Pesto Tortellini and Asparagus Skillet Recipe
This Pesto Tortellini and Asparagus Skillet is a quick and delicious one-pan meal featuring tender cheese-filled tortellini tossed with crisp asparagus, juicy cherry tomatoes, and aromatic basil pesto. Finished with fresh parmesan cheese and a hint of red pepper flakes, this dish delivers vibrant flavors and a satisfying texture perfect for a weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 20 oz Cheese-filled Tortellini (found in the refrigerated section)
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 lb. asparagus (cut into 2 inch pieces)
- 8 oz. cherry tomatoes (whole or halved)
- 2 tsp garlic (minced)
Seasonings & Oils
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup basil pesto
- ½ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
Cheese
- ⅓ cup parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
Instructions
- Cook Tortellini: In a large pot of boiling water, cook the cheese-filled tortellini according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Sauté Asparagus and Tomatoes: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Add the cut asparagus and cook for about 3 minutes until tender-crisp. Then add the cherry tomatoes and continue cooking for an additional 3 minutes until the tomatoes are lightly charred.
- Add Garlic and Combine: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the cooked tortellini, reserved pasta water, basil pesto, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Stir everything together to combine and heat through.
- Finish with Parmesan: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the freshly grated parmesan cheese. Serve immediately, topping with extra parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water to help loosen the sauce and bring everything together smoothly.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your spice preference.
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese provides better flavor and texture than pre-grated.
- Use a large skillet to ensure even cooking and easy tossing of ingredients.
- For a vegan option, substitute the cheese-filled tortellini with a plant-based alternative and use vegan pesto and cheese.
Keywords: pesto tortellini, asparagus skillet, easy pasta, Italian pasta, vegetarian dinner, one-pan meal, basil pesto recipe
