Pesto Tortellini with Homemade Pesto

October 2024 · 8 minute read
collage showing a top down view of pesto tortellini in a cast iron skillet and also a collage showing how to make the homemade basil pesto. center color block with text overlay.

This delicious Pesto Tortellini comes together beautifully and quickly with a homemade basil pesto sauce! Fresh and flavorful pesto made with basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, quality olive oil and a hint of garlic and lemon with fresh cheese tortellini is a match made in heaven! Great for busy weeknights!

Love pasta recipes? Make sure to try my Mac and Cheese, Stuffed Shells and this Chicken Alfredo Bake!

Pesto Tortellini Recipe

One of the most simple yet delicious recipes in my weeknight dinners repertoire, this quick and easy Pesto Tortellini recipe has amazing flavor thanks to the homemade pesto sauce. Fresh, flavorful, fantastic pesto sauce is the key ingredient in this recipe and perfectly complements the cheesy tortellini. It is so incredibly easy to make your own pesto and it tastes much better than any jarred version.

Pesto freezes really well too so go ahead and double or triple the batch so you can have yummy homemade pesto at any time!

Basil Pesto Recipe

This recipe is all about the homemade basil pesto! Made with fresh basil, toasted pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, high quality olive oil and a hint of garlic and lemon, this fresh basil pesto is loaded with flavor and is perfect with pasta and is terrific in so many other ways:

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Why You’ll Love This Pesto Tortellini Recipe

Delicious cheese tortellini coated with a tasty homemade pesto – weeknight dinners don’t get much better than this. This simple recipe is sure to become a new favorite!

How To Make Pesto Tortellini

This recipe couldn’t be easier to prepare! Let’s take a quick look at how to make this recipe and as always, you can find the full printable recipe with complete instructions in the recipe card at the end of this post.

  • Tortellini. Cook the tortellini according to the package instructions, reserving some cooking water for later.
  • Basil Pesto. Process basil, garlic, Parmesan, pine nuts, olive oil and lemon juice in a food processor until smooth, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Combine. Combine the pesto with the cooked tortellini, adding cooking water as needed to achieve your desired consistency.
  • Serve. Garnish with shaved Parmesan, toasted pine nuts and fresh basil leaves. Serve and enjoy!
  • Toasted Pine Nuts

    Storage Information

    Storage. This dish is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. I don’t recommend freezing the assembled dish as the pasta can get mushy when thawed.

    Make Ahead. Making the pesto in advance is a great time-saver. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week or frozen for up to a month. Just ensure it’s well-covered or stored in an airtight container to maintain freshness.

    Freezing. The pesto can be frozen for up to a month. Store in a freezer safe, airtight container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.

    Variations To Try

    Trish’s Tips

    Can I use store bought pesto instead?

    Sure! I love the flavor and freshness of homemade pesto but store bought pesto can be a great time saver.

    What if I don’t have a food processor?

    The pesto can also be made in a blender although keep in mind that you will likely need to scrape the sides of the blender often. A mortar and pestle will also work although the pesto will have more texture.

    How do I keep my fresh pesto bright green?

    The key to keeping the pesto’s bright green color is the addition of lemon juice. The acid helps prevent oxidation. Also, try storing the pesto with a layer of olive oil on top in an airtight container in the refrigerator to help maintain its vibrant color.

    What if it’s too thick or too thin?

    Too thick? Add a bit more of the reserved pasta cooking water to the skillet, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. Too thin? Let the pasta simmer on low heat for a few minutes can help thicken it up.

    Serving Suggestions

    Pair this delicious pasta with a crisp, green salad dressed in a simple vinaigrette, fresh bread and Strawberry Italian Soda for the kids and kids at heart. A glass of light Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc beautifully complements the rich flavors of the pesto.

    More Delicious Pasta Recipes

  • Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta
  • Lazy Day Lasagna
  • Velveeta Mac and Cheese
  • Chili Mac and Cheese
  • Cheeseburger Casserole
  • Pesto Tortellini

    This delicious Pesto Tortellini comes together beautifully and quickly with a homemade basil pesto sauce! Fresh and flavorful pesto made with basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, quality olive oil and a hint of garlic and lemon with fresh cheese tortellini is a match made in heaven! Great for busy weeknights!

    Course Main Course, Main Dish Cuisine American, Italian Keyword pesto tortellini, tortellini pasta, tortellini with pesto Prep Time 10 minutes Cook Time 2 minutes Servings 4 Calories 736kcal Author Trish – Mom On Timeout

    Ingredients

    For the pesto

    To serve

    Instructions

    Notes

    Toasted Pine Nuts Toasting the pine nuts will really amp up the flavor however un-toasted pine nuts also work well. If you are going to toast your pine nuts add them to a small dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently until lightly browned. Watch them carefully as they are easy to burn if left unattended. Storage Information Storage. This dish is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. I don’t recommend freezing the assembled dish as the pasta can get mushy when thawed. Make Ahead. Making the pesto in advance is a great time-saver. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week or frozen for up to a month. Just ensure it’s well-covered or stored in an airtight container to maintain freshness. Freezing. The pesto can be frozen for up to a month. Store in a freezer safe, airtight container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 736kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 917mg | Potassium: 110mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 782IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 449mg | Iron: 5mg

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