If you’re craving a dish that’s bursting with summer flavor and comes together in ten blissful minutes, this Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad is about to become your new go-to. Plump cheese tortellini, fresh pesto, juicy tomatoes, and marinated mozzarella—all tossed together for a salad that’s just as perfect for weeknight dinners as it is for picnics and potlucks.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Insanely Fast: You can prep and serve this Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad in just ten minutes—perfect for busy evenings or impromptu gatherings.
- Big Bold Flavors: Bright pesto, creamy mozzarella, and sweet cherry tomatoes create a combination that tastes like a bite of sunshine.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: This salad actually gets better as it chills, which means you can make it ahead and enjoy fuss-free hosting.
- Delightfully Versatile: Serve it warm or cold, as a side or main—it’s always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s talk about what makes this Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad shine. The ingredient list is refreshingly simple, but each component brings something special—whether it’s flavor, color, or that irresistible creamy-cheesy bite.
- Cheese tortellini: These pillowy pasta bites cook up fast and deliver instant cheesy satisfaction—go for the refrigerated or frozen variety for best texture.
- Pesto: Fresh, store-bought, or homemade pesto coats every piece beautifully and infuses rich basil and garlic notes.
- Cherry tomatoes: Halved for juicy pops of sweetness and a burst of summer color.
- Marinated mozzarella balls: These add creamy decadence and savory herbs—drain well so your salad isn’t watery.
- Red onion: Just a little goes a long way for crunchy bite and a pop of tanginess to balance the cheese and pesto.
Variations
The beauty of this Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad? It’s endlessly customizable! Whether you’re looking to empty your fridge, accommodate dietary needs, or play with new flavors, feel free to tweak to your heart’s content.
- Go Green: Toss in a handful of baby spinach, arugula, or even steamed broccoli for a boost of veggies and color.
- Swap the Cheese: If you’re out of mozzarella, try feta, goat cheese, or even cubed provolone for a twist.
- Add Protein: Stir in grilled chicken, shredded rotisserie chicken, or chickpeas to make it a heartier main.
- Switch Up the Pesto: Sun-dried tomato pesto or even a zesty lemon-pistachio version will give your pasta salad a whole new personality.
How to Make Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad
Step 1: Cook the Tortellini
Bring a big pot of salted water to a rolling boil, then add the cheese tortellini. They only need about 1 and 1/2 minutes to become perfectly tender, so keep a close eye—overcooked tortellini get mushy and lose their charm!
Step 2: Chill and Drain
Once cooked, drain the tortellini immediately and rinse under cool running water. This stops the cooking in its tracks and helps prevent sticking, so every bite stays delightfully springy.
Step 3: Toss Everything Together
Transfer the cooled tortellini to a big serving bowl. Add the pesto, cherry tomatoes, drained mozzarella balls, and red onion. Gently toss until every piece is glistening with that herby, aromatic sauce and speckled with pops of color and cheesy goodness.
Step 4: Serve or Chill
Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad is ready to enjoy immediately—but it’s also fantastic chilled. Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors mingle and deepen as it sits, making it an ideal make-ahead option for lunches or parties.
Pro Tips for Making Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad
- Tortellini Timing: Keep an eye on the clock—just 90 seconds is all you need for perfectly bouncy tortellini that don’t fall apart in the salad.
- Maximum Pesto Flavor: Use a really good-quality pesto or homemade if you can; the bright basil and garlic really shine through when they’re fresh.
- Layer, Then Toss: Add the pesto to the still-slightly-warm pasta so it absorbs the flavors even more, but wait to add the mozzarella and tomatoes so they stay perky.
- Let It Marinate: If you’ve got the time, let the salad sit for 30 minutes in the fridge—flavors will meld together and the salad gets even tastier.
How to Serve Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad
Garnishes
For that final restaurant-worthy flourish, sprinkle your salad with extra fresh basil leaves, a dusting of grated parmesan, or a grind of black pepper. A drizzle of good olive oil on top is the cherry on the cake if you like things extra luscious.
Side Dishes
This Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad is ultra-satisfying on its own, but it also makes an amazing side for grilled chicken, salmon, or even a simple leafy green salad. Pair with garlic bread or a crisp Sauvignon Blanc for a meal that tastes like summer on a plate.
Creative Ways to Present
Spoon it into individual cups or mason jars for perfect picnic portions, or serve mounded on a big white platter for a party. For a vibrant potluck centerpiece, arrange sliced cherry tomatoes and mozzarella balls in a fun swirl or pattern over the top!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad tightly covered in the refrigerator. It keeps fresh for up to three days and makes a delicious grab-and-go lunch straight from the fridge!
Freezing
Freezing is not recommended for this pasta salad, as the tortellini and mozzarella’s texture can become unpleasantly chewy when thawed. You’ll get the freshest, tastiest results simply by storing it chilled.
Reheating
This salad is best enjoyed cold or at room temperature, but if you prefer it a bit warmer, let it sit at room temp for 20–30 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving, as the cheese can melt and the pasta may turn mushy.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen tortellini for this recipe?
Absolutely! Just cook the frozen tortellini according to the package instructions, but be careful not to overcook—they’ll need an extra minute or two compared to refrigerated tortellini, but still taste fantastic in this salad.
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Is there a dairy-free or vegan version of this pasta salad?
You can easily make this dish dairy-free by swapping in your favorite plant-based tortellini and mozzarella, and using a dairy-free pesto. There are lots of great options at specialty grocers these days!
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Can I make Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad the night before?
Yes! In fact, the salad gets even more flavorful as it chills. Just cover tightly and give it a gentle toss before serving to redistribute the pesto and juices that may settle at the bottom.
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What kind of pesto works best?
Classic basil pesto is always a winner, but you can use any pesto you love—including spinach, arugula, or even a spicy red variety. Homemade or high-quality store-bought will both work beautifully in this Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad.
Final Thoughts
Give this Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad a try next time you need a vibrant dish that delivers major flavor with minimal effort. It’s sure to become a crave-worthy favorite you’ll reach for all year long. Enjoy every herby, cheesy, sunshine-filled bite!
Print
Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Pasta Salad
- Method: Boiling, Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad is a flavorful and satisfying dish that is perfect for a quick lunch or as a side dish for a summer barbecue. The combination of cheese tortellini, fresh pesto, cherry tomatoes, marinated mozzarella balls, and red onion creates a delicious twist on a classic pasta salad.
Ingredients
Cheese Tortellini:
- 1 20 ounce bag cheese tortellini
Pesto:
- 1 cup pesto
Cherry Tomatoes:
- 1 and 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
Marinated Mozzarella Balls:
- 1 12 ounce container marinated mozzarella balls, drained
Red Onion:
- 1/4 cup red onion, diced
Instructions
- Boil the Tortellini: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add tortellini and cook for 1 and 1/2 minutes. Do not overcook!
- Rinse the Tortellini: Drain and rinse under cold water until cool.
- Combine Ingredients: Place tortellini in a large serving bowl. Add in pesto, tomatoes, cheese, and onion. Toss well to coat.
- Serve or Chill: Serve at once, or cover and place in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
