Menu for the Week and Pesto Tortellini Soup

My favorite GI Joe doesn’t normally have a lot of input for my blog, so when he suggested (repeatedly) that I should post our weekly menu, I finally decided he might be on to something. My plan is to post it on Friday for the following week, in case you’re like me and plan your week and make your grocery list on Sunday evening. We usually eat out after Mass on Saturdays, and on Sundays it’s every man for himself on the leftovers shelf.

By the way, these are all thirty minute or less meals this week.  I generally try to stick with that time limit for weeknight meals, unless I’m using the crockpot to cook something all day long…love that!

Here goes…

  • Monday: Franks and Beans Stoup (I used veggie hot dogs) with Quesadillas and Raw Veggies
  • Tuesday: Greek Burgers with Feta Aioli, Chopped Veggie Salad, and Potatoes O’Brien
  • Wednesday:  Rotisserie Chicken and Mashed Potatoes (from Costco)with Homemade Gravy and My Favorite Salad (Romaine, Pears, Gorgonzola, Pistachios, Red Onion with Dorothy Lynch Fatfree dressing)
  • Thursday:  Chicken and Butternut Squash Tagine with Pistachio Couscous and Fresh Fruit Salad
  • Friday: Pesto Tortellini Soup, Salad, and Garlic Butter Baguettes

I’ve added links for you on the nights I used recipes, and here’s the soup one.

So it’s the third Friday of Lent and I’ve finally remembered to post a non-meat, non-sweet recipe.  Woo-hoo! Not that everyone gives up sweets or eating meat on Fridays for Lent, but I know a lot of you do.

This hearty soup has been a favorite of ours for a long time, and it comes together quickly, which is always a bonus.  Apart from the zucchini, which I have to remember to buy, everything else is usually in my pantry or freezer.  If you’re using frozen tortellini, don’t thaw it first…it will stick together into a big globby mess.

I’ve made a non-vegetarian version using sausage tortellini, and it’s equally delicious, just to keep your options open. Hope you and yours love it, too!

0312-Pesto-Tortellini-Soup

Pesto Tortellini Soup

  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 medium zucchini, diced
  • 3 cups frozen mixed vegetables
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 can (14 oz) diced fire-roasted tomatoes
  • 9 oz fresh cheese tortellini
  • 2 Tbsp pesto
  • Parmesan cheese to garnish

1. In large saucepan, saute onion in olive oil until softened, then add broth, zucchini, vegetables, Italian seasoning, and tomatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer ten minutes.

2. Add tortellini and cook 3-5 minutes, until tortellini is cooked (it will float when done). Stir in pesto and ladle into bowls. Top with a tablespoon or two of shredded Parmesan.

Serves 6

Click here for the printable recipe

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About Megan

My various hats: mom to three crazy teens and one quirky dog, wife of 27 years to my retired GI Joe, and high school math teacher. After my husband's retirement from the Army, we've settled in the Pacific Northwest. Crafting, cooking, photography, and reading keep me sane (that's a relative term!) and I hope you'll enjoy following along as I navigate the chaos of life!
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5 Responses to Menu for the Week and Pesto Tortellini Soup

  1. Elizabeth says:

    I made quite a few of your recipes, over the past few weeks. Bob was quite impressed with the food. I was all out of ideas. Thanks for the new ideas!!!!

  2. Holly Walters says:

    I am still raving about your chicken tortilla soup!! I am addicted. Thanks for your weekly menu – I am particularly interested in the Morroccan Tajine. I wonder if you would please share your pistachio couscous recipe?

    • Megan says:

      Thanks so much, Holly! For the Pistachio Couscous, I brought 1 cup chicken broth to a boil and added 1 cup Trader Joe’s Whole Wheat Couscous. Turn off the heat, let stand 5 minutes, then stir in a couple of squirts of lemon juice and 1/4 cup chopped roasted pistachios. Basically, just follow the directions on the couscous package, using broth instead of water, then add the nuts and lemon juice when it’s done. Hope you love it!

    • Sarah says:

      Hol, I love that you love following her! She is pretty amazing…you should meet Martha, I mean Megan, in real life 🙂

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