Nut-Free Tortellini with Pesto

Elevate your pasta night with this irresistibly creamy Nut-Free Tortellini with Pesto! Featuring tender cheese tortellini coated in a vibrant, homemade pesto sauce, this recipe delivers all the flavor of a classic pesto without any nuts—making it perfect for those with dietary restrictions or allergies. Fresh basil and baby spinach form the base of this allergen-friendly pesto, blended with Parmesan cheese, garlic, and a splash of zesty lemon juice for a bright and aromatic finish. Ready in just 25 minutes, this quick, easy, and wholesome dish is ideal for weeknight dinners but elegant enough for special occasions. Serve it piping hot with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan, and watch as this nut-free wonder becomes your new go-to pasta favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 45/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz Cheese tortellini (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
• 1 cup Baby spinach leaves
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 2 units Garlic cloves (peeled)
• 0.5 cup Extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 0.5 tsp Salt
• 0.25 tsp Black pepper
• 0.25 cup Pasta cooking water

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.

Step 2

Add the cheese tortellini to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions, typically about 7-9 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 3

While the tortellini cooks, prepare the nut-free pesto. In a blender or food processor, combine the fresh basil leaves, baby spinach, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic cloves, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.

Step 4

Blend the pesto mixture until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides of the blender as needed. If the mixture is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of pasta cooking water until the desired consistency is achieved.

Step 5

Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the tortellini and return it to the pot or a large mixing bowl.

Step 6

Pour the nut-free pesto over the warm tortellini and gently toss to coat the pasta evenly. Add the reserved pasta cooking water a little at a time to loosen the sauce if needed.

Step 7

Serve immediately with an extra sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy your nut-free tortellini with pesto!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	848.8 grams (848.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3120

Total Fat 216.50g	278%
Saturated Fat 79.30g	397%
Polyunsaturated Fat NaNg
Cholesterol 361mg	120%
Sodium 6179mg	269%
Total Carbohydrate 155.90g	57%
Dietary Fiber 9.00g	32%
Total Sugars 7.70g
Protein 144.00g	288%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 3215mg	247%
Iron 9mg	49%
Potassium 1052mg	22%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 61.9%

Protein: 18.3%

Carbs: 19.8%