Chorizo Pasta or our super quick Broccoli Pasta?

Jump to:
  • Ingredients and substitutions
  • How to make pesto tortellini - Step by step
  • What to serve with pesto tortellini
  • Variations
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Extra tips
  • More pesto recipes
  • Recipe
  • Feedback

Ingredients and substitutions

All the ingredients needed for this recipe each with a text overlay label.
  • Tortellini - We used store bought to make this a quick and easy meal. However, if you want to make your own, then go ahead! We used mushroom (with truffles), but you can use a spinach tortellini or just cheese.
  • Oil - A good quality olive oil.
  • Shallots - These add a nice sweetness, but you can swap them for a small brown onion. You could also use a leek instead.
  • Garlic - Freshly crushed is best.
  • Spinach - This is an easy way to add a green veggie post to a pasta dish, but you could use cabbage or kale instead but you will need to adjust the cooking time. More suggestions on vegetables you can add below.
  • Lemon - We are BIG fans of adding a little fresh lemon juice to a pasta dish. It really freshens it up.
  • Creme fraiche - This is where the creamy sauce comes from. We used reduced fat to lighten it up, but you can use full fat. You can use cream too.
  • Pesto - The star of the tortellini pasta recipe. You can use a good quality store bought pesto, or make your own. Why not try our Carrot Top Pesto?
  • Parmesan - To keep this a vegetarian dish, then make sure to use a vegetarian alternative. Most supermarket's own brand Italian hard cheese is vegetarian. Make sure you grate the Parmesan yourself, as pre-grated cheeses are often coated in anti-clumping powders to stop it sticking together in the bag. But it also stops it from melting and adds a grainy texture to your dish
  • Pasta water - This is our "secret" ingredient when it comes to pasta dishes. A little bit adds some starch to the sauce and makes it extra creamy.

A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

How to make pesto tortellini - Step by step

Uncooked tortellini in a saucepan.

One: Cook your tortellini according to the packet instructions.

Chopped shallots and garlic cooking in a pan.

Two: Heat the oil over a low heat and cook the shallots and garlic for 4 minutes.

Spinach, pesto, parmesan and creme fraich added to the pan.

Three: Add the spinach, Parmesan, creme fraiche, pesto, lemon juice and zest. Mix well.

Cooked tortellini added to the pan.

Four: Drain the tortellini, reserving some of the pasta water. Add the tortellini and water to the pan. Stir and return to the heat for 1 minutes.

What to serve with pesto tortellini

This is a hearty and filling meal on its own, however if you wanted some sides or even some added protein then we have some great suggestions for you.

Why not try serving some Air Fryer Salmon or Air Fryer Steak with this pesto tortellini recipe?

If you want to make this more filling, then some bread on the side is a good option. Garlic bread and pasta is the perfect match and either our Air Fryer Garlic Bread or Cheesy Garlic Bread go really well with this.

Pine nuts sprinkled over cooked tortellini.

Variations

Vegetables - You can swap the spinach for another leafy green like kale, but you will need to fry it with the onions. Broccoli works well, and you can cut it up small and add it to the water at the same time as the tortellini.

You can also add some frozen peas or sweetcorn to the pan of water too. Tomatoes are a nice way to add a pop of colour too.

Protein - An easy way to give a protein boost to this tortellini pasta recipe is by adding some leftover shredded chicken. Why not try making our Slow Cooker Chicken Breasts and using leftovers from them? For a veggie protein boost, cooked chickpeas work well.

Creamy - To make this even creamier, and add some healthy fats too, then why not blend your pesto with some avocado and a little bit of water to loosen it up?

A fork picking up a piece of cooked tortellini.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I have to reserve water?

Because it's an easy way to make the sauce really silky smooth, with no extra effort.

How to store leftovers

Leftovers will store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. We don't recommend freezing pesto tortellini.

Can I reheat this?

You can, but we don't recommend it, as it will become a little dry. We love eating it cold. Just let it comes to room temperature (about an hour) and then it's perfect to eat. We love using leftovers for packed lunches and the kids love it too.

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Extra tips

• If you are using store bought pesto, then the fresh refrigerated pesto you can get in the supermarket or farmers shop has much more flavour than a jar.
• We love using sun-dried tomato pesto for something a little different.
• Pesto should not be cooked at a high heat, so it just needs to be tossed with the pasta and warmed through.

More pesto recipes

  • Chicken pesto pasta on a plate next to a blue towel.
    Chicken Pesto Pasta
  • Pesto Salmon on a plate with asparagus and broccoli.
    Pesto Salmon
  • Pesto Chicken Sandwich next to a bowl of potato chips.
    Pesto Chicken Sandwich
  • A Quorn pesto burger in a brioche bun sat on a wooden serving board. A small jar of sauce is next to it.
    Pesto Quorn Burgers

If you’ve tried this pesto tortellini recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

Recipe

A round pink plate with pesto tortellini on it.

