Baked Tortellini with Kale Pesto

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Total: 40 min
  • Active: 40 min
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Ingredients

Kosher salt

1 12- to 14-ounce package spinach and cheese tortellini

7 cups baby kale (about 8 ounces)

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 clove garlic

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

Freshly ground pepper

1 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup sliced sun-dried tomatoes (not oil-packed)

3/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (about 3 ounces)

1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs

2 tablespoons pine nuts, roughly chopped

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the tortellini and cook as the label directs. Reserve ¼ cup cooking water, then drain. Reserve the pot.
  2. Meanwhile, puree 4 cups kale, the olive oil and garlic in a blender or food processor until almost smooth. Add ¼ cup parmesan and season with salt and pepper. Pulse until smooth, adding up to 1/4 cup tap water if needed.
  3. Transfer the pesto to the reserved pot along with the heavy cream; stir to combine. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to medium low; stir in the tortellini, sun-dried tomatoes and the remaining 3 cups kale, adding the reserved cooking water as needed to loosen. Transfer to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and sprinkle with the mozzarella.
  4. Combine the panko, pine nuts, parsley and the remaining 2 tablespoons parmesan in a small bowl; season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle over the tortellini and bake until golden brown, about 12 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.

Let's Get Cooking!

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Jaclyn C.

I’m not experienced at cooking but like to cook from time to time. This dish was somewhat complicated with all the different steps you had to follow. Once finished it came out good. A little bland and I didn’t care for the sun-dried tomatoes (they didn’t really fit in the dish). I was great to try a new recipe.

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