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Creamy Skillet Tortellini with Arugula Pesto

March 8, 2017 By Patricia 36 Comments

A creamy, easy-to-make, and super-flavorful pasta dish is something that’s hard to ignore. Creamy Skillet Tortellini with Arugula Pesto is irresistible!

Creamy Skillet Tortellini with Arugula Pesto is a delicious dish. It's so easy to make, too.

What can you do when you have a small, raised-bed garden and your arugula greens are growing out of control? I swear the “Mission Impossible” theme song was running through my head as I looked at my little garden in amazement!

My mission was to find a delicious use for my amazing arugula. Mission accomplished!  My Creamy Skillet Tortellini with Arugula Pesto is a creamy, filling, and colorful dish that’s meatless, too.

I’m so happy that we can grow even a little something in our backyard. It’s nothing like the giant garden my parents put together, but it’s my little patch of goodness.

Creamy Skillet Tortellini with Arugula Pesto makes a quick meal. Easy to make and big on flavor!

I’ve eaten countless salads and soups made with my garden’s arugula, but eventually, I found myself shouting, “WHAT MORE CAN I DO WITH YOU, ARUGULA?” To myself and in my head, in case you imagined me standing outside, shaking my fist at my garden.

Then it hit me, “Well, Patricia, you can make pesto with arugula!” I’ve made pesto using kale (check out my recipe for kale pesto pasta with roasted tomatoes and white beans).

I use red peppers and artichoke for my grilled shrimp wraps with red pepper-artichoke pesto recipe. And, of course, I’ve gone with tradition and used basil for pesto in my spaghetti squash “pasta” with pesto and roasted tomatoes recipe.

Creamy Skillet Tortellini with Arugula Pesto is a fabulous dish! It makes a great meatless meal, too!

But it’s now time for arugula to shine: Creamy Skillet Tortellini with Arugula Pesto is full of flavor and color, and, get this: you can have in on the table in about 20 minutes — 30 minutes, tops.

Use fresh tortellini to make this dish quickly. The cooking time on the package of cheese tortellini I picked up was just 7 minutes. Here’s the silly thing: it was a 9-ounce-package of tortellini. Not 8 ounces. Not 10 ounces. Nine ounces! It worked and serves four people, easily.

Creamy Skillet Tortellini with Arugula Pesto is a filling and colorful dish! This meatless dish is so easy to make, too!

Creamy Skillet Tortellini with Arugula Pesto is a colorful dish that works well for a special occasion, or for any weeknight dinner. It’s easy to toss it together, and the arugula works perfectly to make a delightful pesto.

Creamy Skillet Tortellini with Arugula Pesto is a delightful dish! It's mealtess, flavorfull, and easy to make!

Nutrition

Calories

73 cal

Fat

7 g

Carbs

1 g
Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info
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Yields 4 servings

Creamy Skillet Tortellini with Arugula Pesto
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Ingredients

    For the pesto:
  • 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
  • 2 cups (packed) arugula leaves
  • 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • Salt, to season
  • Ground black pepper, to season
  • For the tortellini:
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 cup yellow onion, diced
  • 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup vegetable broth
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 1 (9-ounce) package fresh cheese tortellini
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

Instructions

    For the pesto:
  1. Combine all the ingredients (start with 1 tablespoon of the oil and add more if needed) in a food processor and blend until smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning, as needed.
  2. Remove and set aside.
  3. For the tortellini:
  4. In a large skillet over medium-low heat, add the oil. When hot, add the onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until they soften. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  5. Add the vegetable broth to the skillet and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the tortellini. Cover and cook for 3-4 minutes.
  6. Remove the lid and cook for another minute or so. Add the cream to the mixture and gently toss to combine. Add the tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes or so.
  7. Remove from the heat and gently fold in the pesto.
  8. Serve warm.
7.8.1.2
135
https://www.azgrabaplate.com/creamy-skillet-tortellini-arugula-pesto/

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Filed Under: Dinner, Lunch, Recipes, Vegetarian Tagged With: arugula, easy meals, pasta, pesto, skillet meals, tortellini

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Comments

  1. Amber says

    March 8, 2017 at 2:44 pm

    I'm pinning this. Looks amazing.
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 8, 2017 at 11:41 pm

      Thank you!! Enjoy!
      Reply
  2. Diana says

    March 8, 2017 at 2:46 pm

    This looks amazing! Pesto is one of my favorite ingredients. Pinned for later :)
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 8, 2017 at 11:41 pm

      Thanks so much, Diana! Yes, it's great on sandwiches, too!
      Reply
  3. Andrea says

    March 8, 2017 at 2:53 pm

    and considering they're predicting cold weather for NYC this coming weekend.....
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 8, 2017 at 11:40 pm

      Comfort food for sure! Stay warm, Andrea!
      Reply
  4. Melanie @ Nutritious Eats says

    March 8, 2017 at 3:10 pm

    Yum! This is a quick fix dinner my kids love but I use Costco pesto when I am in a hurry. Love the homemade version- arugula is so good! Pinning!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 8, 2017 at 11:40 pm

      Hi Melanie! Thanks so much - it really is a pretty quick dish to make! Hope you try it and you and your kids love it!
      Reply
  5. Shashi at RunninSrilankan says