Pesto Tortellini

By: Dannii Martin
This pesto tortellini is a quick-win dinner. Ready in 10 minutes, with mushroom tortellini in a creamy pesto and wilted spinach.
5 from 13 votes
Pin Print Save recipe Saved!
Course: Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Prep: 2 minutes mins
Cook: 6 minutes mins
Total: 8 minutes mins
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 737kcal
Allergens:
An illustration of a carton of milk.
Dairy
An illustration of two ears of wheat.
Gluten

Ingredients

  • 300 g (10.5 oz) Tortellini - (we used mushroom)
  • 1 teaspoon Olive oil
  • 3 Shallots - diced
  • 2 Garlic cloves - crushed
  • 60 g (2 cups) Spinach
  • 100 ml (0.5 cups) Reduced fat creme fraiche
  • 3 tablespoon Pesto
  • 0.5 Lemon - juice and zest only
  • 20 g (0.25 cups) Parmesan - grated
  • 50 ml (0.25 cups) Pasta water

Instructions

  • Cook 300 g Tortellini according to the packet instructions.
  • Heat 1 teaspoon Olive oil over a low heat and cook 3 Shallots and 2 Garlic cloves for 4 minutes.
  • Add 60 g Spinach, 20 g Parmesan, 100 ml Reduced fat creme fraiche, 3 tablespoon Pesto, and the juice and zest of 0.5 Lemon. Mix well.
  • Drain the tortellini, reserving 50 ml Pasta water. Add the tortellini and water to the pan. Stir and return to the heat for 1 minutes.

Recipe Tips

  • If you are using store bought pesto, then the fresh refrigerated pesto you can get in the supermarket or farmers shop has much more flavour than a jar.
  • We love using sun-dried tomato pesto for something a little different.
  • Pesto should not be cooked at a high heat, so it just needs to be tossed with the pasta and warmed through.

Nutritional Information

Serving: 1portion | Calories: 737kcal | Carbohydrates: 80g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 66mg | Sodium: 1089mg | Potassium: 351mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 3359IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 424mg | Iron: 6mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.

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Comments

  1. Shelley says

    October 03, 2023 at 6:58 pm

    5 stars
    So fast! And even though I haven't tried all the different ideas yet ... I love your suggestions for adding shredded chicken and swapping veggies (like broccoli!) ... so many ways to switch this up every time I make it!

    Reply
  2. Nathan says

    October 03, 2023 at 6:37 pm

    5 stars
    Very excited to try this dish, I love anything with pesto and tortellini is always a hit here. Thanks so much for sharing!

    Reply
  3. Mahy says

    October 03, 2023 at 6:18 pm

    I love everything pesto. And when it's tortellini.... oh well, let's just say that I am in culinary heaven! ;-)

    Reply
  4. Kim says

    October 03, 2023 at 6:13 pm

    5 stars
    I made this with plain cheese tortellini and the kids loved it - even the "green stuff"!

    Reply
  5. Chenee says

    October 03, 2023 at 6:11 pm

    5 stars
    This looks delicious and so easy to make, too. I'm going to serve it for Meatless Monday night.

    Reply
  6. Casey says

    October 03, 2023 at 6:09 pm

    5 stars
    I love love love tortellini but haven't had it with pesto yet. I'm excited to try this!

    Reply
  7. Sara Welch says

    October 03, 2023 at 5:34 pm

    5 stars
    Enjoyed this for dinner last night and it was a savory success! Quick, easy and delicious; a great recipe for busy weeknights, indeed!

    Reply
  8. TAYLER ROSS says

    October 03, 2023 at 5:19 pm

    5 stars
    I made this tortellini for dinner last night and it was amazing! Everyone loved it- even the kids!

    Reply
  9. Suja md says

    October 03, 2023 at 4:17 pm

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious; thank you for this fantastic recipe!

    Reply
  10. Beth says

    October 03, 2023 at 4:14 pm

    5 stars
    Oh, yum! These look absolutely delicious. I love pesto, and I love tortellini. This is perfect for me!

    Reply
  11. Morgan says

    October 03, 2023 at 3:21 pm

    5 stars
    Love this preparation of tortellini-- easy to make but with a lot of flavor.

    Reply
  12. Kechi says

    October 03, 2023 at 3:00 pm

    5 stars
    I'm always on the lookout for new pasta dishes! I am all in for this one that cooks in 10 minutes. Can't wait to try!

    Reply
5 from 13 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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My name is Dannii. Here you will find easy family recipes with a healthy twist.

Established in 2011, Hungry Healthy Happy has become one of the UK's most popular food blogs, with two successful recipe books published.

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