Pesto Tortellini comes together in under 20 minutes and makes a quick weeknight meal packed with  flavor.  This dish is so easy to put together- toss cooked tortellini and pesto together, sprinkle the dish with freshly grated parmesan cheese and bake the dish for 10 minutes, giving it a cheesy topping that the whole family will love.

PESTO TORTELLINI

I adore pesto, especially in the summer when I want to have a light meal. Today’s Pesto Tortellini makes a nice, light pasta meal during the warmer months and only uses three ingredients. 

Summer in Ohio has been strange this year.

It all started the week we were in the Outer Banks.

 Ohio had a week of rain while we were gone and it has pretty much continued every week.

As far as my summer plans go I hate the rain but my garden is loving it.  

I got my first crop of green beans along with a zucchini, peppers and lots of fresh herbs.

When Mike and I bought our first house in Chicago we put a raised bed garden in and have been gardening ever since.  It is definitely a constant work in progress. 

When I was little I helped my Mom and Grandpa who both have a passion for gardening, but doing it yourself can be a a learning process.

When we moved into our new house in December I didn’t realize the treat I was in for when everything bloomed. We have a truly amazing backyard.

I love sitting outside on our back patio with a cup of coffee, enjoying nature’s beauty.

 I especially love out little potting shed and gardens in the back of the yard. I now have a whole space dedicated to my gardens.

Not only do I enjoy growing my own food but I like to use it as a teaching tool for my children so they can learn where their food comes from, get their hands dirty and have an appreciation for the earth and the food we eat.

I always have a lot of fresh herbs to use up in the summer and today’s recipe for my Pesto Tortellini is a great excuse to put that basil to good use.  

I grow at least three pots of basil each year.  It is one of my favorite herbs to use in cooking and salads, like this Caprese Pasta Salad.

I also love pesto and use it in recipes like this Pesto Pasta with Green Beans Sun-dried Tomatoes and Pine Nuts and this Spring Vegetable Minestrone.

One of my go-to uses for basil is homemade pesto. I haven’t shared a homemade pesto recipe on my blog but there are lots of great recipes out there.  

When I make homemade pesto I use this recipe. 

It is so easy to make if you have a blender or food processor.

Pesto can be used in many ways from a spread on a sandwich, to a sauce with a pasta, to a dressing in a pasta salad.

If you don’t want to make your own you can easily pick up a jar at the store to make things even easier.

WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE IN THIS PESTO TORTELLINI?

TORTELLINI: The star of this recipe is tortellini. I used cheese tortellini but you can use your favorite filling. 

PARMESAN CHEESE: The shredded Parmesan cheese is a great finishing touch. You can also use mozzarella cheese if you like. 

PESTO: You can buy your favorite store-bought pesto or make it at home. You will love the fresh, light flavor it adds to the tortellini.