• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Asian Caucasian Food Blog
  • Home
  • All Recipes
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • RECIPES
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • SUBSCRIBE
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • RECIPES
    • ABOUT
    • CONTACT
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Noodles

    Tri-Color Tortellini with Thai Pesto Sauce

    January 29, 2022 · Published: March 18, 2019 By: Asian Caucasian 12 Comments

    Tri-color tortellini in two white bowls tossed in a Thai pesto sauce with a fork on the side of the bowl and a glass and bottle of Reisling wine in the background.
    Tri-color tortellini in a bowl with Thai pesto sauce

    I'm all in for easy dinners, especially this Tri-Color Tortellini with Thai Pesto Sauce. This Asian mashup uses ready-made, fresh tortellini pasta with my fragrant Thai pesto sauce recipe with tons of fresh herbs. Perfect for those super busy weeknights!

    Tri-color tortellini in two white bowls  tossed in a Thai pesto sauce with a fork on the side place on top of a gray wooden board.

    Instead of pulling out rice noodles for the "umpteenth" time, I decided to go more mainstream with some tri-color tortellini. Kind of an Asian-Italian mashup, right?

    Tri-color tortellini in two white bowls tossed in a Thai pesto sauce with a fork on the side of the bowl and a glass and bottle of Reisling wine in the background.

    I grabbed a bag of frozen cheese tortellini at my local grocery store and quickly boiled them so they were soft and pillowy. I had defrosted my pre-made Thai pesto from before so that was already done (this easy pesto is loaded with fresh herbs, walnuts, and other flavorings -- see recipe below). I tossed it all together and topped it with some shredded parmesan cheese and, "voila," a delicious dinner in no time!  I paired this meal with a beautiful glass of Pacific Rim dry riesling wine from Washington state. Just perfect!

    [This post is sponsored by Pacific Rim Winery.] Pacific Rim's Dry Riesling wine portrays complex character balanced by bright citrus flavors and aromas of pear and jasmine, ideal with this Asian-inspired dish!

    Fresh green herbs on a white wooden board.

    How to make Thai Pesto Sauce:

    This fragrant and delicious Asian pesto sauce is so wonderful on just about anything!  The basil, mint, and cilantro combined with the garlic, walnuts, and green curry paste give it just the right amount of flavoring.

    1. Grab some gorgeous, fresh Thai basil (use regular basil if you can't find Thai basil), mint leaves, and cilantro. Add the herbs to a food processor. Drizzle in your fish sauce.
    Fresh green herbs in a small food processor with a fish sauce pour.

    2. Then add in the garlic, walnuts, green curry paste, and wine. You can find green curry paste at the Asian market, or order it here on Amazon.

    Fresh green herbs and nuts in a food processor ready to make a Thai pesto sauce with a squeeze of lime.

    3. Squeeze in the lime juice. Finally, drizzle in the olive oil and pulse until it forms a paste. Taste for seasoning.

    Thai basil pesto sauce in food processor with a rubber red spatula inserted.

    How to quickly make tortellini pasta:

    1. Fill a large pot with water. Add about a teaspoon of salt to the water. Bring the water to a rolling boil.
    2. Add the frozen pasta to the boiling water, stirring it gently with a wooden spoon as you add it to the water.
    3. The tortellini should take about 5 to 7 minutes to cook so watch it carefully so as not to overcook!
    4. The tortellini will be done when it's soft and pillowy, but not mushy.
    5. Remove the pasta with a strainer and reserve about a cup of the pasta water.
    Rri-color tortellini in spider strainer being lifted out of a pot of water.

    Gorgeous tri-colored tortellini cooks up quickly so watch carefully while it's cooking!

    Tri-color tortellini in a white bowl with Thai pesto sauce and parmesan cheese on the side in smaller white bowls.

    These three ingredients are all you need for a delicious and quick Asian-inspired dinner: tortellini, Thai pesto, and parmesan cheese!

    Tri-color tortellini in two white bowls tossed in a Thai pesto sauce with a fork on the side of the bowl and a glass and bottle of Reisling wine in the background.

