If you aren’t sure what sauce goes with pesto tortellini, you’ve come to the right place.
I’ve got 13 sauces that will perfectly complement your next dish.
And trust me, your friends and family will be impressed.
So go ahead and give one (or all) of these a try!

What Sauce Goes with Pesto Tortellini? 13 Best Sauces
A sauce is a key component to any dish, but it is especially important when it comes to pesto tortellini.
The sauce you choose can make or break the dish.
A good sauce will enhance the flavor of the tortellini and help to bring out the natural sweetness of the pesto.
On the other hand, a bad sauce can easily overwhelm the delicate flavor of the tortellini and leave you with a bland and unappetizing dish.
Fortunately, there are a number of great sauces that pair well with pesto tortellini.
Here are 13 of the best sauces for pesto tortellini:
1. Alfredo Sauce
Alfredo sauce is known for being thick and creamy, with a cheesy flavor.
It’s the perfect sauce for tortellini, and it’s also pretty versatile.
You can add different herbs or spices to give it more flavor, or swap out the cheese for a different variety.
If you want a thinner sauce, you can add some milk or broth.
Pro Tip: If you’re using this sauce on pasta, save some of the pasta water to thin out the sauce if needed.
The starchy water will help thicken up the sauce as well.
2. Quick Parmesan Cream Sauce
If you want something quick, easy, and delicious, this is the sauce for you.
It goes well with any tortellini dish, and you can customize it to your liking with the additions listed below.
- add garlic
- swap out chicken broth for vegetable broth
- add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little bit of heat
- stir in some chopped fresh parsley or basil for a pop of color
Pro Tip: This sauce also works well as a dip for breadsticks or as a base for a creamier soup.
3. Basil Pesto Sauce
If you have a blender or food processor, this sauce comes together in seconds.
Just add some garlic, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and fresh basil leaves.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
For a little bit of extra flavor, you can also add a squeeze of lemon juice or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
This sauce is delicious on its own, but there are so many ways to customize it to your liking. Here are a few ideas:
- Add roasted red peppers for a bit of sweetness and color
- Swap out the Parmesan cheese for another type of cheese like pecorino or goat cheese
- Use walnuts or almonds instead of pine nuts
- Stir in some sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor
Pro Tip: If you’re using this sauce on pasta, reserve a little bit of the pasta water before draining.
This starchy water will help thin out the sauce if it gets too thick.
4. Marinara Sauce
Marinara sauce tastes like fresh tomatoes, herbs, and garlic.
It’s delicious with any type of tortellini, but I especially love it with cheese tortellini.
You can make this sauce as simple or complex as you want, depending on how much time you have.
For a quick and easy version, just use jarred tomato sauce and add some chopped fresh basil leaves.
For a more complex flavor, sautee diced onions and garlic in olive oil before adding the tomato sauce.
Pro Tip: This sauce freezes well, so make a big batch and save some for later!
5. Italian Arrabbiata Sauce (sugo all’arrabbiata)
How about something slightly spicy, fragrant and, above all, quick?
This is arrabbiata sauce: a typical Italian condiment for pasta made with just a few ingredients.
It’s usually eaten with penne, but it goes great with tortellini too.
The base of the sauce is tomatoes, garlic and chili peppers cooked in olive oil.
- If you want a creamier sauce, add some heavy cream or half-and-half.
- For more of a zing, add a splash of red wine vinegar or lemon juice.
- If you’re looking for extra veggies, toss in some finely chopped carrots or celery.
Pro Tip: Don’t overcook your pasta! Arrabbiata sauce is best when it’s slightly chunky, so be sure to remove your pasta from the heat before it’s fully cooked through.
6. Creamy Mushroom Sauce
This is a popular sauce in many households for a reason – it’s delicious, and goes well with just about any tortellini dish.
You can make it as is, or customize it to your liking with some of the following additions:
- A splash of white wine
- A handful of shredded cheese
- A teaspoon of Dijon mustard
- Chopped fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, basil)
Pro Tip: If you’re looking for a little bit more of a kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
7. Dijon Mustard Sauce
If you have some leftover Dijon mustard, don’t just let it sit in the fridge!
