Tortellini with pesto and cherry tomatoes
Tortellini with pesto and cherry tomatoes is a classic Italian pasta dish featuring ring-shaped stuffed pasta tossed in a vibrant basil pesto sauce and brightened with sweet, burst cherry tomatoes. The tortellini is traditionally filled with a mix of meats like prosciutto and Parmigiano-Reggiano, while the pesto sauce is made from fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. This dish originates from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, particularly around Bologna and Modena.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is moderately high in carbohydrates from the pasta, with a good amount of healthy fats from the olive oil and pine nuts in the pesto, and a moderate protein content from the cheese and meat filling. It provides key nutrients like calcium, vitamin K from the basil, and antioxidants from the tomatoes, with a typical serving containing around 500-700 calories.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 420 kcal |
| Protein | 15 g |
| Carbs | 38 g |
| Fat | 22 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 680 mg |
| Potassium | 350 mg |
| Calcium | 120 mg |
| Iron | 2.5 mg |
| Vitamin A | 450 IU |
| Vitamin C | 8 mg |
| Vitamin K | 35 µg |
| Folate | 60 µg |
| Phosphorus | 180 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, tortellini is said to have been inspired by the navel of Venus, the Roman goddess of love, according to local legend. Nutritionally, the combination of fresh basil in the pesto and lycopene-rich cherry tomatoes creates a dish with notable anti-inflammatory and heart-healthy properties.
