Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad

Course: Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Italian-American

Keyword: pesto tortellini pasta salad, tortellini pasta salad with pesto, tortellini pesto pasta salad

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 5

Total Time: 20

Servings:

Calories: 567kcal

Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad is like summer in a bowl. Fresh tortellini, baby tomatoes, basil, and pesto come together in one delicious side dish. Ready in 20 minutes, make-ahead friendly, and vegan friendly, too.

Print Recipe

Ingredients

18 ounces (or 2 (9oz) packages) fresh tortellini cheese, spinach, or vegan
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
½ medium red onion thinly sliced + soaked in cold water for 10 minutes
1 (8 oz) container mozzarella pearls (bocconcini) or ciliegine, sliced in half
¾ - 1 cup pesto full recipe of macadamia nut pesto or store-bought
2 cups baby arugula
½ cup fresh basil leaves torn
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

Optional Add-In's

zest of 1 lemon or lemon juice
pinch of red pepper flakes
provolone cubes see notes

Instructions

Cook: Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Generously season with Kosher salt. Cook the tortellini according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and transfer to a baking sheet to cool slightly. Toss with the olive oil to prevent sticking. Tip: While the tortellini is cooling, prepare vegetables.
Add tortellini, tomatoes, red onion, mozzarella (and any additional add-in’s), and pesto. Give it a gentle toss, then add arugula and basil and toss again. Finish with grated parmesan cheese.
Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

TORTELLINI - look for fresh tortellini in the refrigerated section of your grocery store.

STORAGE - pesto pasta salad can be stored, covered, in the fridge for up to 4 days. Have extra pesto on hand as the tortellini soaks up the pesto sauce.

VEGAN - omit the mozzarella cheese and parmesan. Use a vegan pesto, like Gotham Greens, and vegan tortellini, like Kite Hill.

ADD-INS - more optional ingredients to add could be: sliced salami, sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, kalamata olives or black olives, sliced pepperoncini, drained and rinsed white beans or chickpeas

Nutrition info does not include add-in's.

Nutrition