    March 8, 2017 at 3:57 pm

    This is one winner of an arugula-tortellini dinner! You put your garden arugula to good use in this - I;m kinda wishing I had your problem with overgrown arugula - instead of overgrown weeds! :)
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 8, 2017 at 11:39 pm

      Ha! Little garden, few weeds! That's the only benefit, I guess! Thanks so much for the kind words!
      Reply
  6. Ginger Marie says

    March 8, 2017 at 4:56 pm

    Girlfriend, I just love your blog! I am SUCH huge fan of arugula, but I never thought to make a pesto with it!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 8, 2017 at 11:38 pm

      Hey! Thanks so much - you made my day :) I love, LOVE arugula, too. I hope you get to try this dish - easy and delish!
      Reply
  7. Kimberly @ Berly's Kitchen says

    March 8, 2017 at 5:41 pm

    This pasta dish looks amazing! Pesto is one of my favorite sauces for pasta. However, it's not utilized nearly enough. Arugula pesto is so tasty. I love the peppery flavor it gives the food. This sounds wonderful.
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 8, 2017 at 11:37 pm

      Hi Kimberly! Oh, yes, I love arugula for just about anything! You're right about the peppery flavor! Hope you try this dish soon!
      Reply
  8. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says

    March 8, 2017 at 6:52 pm

    This looks and sounds so good! I love tortellini and am always looking for new recipes. Will save this for later. Thanks!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 8, 2017 at 11:36 pm

      Thanks a bunch, Crystal! Hope you get to try this soon, and like it!
      Reply
  9. Krsyten says

    March 8, 2017 at 7:45 pm

    I love pestos that are made from unconventional things, for example, I made a spinach and pea arugula last night that was to die for! I'm going o have to try this one out!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 8, 2017 at 11:35 pm

      Awesome, right?! Now I'm craving peas :) thanks so much, Krsyten!
      Reply
  10. candy says

    March 8, 2017 at 7:59 pm

    Tortellini sounds wonderful and using a pesto sauce make it even richer tasting and some tang to the dish. Really filling.
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 8, 2017 at 11:35 pm

      Thanks, Candy! Definitely a filling and flavorful dish!
      Reply
  11. Mallory Mitchell says

    March 8, 2017 at 9:47 pm

    Omg this looks amazing!! Anything in a cast iron pan is worthy of trying out in my book. I love how colorful everything is as well. YUM!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 8, 2017 at 11:34 pm

      Thanks so much, Mallory! I LOVE cooking with a cast iron skillet!
      Reply
  12. BOnnie says

    March 9, 2017 at 12:26 am

    I LOVE using pesto!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 10, 2017 at 12:06 am

      Hi Bonnie! I bet you'd like this dish if you love pesto! Hope you get to try it soon! Thanks so much for stopping by!
      Reply
  13. Robin says

    March 9, 2017 at 2:04 am

    Omg, this looks and sounds absolutely delicious! My Whole Foods just started stocking fresh, handmade, unfrozen pasta, and so I've been making tortellini a lot--never thought of using my cast iron skillet for it!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 10, 2017 at 12:05 am

      Thanks so much, Robin! Oh! Super convenient! Hope you're motivated to try this dish soon!
      Reply
  14. Amanda | Maple Alps says

    March 9, 2017 at 2:12 am

    I love pesto and I love tortellini. This looks so perfectly creamy and delicious.
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 10, 2017 at 12:05 am

      Then you'll definitely love this dish! I hope you try it soon! Thanks, Amanda!
      Reply
  15. Jai Want says

    March 9, 2017 at 9:12 am

    This looks amazing! I need to try this fantastic recipe soon!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 10, 2017 at 12:04 am

      So glad you like it, Jai! I hope you get a chance to make it soon!
      Reply
  16. Rebecca Hicks says

    March 9, 2017 at 2:03 pm

    What a great idea! I've never thought of making arugula pesto before, but now I really want to. I love this recipe- sounds DELISH. Sharing on Pinterest!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 10, 2017 at 12:04 am

      Thanks so much, Rebecca! Hope you give it a try and love it as much as I do!
      Reply
  17. Rachel @ My Urban Oven says

    March 9, 2017 at 5:52 pm

    I Love arugula and have the same thoughts about what else I can use it for. I am jealous you have a producing garden already. Its still too cold in MN. Great Recipe!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 9, 2017 at 11:53 pm

      Thanks, Rachel! One of the benefits of living in Phoenix is that we can have some goodies in the garden right about now! I hope you try this dish and enjoy!
      Reply
  18. Mona says

    March 12, 2017 at 3:23 am

    Oh that looks and sounds delicious! I love pesto I'm going to try this recipe it sounds easy too thanks for sharing :)Mona Xx
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 12, 2017 at 4:03 am

      Thanks, Mona! Oh, good - it really is easy to make :) Hope you love it!
      Reply

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I'm Patricia

Welcome to Grab a Plate!

Growing up surrounded by my Italian family it was always, "grab a plate" whenever anyone came to visit. Food was always a celebration, even everyday meals, and I like it that way. I try to make each meal memorable with my recipes for mainly meatless, mostly healthy, and easy-to-make dishes (with sweet treats in between).

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