I Make This 20-Minute Meal On Repeat All Summer Long

And it’s just 5 ingredients.

By
Stephanie A Ganz
Stephanie A Ganz
Stephanie A Ganz
Stephanie Ganz has been writing professionally for 10 years and is a regular contributor to Richmond Magazine and Virginia Living. She has also written for Bon Appetit, Eater, The Kitchn, and The Local Palate.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Published May 29, 2025
Stephanie A Ganz
A skillet with tortellini, zucchini, tomatoes, basil, and cheese

Simply Recipes / Photo by Julia Gartland / Food Styling by Samantha Seneviratne

Summer is easily my favorite season because it has all of my favorite stuff: lots of sunshine, baseball, pool days, and the absolute best produce. In the thick of summer, my garden teems with tomatoes and zucchini and my market basket overflows with sweet corn.

All of that bounty inspired me to create this easy, one-pan summer supper. It combines fresh cheese tortellini with the aforementioned vegetables, making a quick, lightly saucy situation. Cooking the pasta and vegetables in one pan brings all the flavors together into one harmonious meal that I like to serve with a green salad or cucumber salad—the perfect light dinner on a hot summer day.

A skillet containing tortellini with vegetables and herbs, served with a spoon

Simply Recipes / Photo by Julia Gartland / Food Styling by Samantha Seneviratne

How To Make My Summer Tortellini Skillet

This is a versatile, quick recipe that uses one skillet and just five ingredients (not counting oil, water, salt, and pepper).

Start by sautéeing zucchini in olive oil until it develops a nice, golden brown color. Add garlic and tomatoes and simmer to marry the flavors together before adding fresh tortellini and corn kernels and cooking until the pasta is cooked through. To serve, garnish with fresh herbs, grated Parmesan cheese, and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper.

Tips for Making This Summer Tortellini Skillet

  • This recipe is flexible in terms of produce, so go ahead and use up whatever’s hanging around in your fridge. You can swap in yellow summer squash, bell peppers, onions, and any other quick-cooking veggies you have on hand.
  • For another level of flavor, substitute your favorite vegetable stock for the water.
  • Fresh herbs double down on the summery flavors here. Garnish with fresh basil, parsley, or chives for a boost of brightness.
Skillet with tortellini, spinach, zucchini, and tomatoes

Simply Recipes / Photo by Julia Gartland / Food Styling by Samantha Seneviratne

More Skillet Suppers

5-Ingredient Summer Tortellini Skillet

Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Servings 4 servings
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 2 medium zucchini, trimmed and sliced into half-moons

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

  • 1 cup water

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 18 to 20 ounces fresh refrigerated cheese tortellini

  • 1 cup corn kernels

  • Chopped fresh basil, parsley, or chives, optional

  • Grated Parmesan cheese, optional

  • Crushed red pepper flakes, optional

Method

  1. Sauté the zucchini:

    In an 11 or 12-inch skillet with tall sides, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add the zucchini, spread it into an even layer, and cook long enough to develop a little golden brown color, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

  2. Make the sauce:

    Add the tomatoes, water, salt, and pepper, and bring to a simmer.

  3. Cook the tortellini and corn:

    Add the tortellini and corn kernels, toss, and cover the skillet with a lid. Cook until the tortellini is cooked through, tossing once, 4 to 6 minutes. Garnish with fresh herbs, if using, and serve with grated Parmesan and crushed red pepper flakes for passing at the table, if desired.

    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
562 Calories
18g Fat
81g Carbs
22g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 562
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 18g 23%
Saturated Fat 6g 31%
Cholesterol 60mg 20%
Sodium 850mg 37%
Total Carbohydrate 81g 29%
Dietary Fiber 6g 20%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 22g
Vitamin C 26mg 128%
Calcium 247mg 19%
Iron 3mg 16%
Potassium 656mg 14%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.