Imagine a plate of perfectly cooked tortellini, swimming in a vibrant green pesto sauce, studded with juicy cherry tomatoes and topped with golden Parmesan cheese. This isn't just another pasta dish - it's a culinary adventure that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal you can create right in your own kitchen. Whether you're looking to impress dinner guests or treat yourself to a gourmet weeknight dinner, this Chicken Cheese Tortellini with Pesto recipe is about to become your new obsession!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 package cheese tortellini
- 1 cup pesto sauce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and add a pinch of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Add the cheese tortellini to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions, typically 8-10 minutes, until the pasta is al dente and floating to the surface.
- While the tortellini is cooking, prepare a large skillet over medium heat. If using chicken, season and cook chicken pieces until golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Drain the cooked tortellini in a colander, reserving about 1/4 cup of pasta water to help create a smoother sauce.
- Return the skillet to medium heat and add the pesto sauce, stirring to warm it through.
- Add the drained tortellini to the skillet, gently tossing to coat evenly with the pesto sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a little reserved pasta water to loosen it.
- Fold in the halved cherry tomatoes and allow them to warm slightly, about 1-2 minutes.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta and gently mix to incorporate.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, ensuring all ingredients are well combined.
- Transfer the tortellini to serving plates and garnish with fresh basil leaves.
- Serve immediately while hot, with additional Parmesan cheese on the side if desired.
Tips
- Always salt your pasta water generously - it's your first chance to add flavor to the dish.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining, as the starchy liquid helps create a silky, clingy sauce.
- Don't overcook the tortellini - aim for al dente to maintain a perfect texture.
- For extra flavor, consider briefly toasting the Parmesan cheese in a dry pan before sprinkling over the dish.
- If you want to make this dish even more special, try using fresh, homemade pesto when possible.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute half the pesto with Greek yogurt to reduce calories.
- Let the dish rest for a minute after mixing to allow the flavors to meld together perfectly.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 230kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 15mg
