For a hearty and satisfying picnic or cookout dish, look no further than this tortellini pasta salad. The fabulous combination of tortellini with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and pesto goes way beyond leafy greens for a delicious salad.
Instead of a pasta salad with boring elbows, this dish has cheese-stuffed tortellini, which turns a simple salad into one satisfying enough to be a main course. And it’s incredibly easy to prepare ahead of time.
Just toss everything together and chill, and you’re ready to go. It’s a lifesaver for busy schedules and one of my favorite dishes to bring to a potluck. This recipe combines convenience, flavor, and heartiness, making it the perfect addition to your next outdoor adventure.
In this post, I’ll share my best tips and tricks for crafting the perfect tortellini pasta salad so you can enjoy this crowd-pleasing dish all summer long.
If you love summer salads try you will also love Amish macaroni salad, chickpea salad or broccoli slaw!
🥘Ingredient Notes
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Tortellini: Either fresh or frozen tortellini works well in this salad.
- Mozzarella: I love to use little mozzarella balls because they go perfectly with the cherry tomatoes. But you can dice up a block of mozzarella if you prefer.
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Red Onion or Shallot
- Pesto: Homemade or store-bought, whichever you like.
- Red Wine Vinegar
- Salt
- Pepper
- Basil
🥣How to Make Tortellini Pasta Salad
- Cook your tortellini according to the package directions. Then, give them a quick rinse in cold water. This stops the cooking process and keeps them from sticking.
- Toss the cooled tortellini in a bowl with the tomatoes, red onions, mozzarella cheese, pesto, and red wine vinegar.
- Give it a taste test. Do you need a little more salt or a crack of pepper? Go for it! Then, garnish with fresh basil.
🍴Serving Ideas
This tortellini pasta salad is a great summer side or main course. If it is dinner, serve it on a bed of spinach and add some crusty Italian bread.
For a cookout, you can scoop it into individual mason jars for a charming and portable picnic treat. Just twist the lid, pack, and go! You can also serve it alongside grilled chicken or fish as a refreshing side that everyone will love.
💭How to Store
Cover this pasta salad with plastic wrap or put it into an airtight container. Refrigerate and it will stay fresh and tasty for up to five days.
Before serving it again, stir it to redistribute the pesto and flavors. If it seems a bit dry, drizzle extra virgin olive oil or a spoonful of pesto to bring it back to life.
⭐Tips
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- Don’t overcook your tortellini! Follow the directions on the package and cook it only until al dente.
- While mozzarella is marvelous, try swapping in cubed provolone or smoked gouda for a different twist.
- Not a fan of tomatoes or onions? Swap in diced bell peppers, cucumbers, or artichoke hearts. It’s your salad, after all.
- If you’re not into pesto, an excellent Italian dressing can work wonders, too.
- This is a great salad to make ahead of time. Just wait to add the basil garnish until right before serving.
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Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 20 ounces tortellini
- 12 ounces mozzarella
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- ⅛ cup red onion or shallot
- 1 cup pesto
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Basil to garnish
Instructions
- Cook tortellini in salted water as directed on the box.20 ounces tortellini
- Drain the tortellini and rinse with cold water.
- Put them in a bowl and add the mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, red onion, pesto, and red wine vinegar. Mix well.12 ounces mozzarella, 1 cup cherry tomatoes, ⅛ cup red onion or shallot, 1 cup pesto, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- Taste and add salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with basil.Salt & pepper to taste, Basil to garnish
Notes
- Don’t overcook your tortellini! Follow the directions on the package and cook it only until al dente.
- Not a fan of tomatoes or onions? Swap in diced bell peppers, cucumbers, or artichoke hearts.
- If you’re not into pesto, an excellent Italian dressing works great too.
- This is a great salad to make ahead of time. Just wait to add the basil garnish until right before serving.
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
