Lively Spring Pesto Tortellini Recipe That Brightens Any Table

Vibrant spring pesto tortellini bursts with the freshest seasonal flavors, crafting simple ingredients into a culinary celebration of warmer days.

Green herbs and delicate pasta dance together, creating a light yet satisfying meal that whispers of sunshine and renewal.

Each twirl captures the essence of springtime’s bounty, blending creamy textures with bright, aromatic notes.

Tender tortellini pillows become the perfect canvas for a zesty, herbaceous sauce that dances across your palate.

Home cooks can easily elevate this classic dish with minimal effort and maximum impact.

Unexpected combinations of fresh ingredients elevate this recipe from ordinary to extraordinary, turning a simple meal into a memorable experience.

A Pasta Bowl That Feels Like Spring

• Springtime Freshness Burst: Packed with vibrant seasonal vegetables like asparagus and peas, this dish celebrates spring's crisp, green flavors in every delightful bite.
• Quick and Effortless Cooking: Requiring just one skillet and minimal prep time, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
• Flavor-Packed One-Pan Wonder: The clever technique of using the same skillet builds deep, layered flavors as each ingredient infuses its essence, creating a harmonious and rich taste profile without extra cleanup.
• Protein-Veggie Balanced Meal: Combining tender chicken, hearty tortellini, and nutritious vegetables, this dish offers a complete and satisfying meal that feels both indulgent and wholesome.

Everything You’ll Need for Fresh Pesto Tortellini

• Tortellini: Fresh or dried pasta with cheese or meat filling, perfect for quick and flavorful meals.
• Peas: Sweet green vegetables that add bright color and nutrition to the dish.
• Asparagus: Tender spring vegetable with delicate flavor and crisp texture.

• Chicken: Lean protein that absorbs flavors well, best when seasoned and browned.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, salty cheese that provides a rich finishing touch to the dish.

• Olive Oil: High-quality extra virgin oil for sautéing and adding smooth, rich taste.
• Mushrooms: Earthy fungi that provide depth and umami character to the recipe.
• Pesto: Herb-based sauce with basil, garlic, and olive oil that brings vibrant Mediterranean flavor.

Cooking Tortellini Without Overcooking the Greens

Step 1: Prepare Boiling Liquid

Fill a large stockpot two-thirds with water and bring to a rolling boil. This creates the perfect cooking environment for your vegetables and pasta.

Step 2: Blanch Spring Vegetables

• Asparagus
• Peas

Cook for 2 minutes to preserve their vibrant color and crisp texture. Remove and set aside.

Step 3: Cook Tortellini

Drop tortellini into the same boiling water and follow package instructions for perfect al dente pasta. Once cooked, drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.

Step 4: Sauté Mushrooms

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms and cook until they develop a rich, golden-brown color, approximately 5 minutes. Transfer to a separate plate.

Step 5: Cook Chicken

In the same skillet, add additional olive oil. Cook seasoned chicken until it’s fully cooked and has a beautiful golden exterior.

Step 6: Combine Ingredients

• Blanched asparagus
• Peas
• Cooked tortellini
• Sautéed mushrooms
• Pesto sauce

Gently toss to ensure every ingredient is evenly coated with the vibrant pesto.

Step 7: Finish and Serve

Remove from heat and sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the top. Serve immediately while warm for the most delightful dining experience.

Tips for Bright Green Sauce and Soft Pasta

• Quickly Blanch Vegetables: Briefly cook asparagus and peas to maintain their vibrant color and crisp texture, preventing overcooking and preserving nutritional value.
• Choose Fresh Ingredients: Select high-quality, seasonal pesto and fresh tortellini for maximum flavor and authentic taste in your dish.
• Perfect Chicken Browning: Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure a golden, crispy exterior that locks in moisture and enhances overall flavor profile.
• Balance Skillet Cooking: Use medium heat when sautéing mushrooms and chicken to prevent burning and achieve even, delicious caramelization.
• Strategic Cheese Garnish: Add freshly grated Parmesan just before serving to maintain its sharp flavor and prevent the cheese from becoming soggy or melting completely.