This simple sauce is perfect for dressing up any tortellini dish.
Just whisk together Dijon mustard, chicken broth, and cream, and you’re good to go.
For a little extra flavor, you can add in some garlic or shallots.
And if you want to make it a bit healthier, swap out the cream for milk.
Pro Tip: If your sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little bit of water.
8. Lemon Butter Sauce
Lemony, buttery, and simply just delicious, this sauce is perfect for any type of tortellini.
You can use it as is, or customize it to your liking with some easy additions.
- Add garlic for an extra zing
- Swap out the butter for olive oil or vegan butter to make it healthier
- Stir in some chopped fresh herbs like parsley or basil
- Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for a little bit of heat
Pro Tip: This sauce also goes great with fish or chicken!
9. Chimichurri Sauce
Why not add something new to your tortellini dish tonight with this chimichurri sauce?
This herby, garlicky, and slightly spicy sauce is super easy to make and can be used on all sorts of dishes – not just tortellini!
Plus, it’s a great way to spice up a boring old jar of pasta sauce.
Here are some easy customizations you can make to the sauce:
- Add more or less garlic, depending on your preference
- Swap out the cilantro for parsley
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for some extra heat
- Use white wine vinegar instead of red wine vinegar
- Throw in some diced tomatoes for a little sweetness and texture
Pro Tip: This sauce also goes great on grilled meats and vegetables!
10. Gorgonzola Sauce
Some people are afraid of gorgonzola – they think it’s going to be too strong, or they don’t know how to use it.
But I’m here to tell you that gorgonzola sauce is one of the most versatile and delicious sauces out there.
It goes well with any tortellini dish, and there are so many easy ways to customize it.
- You can add in some cream to make it richer, or some chopped nuts for a little crunch.
- You could even swap out the gorgonzola for another type of cheese – like goat cheese or Parmesan.
Pro Tip: If you’re looking for an easy way to add some extra flavor to your sauce, try roasting your vegetables before adding them in.
It’ll bring out their natural sweetness and make your sauce even more delicious.
11. Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Sauce
Instead of basil pesto – I suggest trying a sun-dried tomato pesto sauce!
It’s super flavorful, and goes great with any type of tortellini.
You can find the recipe here.
Customizations:
- Add in some extra veggies, like spinach or kale
- Swap out the Parmesan cheese for vegan cheese
- Make it spicier with some crushed red pepper flakes
Pro Tip: If you want a really smooth sauce, blend all of the ingredients in a food processor or blender until completely combined.
12. Horseradish Sauce
Zingy, creamy and slightly sweet, this horseradish sauce is the perfect finishing touch to any tortellini dish.
It’s also incredibly easy to customize.
- For a sweeter sauce, add more honey.
- For a spicier sauce, add more horseradish.
- And for a thinner sauce, simply add more milk until you reach the desired consistency.
Pro Tip: If you want a truly unique flavor, try adding a splash of balsamic vinegar to the sauce.
13. Olive Tapenade
Known for being great with breadsticks and bruschetta, this olive paste can also take your tortellini game up a notch.
It’s easy to make and can be customized to your liking with different types of olives, herbs, and spices.
The best part about this sauce is that it can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to a week.
Pro Tip: If you want a smoother sauce, pulse the ingredients in a food processor until desired consistency is reached.

What Sauce Goes with Pesto Tortellini? (13 Best Sauces)
Ingredients
- Alfredo Sauce
- Quick Parmesan Cream Sauce
- Basil Pesto Sauce
- Marinara Sauce
- Italian Arrabbiata Sauce (sugo all'arrabbiata)
- Creamy Mushroom Sauce
- Dijon Mustard Sauce
- Lemon Butter Sauce
- Chimichurri Sauce
- Gorgonzola Sauce
- Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Sauce
- Horseradish Sauce
- Olive Tapenade
Instructions
- Choose any sauce from this list to serve with your Pesto Tortellini recipe.
- Prepare the ingredients according to the recipe.
- Enjoy in no time!