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    Home » Recipes » Salads

    Easy Tortellini Pesto Salad

    Published: May 6, 2023 · Modified: Jul 31, 2023 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

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    This delicious tortellini pesto salad is a rich, light pasta salad loaded with flavor, not work. Pest, cheese tortellini, and more come together to create a dish that's as at home on the dinner table as it is at your backyard bash.

    A spoonful of pesto tortellini salad held up over the bowl.

    I love pasta salad, but years of making the same kind over and over can get boring.

    That's why I love this tortellini salad. Thanks to pesto, it's full of flavor and a great change of pace from traditional pasta salad.

    If you love pesto, you've got to try my pesto gnocchi recipe or this pesto salmon recipe.

    Why You Will Love Tortellini Pesto Pasta Salad

    • It only uses a handful of simple ingredients.
    • It's an easy recipe that takes just minutes to make.
    • It's super versatile and makes a great main dish or side dish.
    • Perfect for serving a crowd at your next BBQ or potluck!

    Ingredients

    This recipe is incredibly simple and so is the ingredient list. You'll find everything you need at your local grocery store. Remember to consult the recipe card at the end of the post for exact quantities.

    Ingredients to make pesto tortellini pasta salad on the table.
    • Frozen cheese tortellini: An refrigerated product to make this salad easy to make.
    • Pesto: Feel free to buy your favorite brand or make your own! If you end up with some of it leftover, make a batch of pesto mayo or this pesto salad dressing.
    • Grated parmesan cheese: For more cheesy flavor!
    • Cherry tomatoes: Work perfectly for making this pasta salad with tortellini.
    • Mozzarella pearls: Also called bocconcini, these small balls of mozzarella are super easy to add to salads!
    • Fresh basil: An easy garnish that looks nice but also enhances the basil flavor of the pesto.

    Substitutions and Variations

    • Cheese tortellini: Use another flavor of tortellini or you can swap it for your favorite pasta.
    • Parmesan cheese: Grated asiago, romano, or pecorino romano work fine in place of the grated parmesan cheese.
    • Spicy: Add a pinch of red chili flakes or a few dashes of this homemade hot pepper sauce.
    • Nuts: Top with pine nuts or walnuts for added flavor and texture.

    How to Make Pesto Tortellini Salad

    This recipe requires very little effort or cooking knowledge to make. Anyone can do it! Check out the highlights below. You can find the complete instructions in the recipe card at the end of the post.

    1. Cook the tortellini according to the directions on the package.
    Cooked tortellini in a pot.
    1. Mix in the pesto and add the parmesan cheese.
    Pesto and parmesan cheese added to the pot of tortellini.
    1. Add the tomatoes and mozzarella and mix it all up.
    2. Transfer it to a serving bowl and top with fresh basil.
    A bowl of pesto tortellini salad with mozzarella balls and tomatoes added.
    Tortellini pesto salad in a bowl with fresh basil.

    What to Serve with Tortellini Pasta Salad

    This versatile pasta salad can be served warm as a main dish or cold as a side dish. It's perfect with all your favorite barbecue and potluck dishes like:

    • As a side salad, it goes great with Ground Pork Burgers or these Grilled McDonald's Copycat Burgers.
    • Serve it up with these Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs.
    • Top it with grilled chicken or sliced steak for a main dish!
    • For your next BBQ serve it up with other sides such as baked beans, coleslaw, cornbread, or biscuits.
    • Everyone loves it with their favorite fried chicken or BBQ chicken legs.

    If you're still unsure of what to serve with tortellini salad, check out that link and I'm sure that you'll find something to suit your fancy...like my Grandma used to say "you can never have too many options!"

    Are you looking for the perfect side dish? Go to What to Serve With Ratatouille to find one that will make this meal so much better.

    A fork picking up a bite of tortellini pasta salad with pesto on a plate.

    Tips

    • Cook the pasta to al dente and no further for the best texture and flavor.
    • Use a gentle touch when mixing the ingredients together to prevent pasta breakage
    • Enjoy this tortellini pesto salad warm or cold!
    • Store leftovers in an air-tight container for up to 3 to 5 days. Do not freeze.
    • Make the pesto tortellini salad a day in advance if you'd like to serve it cold.

    FAQ

    What is tortellini?

    Tortellini is a stuffed pasta traditionally filled with a mixture of meat, cheese, egg, and nutmeg. There are a wide variety of fillings these days including cheese and vegetable fillings.

    What is al dente?

    Literally meaning "to the tooth", al dente means that the pasta is soft but still has a bit of firm bite to it.

    Why does pasta salad seem to taste better the next day?

    Because it actually does! When it sits, the pasta and other ingredients have a chance to absorb more of the liquid in the salad, melding the flavors together even more.

    Pesto tortellini salad on a plate with tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil.

    More Pasta Salad Recipes

    Do you like salads with pasta? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.

    • Classic Pasta Salad
      Classic Pasta Salad
    • A bowl of creamy shrimp pasta salad on the table with a fork and fresh ingredients to the side of the bowl.
      Creamy Shrimp Pasta Salad
    • Mediterranean Tortellini Caprese Salad (Costco Copycat)
    • Greek pasta salad in a bowl with a wooden spoon lifting some out.
      Best Greek Pasta Salad

    Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.

    A spoonful of tortellini pesto salad up over the bowl.

    Easy Pesto Tortellini Salad

    Karin and Ken
    This pesto tortellini salad is loaded with cheese tortellini, pesto, cherry tomatoes, and more and makes a great side or main dish.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 137 kcal

    Equipment

    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • saucepan
    • colander
    • wooden spoon
    • mixing bowl
    • Rubber spatula

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 package (19 oz) frozen cheese tortellini
    • 1 jar (8 oz) pesto
    • ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
    • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
    • 8 oz mozzarella pearls
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • Fresh basil cut into strips
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Prepare cheese tortellini according to package directions. (If you prefer your salad cold, run cold water over tortellini when you are done cooking it. I prefer mine warm, so I skip this.)
    • In a large bowl, combine prepared tortellini, pesto, parmesan cheese, tomato halves, and mozzarella pearls.
    • Season with salt and pepper according to your preference.
    • Top with fresh basil and serve.

    Notes

    Cook the pasta to al dente and no further for the best texture and flavor.
    Use a gentle touch when mixing the pasta salad ingredients to prevent pasta breakage
    Enjoy this tortellini pesto salad warm or cold!
    Store leftovers in an air-tight container for up to 3 to 5 days. Do not freeze.
    Make the pesto pasta salad a day in advance if you'd like to serve it cold.
    There are so many options when it comes to what to serve with tortellini salad, that we've created a list for you to check out. You can find your favorite companion or switch it up at every meal. The choice is yours!
    Go to What to Serve With Ratatouille to find the perfect side dish. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 137kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 10gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 315mgPotassium: 91mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 416IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 231mgIron: 0.4mg
    Keyword pesto tortellini salad, tortellini pesto salad, tortellini salad with pesto
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Welcome!

    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life, Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

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