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    Home » Dinner

    Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad

    Published: Aug 28, 2023 · Modified: Sep 18, 2023 by Kelli Avila · This post may contain affiliate links ·

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    A close up of the pesto tortellini salad in a bowl.

    This Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad with tomatoes and mozzarella is a delicious twist on the traditional pasta salad. Made in about 15 minutes, this is the perfect light lunch or picnic side.

    A prepared bowl of tortellini salad.

    There are two types of people in this world: those who look forward to the main course at a celebration involving food (you know...the good kinds of celebrations) and those who are all about the side dishes. Me? I'm the latter. At cookouts and BBQs, I could care less about what is coming off the grill, and look forward to a full plate of various side salads. I'm the type of person who might have a burger, but I am more likely to have a plate full of coleslaw, macaroni salad, or salted potatoes and succotash.

    Well, add this Tortellini Salad to the list, because it's a dish I've been making over and over this summer. With cheese tortellini, fresh tomatoes and the cutest little mozzarella pearls, a store-bought or homemade pesto brings it all together. It can be ready in under 15 minutes and can be made up to a day in advance.

    So let's get to making it! You can jump around the article using the menu below, or you can just head right to the bottom for the complete recipe.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients Needed and Substitutions
    • Kelli's Best Tips
    • Storage
    • More Salad Recipes
    • More Pasta Recipes
    • Full Recipe

    Ingredients Needed and Substitutions

    Here is a brief overview of the ingredients needed for this recipe. The full recipe with quantities is listed below this text in the recipe card. If substitutions are available for this recipe, they'll be listed here. If you don't see a substitution you are looking for, please leave a comment below.

    The ingredients for the tortollini salad each individually lined up in a bowl next to a container of pesto.
    • tortellini (fresh or frozen works fine, though I preferred the taste when I made it with fresh pasta)
    • basil pesto (homemade or store-bought works well)
    • red wine vinegar (this can be swapped with white wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar, depending on your preferences)
    • mozzarella pearls (use any type of fresh mozzarella, just dice whatever size you use to be bite-sized)
    • cherry tomatoes
    • fresh basil (or other fresh herbs)

    Kelli's Best Tips

    This is a simple pasta salad recipe, but here are a few notes to ensure it turns out perfectly!

    • Don't overcook the tortellini: Cook it according to package instructions, then immediately strain and run it under cold water to stop the cooking. Nobody wants soggy pasta in their pasta salad.
    • Season each layer: The professionals know the key to turning a good salad into a great salad is to build up the layers of flavor. Season the pasta water (even though you are straining it), season the pesto and vinegar mixture, and season the salad at the end. It's the small steps that add a lot of complexity to the finished product.
    • Make it your own: This recipe is simple, but there are plenty of opportunities for substitution based on your preferences or what ingredients you have on hand. For instance, you can replace the tomatoes with oil-packed sundried tomatoes. You can also opt for a different type of cheese or pesto, such as this kale pesto.

    Storage

    This tortellini pasta salad is delicious on the day it is made, but it can be enjoyed the next day as well. It can be kept in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, but as the days go on, the pesto changes color and the acid starts to interact with the tomatoes, which may cause a slightly bitter flavor, so don't wait too long to enjoy the leftovers.

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    Making the recipe? Be sure to leave a comment with a star ⭐️ review on your experience! Have a question? Leave a comment below and I’ll get back to you as quickly as I can!

    Print

    Full Recipe

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    A prepared bowl of tortellini salad.

    Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad

    ★ 5 Stars ☆ ★ 4 Stars ☆ ★ 3 Stars ☆ ★ 2 Stars ☆ ★ 1 Star ☆ No reviews
    • Author: Kelli Avila
    • Prep Time: 00:5
    • Cook Time: 00:10
    • Total Time: 15 minutes
    • Yield: 6-8 1x
    • Category: Side Dish
    • Method: Stovetop
    • Cuisine: American
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    Description

    This Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad with tomatoes and mozzarella is a delicious twist on the traditional pasta salad. Made in about 15 minutes, this is the perfect light lunch or picnic side.


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 18 ounces tortellini, cooked
    • 1-½ cups store-bought or homemade basil pesto
    • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
    • Salt and pepper, to taste
    • 8 ounces mozzarella pearls
    • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
    • Fresh basil, for serving

    Instructions

    1. Bring large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook tortellini according to package instructions. When done, strain and rinse with cool water.
    2. In a large bowl, whisk together red wine vinegar, pesto and a big pinch of salt and pepper.
    3. Add in the tortellini, cherry tomatoes and mozzarella pearls and toss to combine. Taste, and adjust seasoning, adding more salt or vinegar as needed. Sprinkle with basil.
    4. Serve at room temperature.

    Keywords: Pesto Tortellini Salad

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    Hi, I'm so glad you are here!

    I'm Kelli, the creator of Everyday Family Eats, this space where I share easy and quick recipes the whole family will love! I'm a former professional cook and baker, and full-time working mom, who is passionate about creating approachable dinner ideas that allow the whole family to gather at the table and enjoy a meal together.

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