Best Ways to Save Leftover Pesto Tortellini

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the dish fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Transfer cooled tortellini to a freezer-safe container, sealing tightly to prevent freezer burn. Frozen pesto pasta maintains quality for up to 1 month.
• Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent drying. Stir occasionally until heated through, which helps preserve the pasta's texture and prevents overcooking.

What Complements This Fresh, Herb-Packed Pasta

• Elevate with Crisp White Wine: Pair this vibrant spring tortellini with a chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio. The wine's bright acidity perfectly complements the fresh pesto and green vegetables.
• Balance with Light Salad: Create a refreshing side of mixed greens with lemon vinaigrette. The salad's crispness will enhance the creamy pasta and provide a delightful textural contrast.
• Complement with Crusty Bread: Serve warm, rustic sourdough or ciabatta to soak up the delicious pesto sauce. The bread's crusty exterior and soft interior will add depth to each bite of the tortellini.
• Finish with Citrus Sorbet: End the meal with a zesty lemon or grapefruit sorbet. Its clean, tangy flavor will cleanse the palate and provide a light, refreshing finish to the rich pasta dish.

Tortellini Flavor Twists for Seasonal Swaps

• Green Goddess Blend: Swap traditional pesto with a vibrant kale and spinach pesto, adding extra nutritional value and a deeper green color to the dish.
• Mediterranean Mingle: Replace chicken with grilled shrimp or white fish, incorporate sun-dried tomatoes, and use a basil-mint pesto for a Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Vegetarian Power Bowl: Substitute chicken with roasted chickpeas or cubed tofu, add roasted bell peppers, and use a vegan cashew-based pesto for a plant-based alternative.
• Spicy Herb Fusion: Introduce chopped jalapeños, use a cilantro-jalapeño pesto, and add grilled chorizo for a zesty and bold flavor profile that kicks up the heat.

Spring Pesto Tortellini Recipe

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4.8 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy spring pesto tortellini delivers a symphony of Italian countryside flavors. Fresh herbs and tender pasta dance together, creating a quick weeknight dinner that transports you straight to a sunny Mediterranean kitchen.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 large chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces and seasoned with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs
• 12 ounces (340 grams) cheese tortellini

Vegetables:

• 1 bunch asparagus, ends trimmed and cut into thirds
• 1 cup (150 grams) frozen green peas, thawed
• 6 ounces (170 grams) crimini mushrooms, stems removed and sliced

Sauce and Seasoning:

• 1 batch fresh pesto
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil, divided
• 2 tablespoons (30 grams) grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Fill a spacious stockpot with water and bring to a vigorous boil, creating a bubbling liquid stage.
2. Introduce asparagus and peas into the roiling water, allowing them to blanch for precisely two minutes to preserve their vibrant color and crisp texture.
3. Carefully slide tortellini into the water, following package guidelines for optimal cooking duration until they float and become tender.
4. Drain the pasta and vegetables, then quickly rinse under cold water to halt the cooking process and prevent clumping.
5. Warm olive oil in a generously sized skillet over medium heat, creating a shimmering cooking surface.
6. Introduce sliced mushrooms to the skillet, sautéing until they develop a rich, golden-brown caramelization, approximately five minutes.
7. Transfer the perfectly browned mushrooms to a separate plate, reserving them for later incorporation.
8. In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil and carefully place seasoned chicken pieces, cooking thoroughly until they reach a uniform golden-brown exterior and are completely cooked through.
9. Reunite the previously prepared asparagus, peas, and tortellini with the chicken in the skillet.
10. Gently fold in the reserved mushrooms and pesto, ensuring each ingredient is luxuriously coated with the aromatic sauce.
11. Remove the skillet from heat, garnish generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and serve immediately while still steaming hot.

Notes

• Prep ahead by chopping vegetables and measuring ingredients before starting to cook for smooth, efficient meal preparation.
• Cook asparagus and peas briefly to maintain bright color and crisp texture, preventing overcooking and mushiness.
• Use same skillet for multiple ingredients to build layers of flavor and reduce cleanup time.
• Choose store-bought or homemade pesto for quick sauce that instantly elevates the dish’s taste profile.
• Select fresh, high-quality tortellini for best flavor and texture, preferably cheese or spinach-filled varieties.
• Finish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese to add rich, salty complexity and enhance overall dish appeal.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 57 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg