Description
Make this quick, comforting one-pot meal featuring cheesy tortellini coated in bright pesto sauce with sweet, burst cherry tomatoes. Perfect for easy weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) fresh refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 ¼ cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream OR ¾ cup cream + ¼ cup milk
- ½ cup basil pesto
- 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
- Grated parmesan for garnish
- Extra pesto for drizzling
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or pot over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30–45 seconds until fragrant and lightly golden. Do not let the garlic burn.
- Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Add the fresh tortellini. Stir to coat them evenly and prevent sticking. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tortellini is tender and the sauce begins to thicken. Simmer gently to avoid splitting the cream.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in the basil pesto until the sauce is a rich green color. Add the halved cherry tomatoes. Let this simmer for 1–2 minutes, just long enough for the tomatoes to soften slightly while remaining juicy.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of broth. If the sauce is too thin, simmer uncovered for 1–2 minutes more. Add pepper and red pepper flakes to taste.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Finish the dish by stirring in torn fresh basil leaves and grated parmesan. Drizzle extra pesto over the top before serving immediately.
Notes
- Tortellini continues to soften if left sitting in the sauce, so serve this dish right away for the best texture.
- Taste the sauce before adding extra salt, as pesto often contains a high salt content.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 750
- Fat: 45
- Saturated Fat: 20
- Unsaturated Fat: 25
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 20
- Cholesterol: 90
Keywords: One-Pot Pesto Tortellini, Cherry Tomatoes, Easy Pasta, Quick Dinner, Family Dinner, Weeknight Meal, Creamy Pesto, Tortellini Recipe