Basil pesto is scrumptious stirred by this creamy rooster pesto tortellini! It is a fast and simple pasta dinner with tacky tortellini, herby pesto, juicy rooster, and contemporary spinach. Make it in a single pan in 20 minutes.
My sister and I are all the time discussing learn how to embody protein and veggies in our youngsters’ favourite meals. In fact, you are able to do it the sneaky means, like this pink pepper pasta sauce or a rooster pasta bake. Nevertheless, I made a decision to flip my one-pan Italian rooster tortellini into this scrumptious, straightforward rooster pesto tortellini, and it was a HUGE success with the pasta fiends in my home. It’s a brilliant tasty, 20-minute dinner that mixes tortellini pasta, basil pesto, and (leftover) rooster in probably the most wonderful, creamy sauce.
Issues to Know About This One-Pan Hen Pesto Tortellini
- Gentle and creamy. This dish is straightforward and fast, because of the fast-cooking cheese tortellini. It’s additionally tremendous creamy, however mild, with low-fat cream cheese within the sauce.
- Filled with pesto. Herby basil pesto is flavor-packed, with a little bit of chunkiness from the pine nuts. I may eat it by the spoonful, however I’ll accept stirring it right into a creamy tortellini rooster pasta.
- Straightforward clear up. One pan, 20 minutes, and simple elements mix on this straightforward tortellini recipe. It’s the stuff of weeknight dinner desires.
- 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 positively deserves a second point out!
Elements You’ll Must Make This Recipe
Pasta recipes are a few of my favourite “fridge dinners” as a result of I can filter out the elements which have been lingering for some time. Right here’s a have a look at what you’ll have to make this tortellini with pesto and rooster. Scroll to the recipe card for the complete record, measurements, and step-by-step recipe directions.
- Tortellini – Any type 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 may also make this recipe with parsley pesto or spinach pesto.
- Hen Broth – I prefer to cook dinner with low-sodium rooster broth or inventory. For additional depth of taste, change ½ of the rooster 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; nonetheless, you should utilize pre-grated parmesan if that’s what you could have.
- 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 rooster breasts or rotisserie rooster. If you happen to don’t have leftover rooster, reduce up a couple of rooster breasts into rooster bites and cook dinner them, as I did right here.
- Child Spinach – Recent or frozen. If you happen to’re utilizing frozen spinach, thaw and drain the spinach effectively. You may also use chopped Swiss chard or kale.
- Mozzarella and Recent Basil – Non-compulsory, for serving. I prefer to soften entire mozzarella slices on high 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 rooster on this recipe. Attempt penne, rigatoni, fusilli, and even gnocchi. The cooking occasions will range relying on the kind of pasta you employ, although, so take note of the bundle instructions.
Suggestions 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. Attempt 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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Prepare dinner the pasta. Prepare dinner the tortellini based on 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 rooster 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 rooster. Stir within the rooster and spinach; cook dinner for 1 to 2 minutes, or till the rooster is heated by 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). If you happen to’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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Take pleasure in! 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 might range based on the elements and instruments used. Please use your most well-liked dietary calculator for extra detailed information.
The best way to Make Hen Pesto Tortellini
Making ready the tortellini takes minutes, and I get the sauce going within the meantime. Every little thing will get tossed with rooster, cheese, and spinach earlier than it’s able to serve. Fairly breezy, huh? Right here’s learn how to make this creamy pesto tortellini with rooster in a couple of brief steps.
- Prepare dinner the tortellini. Convey a pot of salted water to a boil, and cook dinner your tortellini based on the bundle instructions. The cooking time will probably be shorter for those who’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. Prepare dinner till the cheese melts and the sauce thickens and turns into creamy.
- Put all of it collectively. Add the rooster items and spinach to the sauce. Stir till that heats by. Then, drain the tortellini, and add it to your skillet. Slowly stir so the whole lot is evenly coated.
- Add mozzarella (non-compulsory). If you happen to’re including mozzarella cheese, layer the slices or shredded cheese on high of the creamy tortellini. If you happen to’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 high, and serve!
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigerate. Retailer any leftover rooster 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. If you happen to discover the pasta a bit dry from storage, stir in a splash of broth or milk.
