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helping you break free from diet culture

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whole grain tortellini with homemade pesto

2 · Oct 23, 2012 · 18 Comments

So, I realize the majority of you know what I eat for dinner on a daily basis.  

For those of you that don’t and want to know?  Follow me on Instagram. 

Today I wanted to share one of my favorite easy main dishes.  This is one I turn to often when I want to minimize time spent and maximize nutrition!  

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I actually can’t take credit for this dinner.  I read about it a while back in a summer issue of Runner’s World but it’s quickly become a favorite in our house.  Especially when we want to go meatless!

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My favorite part about it is how versatile it is.  While we normally stick to adding asparagus and mushrooms  – you could add any number of different veggies and it would go great.  Broccoli, tomatoes, spinach…the list goes on and on.  It’s a great way to get whole grains, dairy, healthy fats and veggies all in one meal.

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Whole Grain Tortellini with Homemade Pesto

Serves 2

Ingredients:

  • 1 package of whole grain cheese tortellini (I used Butoni)

For the Pesto (source):

  • 2/3 cup pine nuts
  • 20 large, fresh basil leaves
  • 2/3 cup parsley
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
  • 4 whole, peeled garlic cloves
  • Kosher salt and black pepper to taste

Directions:

  • Prepare cheese tortellini according to the package instructions.
  • Combine pesto ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth.
  • Add prepared pesto onto the prepared tortellini and gently mix until well combined

Addition suggestions: Parmesan cheese, sauteed vegetables, sun-dried tomatoes, toasted nuts…the sky’s the limit!

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2

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DINNER, MADE HEALTHIER pesto, tortellini

please note: items in these posts may contain affiliate links which simply means I earn a small amount of money if you click on them (at no additional cost to you).  this money is always re-invested in cait’s plate so I can continue to create free content to you!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. natalie @ will jog for food says

    Oct. 23rd, 2012 at 7:03 pm

    I LOVE Pesto! I need to eat it more often 🙂

    Reply
    • Cait says

      Oct. 23rd, 2012 at 7:17 pm

      It’s SO good, right!? I definitely don’t use it enough myself!

      Reply
  2. Liz @ Tip Top Shape says

    Oct. 23rd, 2012 at 8:07 pm

    This looks so tasty!! I would have trouble keeping myself from eating the entire pot, though! lol

    Reply
    • Cait says

      Oct. 24th, 2012 at 8:52 am

      Haha – tell me about it! That’s why I don’t make more than 2 servings at a time so that by the time we both have ours, there’s none left! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Lauren says

    Oct. 23rd, 2012 at 8:19 pm

    Mmmm, I adore homemade pesto sauce! And tortellini. Any stuffed pasta is a winner in my book.

    Reply
    • Cait says

      Oct. 24th, 2012 at 8:54 am

      I completely agree – it definitely takes a pasta dish to the next level 🙂

      Reply
  4. Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says

    Oct. 23rd, 2012 at 9:38 pm

    YUM! I love pesto because it really is SO easy. And I don’t know why I always forget about sundried tomatoes, I absolutely love the flavor – especially with pesto!

    Reply
    • Cait says

      Oct. 24th, 2012 at 8:57 am

      I know – I always forget about it too! I have no idea why because it’s one of the best things ever! And agreed – I need to try this with sun-dried tomatoes because that would be the best flavor combination I bet!

      Reply
  5. MigraineMe says

    Oct. 24th, 2012 at 1:45 am

    Looks delicious!

    Reply
    • Cait says

      Oct. 24th, 2012 at 8:57 am

      Thanks! 🙂 It definitely was!

      Reply
  6. Life's a Bowl says

    Oct. 24th, 2012 at 7:15 am

    Delic! I’ve never made homemade pesto but it doesn’t seem too hard! As my husband would say “pesto is the besto!” 😛 The addition of parm + sun dried tomatoes + mushrooms + broccoli [and maybe peas?] all sound wonderful!!!

    Reply
    • Cait says

      Oct. 24th, 2012 at 8:59 am

      It’s SUPER easy and it’s so worth it to make it on your own because you can really control the flavors you add! And I love the peas addition idea! Or even edamame!!

      Reply
  7. Katie says

    Oct. 24th, 2012 at 9:59 am

    Perfect! I may make this for Meeker tonight! (He begged)

    Reply
    • Cait says

      Oct. 24th, 2012 at 11:06 am

      Ahaha, I love that. It’s super easy so it would be a good one to do 🙂

      Though, for Meeker you might want to throw like a slab of steak or something in there for him to be 100% happy 😉

      Reply
  8. Cara @ I Don't Believe in Diets says

    Oct. 24th, 2012 at 10:24 am

    Wow that makes my mouth water just look at it! Will definitely be trying this out.

    Reply
  9. Cait says

    Oct. 24th, 2012 at 11:07 am

    Yay! Let me know what you think if you do! 🙂

    Reply
  10. Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says

    Oct. 25th, 2012 at 7:31 am

    I tried making homemade pesto and it didn’t work out as planned. I’m going to try your recipe. It looks delicious 🙂

    Reply
    • Cait says

      Oct. 25th, 2012 at 8:17 am

      Let me know what you think! While I can’t take credit for it, I do think it’s a good one! 🙂

      Reply

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