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Quick Creamy Pesto Tortellini

creamy pesto tortellini - featured image
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A quick and creamy pesto tortellini dish ready in just 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights and packed with fresh basil flavor and comforting creaminess.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 9 ounces (250 grams) cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
  • 1/3 cup (80 ml) pesto sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/4 cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves (optional, handful)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add about 1 tablespoon of salt to the water; it should taste like the sea.
  2. Add the tortellini to the boiling water. Cook according to package instructions, usually about 3–5 minutes for fresh, 5–7 minutes for frozen. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. The tortellini is ready when it floats to the surface and is tender but still has a slight bite.
  3. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Reduce heat to low and stir in the pesto sauce. Let it warm gently for a minute while stirring.
  5. Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 2–3 minutes, thickening slightly.
  6. Drain the tortellini, reserving about 1/4 cup (60 ml) of the pasta water.
  7. Toss the drained tortellini into the skillet with the sauce. Stir gently to coat all the pieces. If the sauce seems too thick, add a bit of reserved pasta water to loosen it.
  8. Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
  9. Serve immediately, topped with grated Parmesan and fresh basil leaves if desired.

Notes

Do not overcook the tortellini to avoid mushy texture. Sauté garlic just until fragrant to prevent bitterness. Warm pesto gently on low heat to preserve fresh flavor. Stir in cream slowly to prevent curdling. Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce if needed. Season carefully as pesto and Parmesan add saltiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: quick dinner, creamy pesto, tortellini recipe, easy pasta, weeknight meal, basil, garlic, Parmesan

Find it online: https://merrymorsel.com/quick-creamy-pesto-tortellini-recipe-15-minute-easy-dinner-idea/