    Grab a bottle of Pacific Rim dry riesling wine for the perfect pairing with this meal!

    TIPS & TRICKS:

    • You can pre-make the Thai pesto and refrigerate for up to four days, or freeze the pesto and defrost when ready to use.
    • The tortellini should take about 5 to 7 minutes to cook so watch it carefully so as not to overcook!
    • The tortellini will be done when it's soft and pillowy, but not mushy.

    WANT MORE? If you like this recipe, you’re going to love my Thai Pesto Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp Meatballs. It's so healthy and beyond delicious!

    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    Tri-color tortellini in a white bowl tossed with Thai pesto sauce

    Tri-Color Tortellini with Thai Pesto Sauce

    ★★★★★

    5 from 6 reviews

    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    I'm all in for easy dinners, especially this Tri-Color Tortellini with Thai Pesto Sauce. This Asian mashup uses ready-made, fresh tortellini pasta with my fragrant Thai pesto sauce recipe with tons of fresh herbs. Perfect for those super busy weeknights! 

    • Total Time: 17 min
    • Yield: 4 1x

    Ingredients

    Units Scale

    For the Thai Pesto Sauce:

    • 1 cup fresh Thai basil (or regular basil)
    • 1 cup fresh cilantro
    • 1 cup fresh mint
    • 2 cloves garlic
    • ¼ cup walnuts
    • 1 teaspoon fish sauce
    • 2 tablespoons green curry paste
    • Juice from 1 lime
    • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

    For the Pasta:

    • 1 pound frozen or fresh tri-color cheese tortellini
    • Teaspoon of salt
    • ½ cup fresh shredded parmesan cheese

    Instructions

    1. To make the Thai pesto sauce: Place all ingredients, except olive oil, in a food processor and pulse until smooth. Drizzle in the olive oil to form a paste. Taste for seasoning. Store pesto in the fridge or freeze until ready to use.
    2. To make the tortellini: Fill a large sauce pot with water, add about a teaspoon of salt and bring to a rolling boil. Add in the tortellini and cook about 5 minutes, or until soft to the taste but not mushy. Strain in a colander reserving about ¼ cup of the pasta water.
    3. To assemble: In a large serving bowl, toss the tortellini, pasta water, and Thai pesto sauce together until fully incorporated. Top with the shredded parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil if desired. Serve while hot.

    Notes

    • You can pre-make the Thai pesto and refrigerate for up to four days, or freeze the pesto and defrost when ready to use.
    • The tortellini should take about 5 to 7 minutes to cook so watch it carefully so as not to overcook!
    • The tortellini will be done when it's soft and pillowy, but not mushy.
    • Author: Asian Caucasian
    • Prep Time: 10 min
    • Cook Time: 7 min
    • Category: Dinner
    • Method: Stove-top
    • Cuisine: Asian Fusion

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size:
    • Calories: 574
    • Sugar: 2 g
    • Sodium: 1507.4 mg
    • Fat: 29.9 g
    • Carbohydrates: 57.2 g
    • Protein: 21.2 g
    • Cholesterol: 54.8 mg

    Keywords: tortellini with pesto, Thai basil pesto recipe, pesto sauce

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @AsianCaucasianBlog on Instagram and hashtag  #AsianCaucasianEats

    « Crispy Spicy Air Fryer Chickpeas
    Easy Singapore Laksa with Shrimp and Tofu »

    You may also like:

    Matcha chocolate dipped pretzel rods on top of a round black plate with plain pretzel rods on the side, and a small bowl of matcha powder and a glass with a dipped pretzel rod, and a linen napkin on the side.

    Chocolate Matcha Dipped Pretzels

    A large black bowl filled with Chinese chicken salad featuring shredded chicken, shredded carrots, broccoli slaw, scallions, water chestnuts and chow mein noodles, with a pair of brown chopsticks on top and a linen napkin on the side.

    Easy Chinese Chicken Salad

    Two bowls filled with Chinese curry chicken and potatoes with whole red chili peppers on top all placed on a white wooden board with a white spoon on the side.

