Looking for ways to shake things up in the kitchen? Sometimes, simply adding some extra colour to proceedings is enough to reinvigorate your appetite for culinary creativity, and that’s where Olivieri® comes in. We’ve got a variety of vibrant recipes featuring rainbow tortellini that are sure to get your creative juices flowing. So, without further ado, let’s get into this.
What Is Rainbow Tortellini?
Rainbow tortellini isn’t a special type of tortellini by itself—it usually refers to tortellini pasta made with natural vegetable-based colors (like spinach for green, beetroot for red, carrot for orange, squid ink for black, etc.) or simply multicolored pasta dough. Although the filling can feature anything from meat to spinach to mushrooms, for many, the most popular choice is cheese, as demonstrated by Olivieri® 3 Formaggi Rainbow Tortellini and Olivieri® 7 Cheese Rainbow Tortellini.
Historical Background of Tortellini
Stuffed pasta recipes appear in Italian cookbooks as early as the 13th and 14th centuries, when wealthy courts enjoyed filled pasta dishes during feasts. Both Bologna and Modena claim to be the birthplace of tortellini, although it’s difficult to pinpoint its origins to any one region of Italy. One thing’s for sure, you’ll find tortellini on the menu all across Italy.
The Legend
The most famous origin story is tied to mythology. According to legend, an innkeeper in Castelfranco Emilia (between Bologna and Modena) peeked through a keyhole at a guest, said to be Venus, the goddess of love. Struck by her beauty, he was inspired to create pasta shaped like her belly button. This explains why tortellini are often called “ombelico di Venere” (Venus’s navel).
Harnessing the Power of Pesto
If you’re looking for a meal that combines the comforting cheesiness of rainbow tortellini with a rich and herbaceous sauce, how about trying your hand at our Rainbow Tortellini with Basil and Cheese Pesto? Made with only 5 ingredients, this quick and easy pasta meal is a surefire crowd-pleaser. Best of all, it’s ready in just 10 minutes.
Scintillating Salad Recipes
Pasta salads are a great option for families looking to add nutritious veggies to meals. One way to make salads more enticing is to add some colour to the mix, that’s why we’ve got, not one, but two delicious rainbow tortellini recipes for you to sink your teeth into.
First up is this Greek Salad with Tortellini. Made with olive oil, oregano, cucumber, black olives, red peppers, and feta cheese, this mouthwatering pasta salad is bursting with Mediterranean flavour. What’s more, it works great as a side or main dish.
Equally vibrant and delicious is our Confetti Pasta Salad. Made with pesto, wine vinegar, mayonnaise, and a host of fragrant herbs and spices, it’s simply exploding with flavour.
Alternatively, if you’re looking to keep things simple, here’s a quick and easy tortellini salad recipe you can rustle up in 15 minutes. This Rainbow Tortellini Salad combines traditional salad ingredients like tomato, cucumber, and carrot with cheesy tortellini shells and our unique Olivieri® Basil & Cheese Pesto. In short, the results are spectacular!
Alternative Ways to Add Colour
Looking to pack more veggies into your family meals in a new and novel way? Try this Skillet Gnocchi Vegan Buddha Bowl. Traditionally made with rice as the base, Buddha bowls have surged in popularity in recent times due to their adaptability. This recipe boasts sweet potato, chickpeas, spinach, and cherry tomatoes, served on a bed of Olivieri® Fresh Classic Potato Skillet Gnocchi.
How to Store Leftover Tortellini
Let’s face it: we’ve all been there. When cooking for a family, it’s always best to cook a little more in case there’s an appetite for seconds. However, this can sometimes result in leftovers. Don’t fret. Our storage tips will help you ensure no food goes to waste:
- Cool Quickly: Let the tortellini cool to room temperature (no more than 2 hours out at room temp). Avoid sealing hot pasta in a container—it traps steam and makes it mushy.
- Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container with a little olive oil or sauce to prevent sticking.
- Keeps well in the fridge for 3–5 days.
Freeze for Longer Storage
- Place cooled tortellini in a single layer on a baking sheet to “flash freeze.”
- Once firm, transfer to a freezer bag or container.
- Frozen cooked tortellini lasts 1–2 months.
- Reheat straight from frozen (boil, microwave, or bake with sauce).
For more expert cooking tips and creative recipes, make sure to stop by our kitchen.