Tortellini and Pesto with Snow Peas: A Flavorful, Quick Weeknight Recipe

A fresh, vibrant pasta dish you can make in minutes—ideal for weeknight dinners or effortless entertaining.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 28, 2025

A fresh, vibrant pasta dish you can make in minutes—ideal for weeknight dinners or effortless entertaining.

Tortellini and Pesto with Snow Peas: A Quick and Flavorful Meal

Pasta lovers searching for a quick and vibrant weeknight meal will savor this tortellini and pesto with snow peas recipe. Bursting with fresh flavors and ready in under 30 minutes, it offers a satisfying blend of creamy cheese tortellini, garlicky pesto, and crisp-tender snow peas. Not only does it please the palate, but it also boasts impressive nutrition and endless customization options for dynamic mealtime solutions.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Speedy prep: The entire dish is ready in about 20 minutes, making it ideal for busy evenings.
Minimal ingredients: You need just a handful of fresh and pantry staples.
Flavorful and flexible: The recipe highlights seasonal veggies, herby pesto, and can easily adapt to include your favorite pasta or vegetables.
Nutritionally balanced: Enjoy a satisfying combination of pasta, cheese, and greens for a fulfilling meal.
Family-friendly: The approachable flavors and fun shapes of tortellini create a dish both adults and kids will enjoy.

Packed with Nutrition

While delicious comfort is a given, this meal also delivers on the health front:

Cheese tortellini provides protein, calcium, and a tasty base for the meal.
Snow peas are crunchy, vitamin-rich legumes that add color, fiber, and fresh flavor.
Pesto (especially when made with heart-healthy olive oil, fresh basil, and nuts) supplies healthy fats and antioxidants.

Paired together, these ingredients create a plate that offers both indulgence and nourishment.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Cheese tortellini: Look for fresh or refrigerated tortellini for fastest cooking.
Fresh snow peas: You may use sugar snap peas as an alternative for similar texture and sweetness.
Pesto: Homemade pesto is highly recommended for the brightest flavor, but high-quality store-bought basil pesto is a convenient substitute.
Extra-virgin olive oil: Used for flavor and to dress the pasta if desired.
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese: For serving and added richness.
Black pepper: For seasoning at the end.

Optional Additions and Swaps

Vegetables: Add blanched asparagus, baby spinach, or roasted cherry tomatoes for color and nutrition.
Pasta variety: Substitute with spinach or mushroom-filled tortellini, or use ravioli.
Nuts and seeds: Top with toasted pine nuts or sunflower seeds for crunch.
Protein: Toss in rotisserie chicken or white beans for extra substance.

How to Make Tortellini and Pesto with Snow Peas

Boil the pasta water: Fill a large pot with salted water and bring it to a rolling boil.
Prep the snow peas: Trim the ends and, if desired, remove the tough string from each pea.
Cook the tortellini: Once the water boils, add the cheese tortellini and cook according to package directions; this typically takes 3–5 minutes for fresh tortellini.
Blanch the snow peas: In the last 1–2 minutes of the pasta’s cooking time, add the snow peas to the pot so they become just-tender but still vividly green.
Drain: Drain the pasta and peas, reserving a cup of the starchy cooking water to help loosen the sauce if needed.
Toss with pesto: Return the pasta and peas to the pot or a large bowl. Add the pesto and a splash of reserved water; gently toss until the pasta is well coated. Drizzle in a little extra olive oil for richness, if desired.
Serve: Divide among bowls. Top with plenty of Parmesan and a few cracks of black pepper. Enjoy immediately!

Tips for the Best Results

Don’t overcook the peas: Snow peas should remain crisp-tender to contrast the pillowy tortellini.
Use reserved pasta water wisely: Add it gradually to achieve the perfect sauce consistency.
Serve promptly: The dish is best fresh, while the pesto is fragrant and peas are bright.

Shortcuts and Substitutions

Frozen peas: If fresh snow peas aren’t available, use frozen thawed peas for sweetness.
Pre-made pesto: Good quality store-bought pesto makes this recipe even faster.
Gluten-free options: Substitute gluten-free tortellini to accommodate dietary needs.
Nut-free pesto: Swap pine nuts for seeds or omit nuts to create a nut-free version.

Nutritional Highlights (Per Serving)

Calories	Protein	Carbohydrates	Fat	Fiber
450–500	13–18g	55–65g	18–23g	4–6g

Numbers will vary based on your choice of tortellini and pesto.

Make It Your Own: Variations & Serving Ideas

Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu for a heartier meal.
Toss in roasted cherry tomatoes or steamed broccoli for more vegetables and color.
Swap in different types of pasta if tortellini aren’t available—penne, orecchiette, or fusilli pair beautifully with pesto.
Serve warm or cold: This dish is delicious straight from the pot or chilled as a vibrant pasta salad for summer gatherings.

Expert Tips for Perfect Pasta and Pesto

Choose high-quality pesto—fresh ingredients yield the brightest flavor.
Salt your pasta water well—this boosts flavor in every bite.
Cook tortellini until just tender, never mushy, to keep their signature bite.
Use tongs or a large spoon to gently toss the pasta and peas, ensuring even coating without tearing delicate tortellini.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I use frozen tortellini?

A: Absolutely. Simply add a minute or two to the cooking time, and proceed as directed. Fresh tortellini cooks fastest and has the most tender texture.

Q: What’s the best way to store leftovers?

A: Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water or olive oil. Note that reheated snow peas will be softer.

Q: Can I make this dish vegan?

A: Yes! Use vegan tortellini and dairy-free pesto. Top with nutritional yeast or vegan Parmesan alternative to finish.

Q: Is this recipe good for meal prep?

A: This recipe is best enjoyed fresh, but it can be prepped in advance for cold pasta salads or packed lunches. Keep pesto and pasta separate until ready to serve for optimal texture.

Q: What side dishes pair well with tortellini and pesto?

A: Try a crisp green salad, crusty baguette, or roasted vegetables to round out your meal!

Ingredient Spotlight: Snow Peas

Snow peas, a staple in spring and early summer, are beloved for their crisp texture, subtle sweetness, and vibrant green hue. Not only do they contribute a wonderful crunch to the dish, but they’re also packed with vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. Choose peas that are bright green and snap easily for peak freshness.

Serving and Presentation Tips

Garnish with extra torn basil leaves or a drizzle of olive oil for restaurant-worthy presentation.
Serve immediately so the pesto remains bright and the peas are perfectly crisp-tender.
Accompany with a glass of white wine for an easy, elegant dinner.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

While best served fresh, cooked tortellini and vegetables can be stored separately from the pesto for up to 2 days. Toss together just before serving.
If planning to serve cold, rinse the pasta in cool water after cooking to preserve the perfect texture.

Final Thoughts

This tortellini and pesto with snow peas recipe embodies weeknight cooking at its finest—speedy, fresh, customizable, and universally appealing. It transforms simple ingredients into an eye-catching, nourishing meal that’s as effortless as it is delicious. From family suppers to easy entertaining or meal prep, keep this versatile pasta dish in your repertoire for whenever you crave hearty comfort and garden-fresh flavor in under 30 minutes.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

Read full bio of medha deb