    25 Easy Chinese New Year Recipes

    Two white bowls with Spicy Thai Salad with Chicken with a fork on top placed on top of a marble surface.

    20 Healthy Asian Salad Recipes

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Brian Jones

      March 21, 2019 at 2:09 am

      What a fun cross over recipe and I am sure that the pest would work so well in so many dishes!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Asian Caucasian

        March 21, 2019 at 2:56 pm

        Yes! I use this pesto on fish, chicken, shrimp, noodles, so many options! And super easy to make!

        Reply
    2. Amanda

      March 20, 2019 at 9:31 pm

      Sounds delish! I'd just omit the fish sauce to make it vegetarian friendly! 🙂

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Asian Caucasian

        March 21, 2019 at 2:55 pm

        You definitely can omit the fish sauce! Will still be delicious!

        Reply
    3. Laura

      March 20, 2019 at 12:50 pm

      That combo of tortellini and Thai pesto sauce is one of a kind! It must be so special that I would probably want to make these tortellini over and over again - every day!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Asian Caucasian

        March 21, 2019 at 2:54 pm

        I hope you'll try this super easy dish! We really enjoyed it and will definitely be making this again and again!

        Reply
    4. Ramona

      March 20, 2019 at 10:45 am

      Wow, that Thai pesto sauce sounds incredible. Refreshing and I will definitely have to give this recipe a go ASAP. Just love the sound of it not to mention these lovely pics.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Asian Caucasian

        March 21, 2019 at 2:53 pm

        Thank you so much, Ramona! It's super easy to make the Thai pesto. Just throw everything into a food processor or blender and it's done in no time!

        Reply
    5. Patty

      March 19, 2019 at 5:59 am

      I love tricolor pasta, it makes for such pretty dishes and the pesto sound so flavorful, love the addition of lime in it, gives it a nice kick, can't wait to try this recipe!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Asian Caucasian

        March 19, 2019 at 7:54 am

        Yesss! All of these lovely herbs and the lime are so tasty in this pesto! Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

        Reply
    6. Stephanie M

      March 18, 2019 at 11:42 am

      Can’t wait to try this! Sounds incredibly delicious but also so easy. Perfect for a busy week day dinner!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Asian Caucasian

        March 21, 2019 at 2:50 pm

        So easy! I bought frozen tortellini or you can buy it fresh. Cooks up so quickly and the pesto is a cinch to make in the food processor!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Lesli Schwartz.

    Hi, I'm Lesli! Welcome to Asian Caucasian, a healthy-ish food blog born out of a passion for home-cooked, Asian-inspired cuisine. I always cook with market-fresh ingredients and prepare simplistic, healthy Asian recipes so you can throw away those take-out menus! Come share my culinary love of beautiful Asian-fusion food, and get cooking in the kitchen! READ MORE!

    Let's Connect

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Reader Favorites!

    Chocolate Matcha Dipped Pretzels

    Matcha chocolate dipped pretzel rods on top of a round black plate with plain pretzel rods on the side, and a small bowl of matcha powder and a glass with a dipped pretzel rod, and a linen napkin on the side.

    Easy Chinese Chicken Salad

    A large black bowl filled with Chinese chicken salad featuring shredded chicken, shredded carrots, broccoli slaw, scallions, water chestnuts and chow mein noodles, with a pair of brown chopsticks on top and a linen napkin on the side.

    25 Easy Chinese New Year Recipes

    Two bowls filled with Chinese curry chicken and potatoes with whole red chili peppers on top all placed on a white wooden board with a white spoon on the side.

    20 Healthy Asian Salad Recipes

    Two white bowls with Spicy Thai Salad with Chicken with a fork on top placed on top of a marble surface.

    Furikake Chex Mix Recipe

    A bowl of Furikake chex mix with a linen napkin on the side and a baking tray in the background.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact Us
    • Work with Us
    • Featured In

    © 2016-2022 Asian Caucasian

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    All images & content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without prior permission.
    If you want to share this recipe, please provide a link back to this post for the original recipe.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
    Cookie SettingsAccept All
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT