When it comes to refreshing summer salads, Tortellini Pasta Salad with Pesto is a true crowd-pleaser. This vibrant dish combines tender cheese-filled tortellini with the rich flavors of basil pesto, complemented by juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella balls, and a medley of fresh vegetables. It’s a perfect blend of flavors and textures that’s both satisfying and easy to prepare.

Tortellini Pasta Salad With Pesto

Boiling the tortellini for just a brief 1 1/2 minutes ensures they’re cooked al dente, retaining their delightful chewiness and preventing them from becoming mushy. Once cooled and tossed with the aromatic pesto, every bite bursts with Italian-inspired goodness. This salad is not only quick to assemble but also holds well in the refrigerator, making it ideal for meal prep or a make-ahead side dish for picnics and gatherings.

Whether served as a light lunch, a refreshing side at a barbecue, or a standalone dish on a warm evening, Tortellini Pasta Salad with Pesto promises to be a hit. Its versatility allows for personal touches—feel free to add your favorite ingredients or adjust the seasoning to suit your taste. Get ready to enjoy a taste of summer with this delicious and satisfying pasta salad that’s sure to become a favorite in your repertoire.

Once you try this, you will want to take it to all the BBQs and parties this year. Alternate this salad with our Italian Pasta Salad and our Shrimp pasta salad.

What You Will Love About This Recipe

Flavorful Pesto Dressing: The combination of store-bought pesto adds a burst of fresh basil and garlic flavor, coating each tortellini and ingredient with a rich and savory dressing.
Variety of Textures: With tender cheese-filled tortellini, juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella balls, crunchy cucumbers, and briny kalamata olives, every bite offers a satisfying mix of textures that complement each other perfectly.
Ease and Convenience: This recipe is quick and straightforward to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights or as a make-ahead dish for picnics and potlucks. It’s also versatile—you can customize it with your favorite vegetables or add grilled chicken for a heartier meal.

Overall, Tortellini Pasta Salad with Pesto is not only delicious and refreshing but also versatile and convenient, making it a go-to recipe for summer gatherings or a simple weekday meal.

How to Make Tortellini Pasta Salad With Pesto

1. Boil a large pot of water. Add in the cheese tortellini. Boil for 1 1/2 minutes. Do not follow the package instructions.

2. Drain and immediately rinse with cold water.

3. In a large bowl add the tortellini, pesto, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, red onion, kalamata olives, cucumber, salt, and pepper. Mix until fully incorporated.

4. Top with the basil.

5. Serve immediately or store in the fridge with a tight lid for up to 5 days.

Tips & Tricks

Cook Tortellini Al Dente: Boil the tortellini for slightly less time than indicated on the package instructions to ensure they are al dente. This helps maintain their texture and prevents them from becoming mushy when mixed with the other ingredients.
Use Quality Pesto: Opt for a good-quality store-bought pesto or make homemade pesto for the freshest flavor. Pesto is the star of this dish, so its quality will significantly impact the overall taste.
Chill Before Serving: After mixing all the ingredients together, refrigerate the pasta salad for at least an hour before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and enhances the taste of the dish.
Customize Ingredients: Feel free to customize the ingredients based on your preferences or what you have on hand. You can add additional vegetables like bell peppers or spinach, swap mozzarella for feta cheese, or add protein such as grilled chicken or shrimp for a more substantial meal.
Garnish Just Before Serving: Sprinkle fresh basil or additional grated Parmesan cheese on top of the pasta salad just before serving to add a pop of color and extra flavor.

FAQs

Absolutely! Fresh tortellini can be used in this recipe instead of frozen. Adjust the cooking time accordingly, as fresh pasta typically cooks faster than frozen.

You can store the Tortellini Pasta Salad with Pesto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Make sure to give it a stir before serving, as the pesto may settle at the bottom.

Yes, this pasta salad is great for making ahead of time. In fact, it’s even better after chilling in the fridge for at least an hour to let the flavors meld together. Just give it a good mix before serving.

tortellini pasta salad with pesto long pin

Tortellini Pasta Salad With Pesto

Name: Tortellini Pasta Salad With Pesto
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 2 min 2 s
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 19-ounce bag frozen cheese tortellini; 1 cup store-bought pesto; 1-pint cherry tomatoes, sliced; 8 ounces mozzarella balls, drained; 1/2 cup red onion, diced; 10 kalamata olives, sliced; 1/2 cup cucumber, sliced; 1/8 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon pepper; 1 tablespoon basil, julienned

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 2 minutes 2 seconds

Total Time: 15 minutes

Looking for a quick and easy salad? This Tortellini Pasta Salad With Pesto is just the ticket! In just 15 minutes you will have the perfect salad that is sure to leave you full.

Ingredients

19-ounce bag frozen cheese tortellini
1 cup store-bought pesto
1-pint cherry tomatoes, sliced
8 ounces mozzarella balls, drained
1/2 cup red onion, diced
10 kalamata olives, sliced
1/2 cup cucumber, sliced
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon basil, julienned

Instructions

1. Boil a large pot of water. Add in the cheese tortellini. Boil for 1 1/2 minutes. Do not follow the package instructions.

2. Drain and immediately rinse with cold water.

3. In a large bowl add the tortellini, pesto, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, red onion, kalamata olives, cucumber, salt, and pepper. Mix until fully incorporated.

4. Top with the basil.

5. Serve immediately or store in the fridge with a tight lid for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 476Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 58mgSodium: 666mgCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 19g

Melissa

I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!

Tortellini Pasta Salad With Pesto