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Loaded with summer flavor, easy Caprese Tortellini Salad is party perfect for any occasion. Ready in minutes and with just a handful of ingredients, you’ll be adding this to your list of summer staples!
It’s party season, or at least it seems to be. With the kick off of summer just around the corner and all the Memorial Day hubbub, then graduation looming here in just a few weeks, it seems there’s a celebration around every single corner.
I like to keep things simple. Especially the summer side dishes like this Caprese Tortellini Pasta Salad.
Let’s just enjoy a blueberry lemonade mojitos and stuff our faces silly while we listen to the birds chirp, the leaves blow in the wind and the kids squeal with joy that school is finally out. Shall we? It’s been my experience that pasta salad is the first bowl to vanish at any barbecue, people LOVE their carbs. And I’m one of those people. I could, literally, live on spaghetti salad morning, noon and night.
I love any variation from a simple macaroni salad to a chopped italian pasta salad. I could eat it all. And with everyone flipping out over “Caprese” everything, I thought I’d just go with it. Because it’s summer and we need to take it easy.
How to Make Tortellini Pasta Salad
This easy Caprese Pesto Tortellini Salad recipe is so easy to make…you’re just not going to believe it. Really. Just four ingredients go into a bowl, cheese tortellini, tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and fresh basil pesto…tossed together and then, voila, salad. Probably the best you ever had. Unless you tried Lobster Pasta Salad from last summer, then it may be a toss up. Or a tie.
- Cook the tortellini pasta to just al dente, about a minute less than the package instructions.
- Immediately drain the pasta and stop the cooking by running under cold water briefly.
- Transfer the tortellini to a bowl.
- Add the chopped tomatoes, basil pesto and cheese.
- Toss to combine.
- Serve with chopped fresh basil, if desired.
How to Make it in Advance
You can DEFINITELY make this easy Caprese Tortellini Salad in advance. In fact, it’s even better if you make it the day before because the pesto has a chance to get all in the nooks and crannies of the tortellini making it extra tasty!
Serving Suggestions
Here are my favorite things to pair with my pasta salad.
- The Very Best Oven Baked Chicken….naturally.
- Easy Parmesan Crusted Chicken Cutlets….so good!
- Super fast Grilled Filet Mignon
- Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs
More Easy Summer Side Dish Recipes
And if you’re looking for more salad inspiration be sure to follow us over on Instagram!
Caprese Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe
Equipment
- bowl
Ingredients
- 1-20 oz package refrigerated cheese tortellini, I used Buitoni
- 1-7 oz package refrigerated basil pesto, I used Buitoni Basil Pesto Sauce
- 2 cups halved grape tomatoes
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- fresh basil for garnish, if desired
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium high heat. Add the tortellini and cook according to package directions. (Do not overcook.)
- Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Transfer the pasta to a large bowl.
- Add the pesto, tomatoes and cheese. Toss to coat.
- Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I love love love this site.
Can I use a jar of pesto sauce instead of the refrigerated pesto sauce?
Yes, a jar will work!
My daughter-in-law makes this especially for me at our family gathering because she knows just how much I truly LOVE this salad. I LOVE the idea of adding the presto sauce!! I’m getting ready to run into my kitchen right now and add it!! We also add a nice balsamic vinegar/oil dressing it. This is going to be my new go to salad!! My kids have ALWAYS loved my macaroni salad, that’s been my go to for over 30 years. Time to throw in something new & requires a bit less work!
How very sweet of her! It’s a favorite of ours, too!
So much flavor in this dish! Perfect for summer!
This was delicious and so easy to make. Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe!
Thank you for your lovely comment! I love this salad. 🙂
Love easy salads like this! Perfect for a summer picnic!
This salad is right up our alley. Totally trying it at our next summer BBQ!