Basil pesto is scrumptious stirred by way of this creamy hen pesto tortellini! It is a fast and straightforward pasta dinner with tacky tortellini, herby pesto, juicy hen, and contemporary spinach. Make it in a single pan in 20 minutes.
My sister and I are all the time discussing the right way to embody protein and veggies in our youngsters’ favourite meals. After all, you are able to do it the sneaky method, like this pink pepper pasta sauce or a hen pasta bake. Nevertheless, I made a decision to flip my one-pan Italian hen tortellini into this scrumptious, simple hen pesto tortellini, and it was a HUGE success with the pasta fiends in my home. It’s an excellent tasty, 20-minute dinner that mixes tortellini pasta, basil pesto, and (leftover) hen in probably the most superb, creamy sauce.
Issues to Know About This One-Pan Hen Pesto Tortellini
- Gentle and creamy. This dish is simple and fast, because of the fast-cooking cheese tortellini. It’s additionally tremendous creamy, however mild, with low-fat cream cheese within the sauce.
- Full of pesto. Herby basil pesto is flavor-packed, with a little bit of chunkiness from the pine nuts. I might eat it by the spoonful, however I’ll accept stirring it right into a creamy tortellini hen pasta.
- Straightforward clear up. One pan, 20 minutes, and straightforward components mix on this simple tortellini recipe. It’s the stuff of weeknight dinner goals.
- A family-favorite. Pairing frozen or refrigerated tortellini with contemporary veggies, lean protein, and low-fat dairy creates a meal that’s grownup and kid-friendly. Did I point out it’s scrumptious? As a result of it undoubtedly deserves a second point out!
Elements You’ll Have to Make This Recipe
Pasta recipes are a few of my favourite “fridge dinners” as a result of I can filter the components which were lingering for some time. Right here’s a take a look at what you’ll must make this tortellini with pesto and hen. Scroll to the recipe card for the complete record, measurements, and step-by-step recipe directions.
- Tortellini – Any variety goes, however my children are partial to a few cheese tortellini, which embody creamy ricotta, aged Parmesan, and Romano. So good! You need to use cheese, veggie, or meat-filled tortellini.
- Olive Oil – Or one other impartial cooking oil for sautéing the garlic.
- Garlic – Freshly minced, or you should utilize ½ teaspoon of garlic powder per clove.
- Pesto – Use your favourite jarred or home made basil pesto. You too can make this recipe with parsley pesto or spinach pesto.
- Hen Broth – I prefer to cook dinner with low-sodium hen broth or inventory. For further depth of taste, exchange ½ of the hen broth with dry white wine, like Chardonnay.
- Cream Cheese – Use the kind of cream cheese that is available in bricks, and chop it into small chunks so it’s simpler to soften. For a lighter dish, use low-fat cream cheese.
- Parmesan Cheese – Freshly grated is finest; nevertheless, you should utilize pre-grated parmesan if that’s what you’ve got.
- Italian Seasoning – Dried oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary, or any mixture of those herbs will work, too.
- Hen – This pesto tortellini recipe is a good way to make use of up leftover baked hen breasts or rotisserie hen. In case you don’t have leftover hen, lower up a number of hen breasts into hen bites and cook dinner them, as I did right here.
- Child Spinach – Recent or frozen. In case you’re utilizing frozen spinach, thaw and drain the spinach effectively. You too can use chopped Swiss chard or kale.
- Mozzarella and Recent Basil – Optionally available, for serving. I prefer to soften entire mozzarella slices on prime of the tortellini, or you should utilize shredded mozzarella. Lower the basil into ribbons.
Can I Use One other Kind of Pasta?
Sure. Whereas I like tacky tortellini, any brief pasta goes splendidly with the pesto and hen on this recipe. Strive penne, rigatoni, fusilli, and even gnocchi. The cooking occasions will fluctuate relying on the kind of pasta you utilize, although, so take note of the bundle instructions.
Ideas and Variations
- Season the pasta water. Earlier than cooking the tortellini (or any pasta), add a beneficiant 2-3 spoonfuls of desk salt to the boiling water. Salting the water yields extra flavorful pasta. It’s a small tip that makes a distinction each time I cook dinner pasta.
- Swap the pesto. Strive a model with sun-dried tomato pesto or olive tapenade for a special taste profile.
- Add extra veggies. Embrace further veggies like onions, broccoli, bell peppers, asparagus, artichoke hearts, or mushrooms. You’ll be able to sauté them earlier than including the garlic.
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Cook dinner the pasta. Cook dinner the tortellini in accordance with the instructions on the bundle.
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Sauté. Within the meantime, warmth olive oil in a big nonstick skillet. Add the garlic and cook dinner for 15 seconds, or till aromatic.
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Make the sauce. Stir within the pesto. Add the hen broth and produce to a boil. Then, whisk within the cut-up cream cheese. Add the Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning, and proceed whisking till you get a creamy sauce.
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Add the hen. Stir within the hen and spinach; cook dinner for 1 to 2 minutes, or till the hen is heated by way of and the spinach is wilted.
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Add tortellini. Drain the tortellini and add them to the skillet; slowly stir to coat.
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Add cheese (non-compulsory). In case you’re including mozzarella cheese, layer the slices excessive of the tortellini combination and broil for 1 to 2 minutes, or till the cheese is melted.
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Get pleasure from! Garnish with contemporary basil ribbons and serve.
Energy: 625kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 49g | Fats: 31g | Saturated Fats: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 2g | Monounsaturated Fats: 7g | Ldl cholesterol: 138mg | Sodium: 917mg | Potassium: 737mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 7459IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 426mg | Iron: 5mg
Dietary information is an estimate and supplied as courtesy. Values could fluctuate in accordance with the components and instruments used. Please use your most popular dietary calculator for extra detailed information.
How you can Make Hen Pesto Tortellini
Making ready the tortellini takes minutes, and I get the sauce going within the meantime. All the things will get tossed with hen, cheese, and spinach earlier than it’s able to serve. Fairly breezy, huh? Right here’s the right way to make this creamy pesto tortellini with hen in a number of brief steps.
- Cook dinner the tortellini. Convey a pot of salted water to a boil, and cook dinner your tortellini in accordance with the bundle instructions. The cooking time can be shorter in case you’re utilizing contemporary tortellini.
- Sauté. In the meantime, in a big skillet, sauté the garlic. After 30 seconds, add the pesto and broth.
- Make it tacky. Subsequent, stir within the cream cheese, parmesan, and Italian seasoning. Cook dinner till the cheese melts and the sauce thickens and turns into creamy.
- Put all of it collectively. Add the hen items and spinach to the sauce. Stir till that heats by way of. Then, drain the tortellini, and add it to your skillet. Slowly stir so the whole lot is evenly coated.
- Add mozzarella (non-compulsory). In case you’re including mozzarella cheese, layer the slices or shredded cheese on prime of the creamy tortellini. In case you’re utilizing an oven-proof skillet, place the pan underneath your oven’s broiler for 1-2 minutes to soften the cheese. In any other case, cowl the pan with a lid to assist encourage the cheese to soften.
- End and serve. Slice up some contemporary basil ribbons, sprinkle them on prime, and serve!
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigerate. Retailer any leftover hen pesto tortellini in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days. I don’t suggest this dish for freezing.
- Reheat. Heat up the tortellini within the microwave or in a saucepan on the range. In case you discover the pasta a bit dry from storage, stir in a splash of broth or milk.
