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What To Serve With Tortellini – 45 BEST Side Dishes

If you’re wondering what to serve with your tortellini, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, I list 45 of the most popular side dishes for tortellini.

In a rush? Here’s the short answer.

The best side dishes to serve tortellini are sauteed broccoli rabe, peas and pancetta, and arugula and radicchio salad. Other side options include parmesan garlic crostinis, marinated tomatoes, and bolognese sauce. You can also try using the tortellini in a soup, or mixing them into a Greek salad.

Ready? Let’s get started!

Sauteed broccoli rabe

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Sauteed broccoli rabe is an excellent veggie side to pair with your Italian main.

It has a subtle and unique bitter taste that will help cut through a rich sauce.

And that’s not all. There are garlicky notes, a hint of heat, and tons of nutritious benefits that come with this side too.

Why we love this recipe: it’s great when you want something elegant quickly.

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Arugula and radicchio salad

Looking for a light side?

Try this fresh arugula and radicchio salad.

Its savory and tangy flavors will cleanse your palate from the saucy tortellini and make sure things don’t get too heavy.

The dressing includes anchovies for a hit of umami flavor too.

Why we love this recipe: you can throw it together in under 15 minutes.

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Tortellini soup

This isn’t technically a side, but did you know that tortellini is fabulous mixed into a soup?

The pasta turns a simple soup from a light lunch into a filling dinner.

There are loads of variations too. You can go for a light tomatoey broth, a thick and creamy broth, or even something meaty.

Why we love this recipe: it’s great for feeding a crowd.

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Peas and pancetta

Peas and pancetta is a scrumptious combination you can enjoy mixed in with your tortellini.

It’s perfectly balanced with sweet and salty notes.

And the vibrant green color pops off the plate too.

All it takes is some chopped garlic, white wine, and shaved parmesan to make this simple veggie dish super flavorful.

Why we love this recipe: it turns budget ingredients into something super tasty.

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Garlic butter shrimp

Add more protein to your tortellini meal with these garlic butter shrimp.

They’re cooked in a simple garlic and lemon sauce which will enhance your tortellini without change the flavor profile too much.

And the best part? You only need ten minutes to get this dish on the table.

Why we love this recipe: it’s low in calories and delicious.

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Marinated tomatoes

Make your tortellini shine by topping it with these marinated tomatoes.

It’s a no-frills side that won’t overpower your elegant pasta dish – it just brings a burst of freshness and color.

Psst… for best results, let the tomatoes soak for 24 hours. 

Why we love this recipe: it’s perfect for summer.

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Chimichurri garlic bread

Here’s a fun spin on a classic – chimichurri garlic bread.

It’s a perfect fusion of garlicky goodness and the famous Argentinian dip.

Chimichurri is a combination of three different herbs (cilantro, parsley, and oregano), plus some chili and lots of garlic. You can imagine how flavorful it is.

Why we love this recipe: it looks as good as it tastes.

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Ratatouille

Got a load of veggies you need to use in your fridge. Chuck them all together and make a ratatouille.

This version isn’t intricately-arranged like you sometimes see in restaurants, but it’s equally as delicious. 

The trick to perfecting this simple dish is to saute your veggies separately to prevent them turning mushy. 

Why we love this recipe: even die-hard meat lovers can’t say no to this stew.

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Bolognese sauce

You can’t go wrong with this classic.

A spoonful of bolognese sauce over your tortellini with a generous sprinkling of cheese will make for an easy and comforting dinner.

Or you can dress the meal up with a glass of your favorite red wine for a weekend treat.

Why we love this recipe: it freezes really well so you can make a big batch and save some for later.

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Kale crisps

Add a crunchy contrast to your tender tortellini meal with kale crisps.

You only need four simple ingredients to make these crisps, and they’re way healthier than other types of crips.

Oh, and a word of advice – the bigger the leaves, the better the chips.

Why we love this recipe: it’s better for you than any type of store-bought chips.

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Marinated roasted onion

These slow-roasted onions have a pretty festive feel to them.

They’re caramelized in a bath of red wine vinegar, brown sugar, and butter resulting in a sweet flavor and a melt-in-your mouth texture.

Pop one in the middle of the plate, and then arrange the tortellini around it for an impressive looking plate of food.

Why we love this recipe: it’s sophisticated and elegant.

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Parmesan garlic crostini

Another way to add some crunch to your tortellini meal is with crostinis.

These are best with a saucy tortellini dish, so you can dunk them in the sauce before taking a bite.

I also like to place a piece of tortellini on top and eat it that way!

Why we love this recipe: they’re a great way to use up stale bread.

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Greek salad

Make your Greek salad more hearty by adding some tortellini to the mix.

This unique pasta salad is a colorful medley of cucumber, tomatoes, red onions, and feta cheese plus a tangy vinaigrette to bring all the flavors together.

It’s perfect for cooling you down during hot days.

Why we love this recipe: it’s a great last-minute summer salad.

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Mozzarella sticks

Looking for the perfect starter?

Mozzarella cheese sticks are for you.

They’re guaranteed crowd pleasers. After all, no one can resist their mouth-watering cheese pull.

Dip these bad boys in your favorite ranch or mariana dip for ultimate satisfaction.

Why we love this recipe: kids and adults will love them equally.

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Steamed asparagus

Steamed asparagus is another simple veggie side that’s quick to make and packed with flavor.

All it takes is some lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper to keep the asparagus bright.

The acidity from the lemon will help balance out a rich pasta dish too.

Psst… for more crunch, add toasted almonds. For a Mediterranean flair, add feta crumbles.

Why we love this recipe: steaming is one of the healthiest ways to cook asparagus.

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The best side dishes to serve with tortellini

  • Sauteed broccoli rabe
  • Arugula and radicchio salad
  • Tortellini soup
  • Peas and pancetta
  • Garlic butter shrimp
  • Marinated tomatoes
  • Chimichurri garlic bread
  • Ratatouille
  • Bolognese sauce
  • Kale crisps
  • Marinated roasted onion
  • Parmesan garlic crostini
  • Greek salad
  • Mozzarella sticks
  • Steamed asparagus

What To Serve With Tortellini

In this short recipe, I show you exactly what to serve with your tortellini.
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: tortellini side dishes, what to serve with tortellini soup
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 1 person
Calories: 307kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 portion tortellini

Instructions

  • Prepare your tortellini according to your favorite recipe.
  • In the meantime, choose one of the following sides to serve alongside it.
  • Side dishes include: sauteed broccoli rabe, arugula and radicchio salad, tortellini soup, peas and pancetta, garlic butter shrimp, marinated tomatoes, chimichurri garlic bread, ratatouille, bolognese sauce, kale crisps, marinated roasted onion, parmesan garlic crostini, greek salad, mozzarella sticks, and steamed asparagus.
  • Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 100g | Calories: 307kcal

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