Tortellini Pasta Salad With Pesto
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. This is one of the easiest and tastiest Tortellini Pasta Salad.
Tortellini Pasta Salad With Pesto
If you love pasta salads, then you are going to love this Tortellini pasta salad with pesto. It is the perfect combination as it combines cheese tortellini, pesto, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, onions, olives, and cucumbers to make a summer salad that you will want to enjoy all season long.
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.
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 and FAQs
- Be sure you only cook your pasta for 1 ½ minutes. If you cook it for the recommended time on the package they will be too soft and mushy for the salad.
- If you prefer you can swap out the cherry tomatoes for sun-dried tomatoes. You can also use whole tomatoes, but they won’t be as flavorful.
- Want a different flavor? Swap out the mozzarella cheese for feta.
- You can easily slice your mozzarella balls in half if you want them to be more bite-size.
- I will alternate when making this between kalamata olives and black olives.
- You can use your own homemade pesto recipe if you prefer.
- Omit the onion if you are not a fan of onions. Add in a red or orange pepper to get that crunch we love.
Storage
You will want to store this salad in an airtight container in the fridge. It will last up to 4 days.
Be sure to not let it sit out for more than 2 hours. If it does you will want to toss the leftovers and not save them.
This recipe does not freeze well.
Yes! You can make this ahead of time. I often make it in the morning and then let it sit in the fridge until we are ready to serve it for dinner.
I love to pair this salad with burgers, shrimp, or a piece of BBQ chicken.
Tortellini Pasta Salad With Pesto
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:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 476Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 58mgSodium: 666mgCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 19g
