Name: Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 2 min
Total time: 12 min
Cuisine: Italian

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If you’re searching for a vibrant, crowd-pleasing dish that effortlessly mingles homemade flavor and convenience, look no further than Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad. This easy, colorful salad celebrates all the summery freshness of basil pesto, juicy tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella, tossed with pillowy tortellini for the perfect picnic or potluck centerpiece. Each bite pops with garden-inspired brightness and flavor — making it a guaranteed favorite for lunch, dinner, or gatherings with friends.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this salad brings something special to the table, creating layers of taste, color, and texture you’ll love. Best of all, the ingredient list is blissfully simple, yet feels a touch fancy — no complicated steps, just pure flavor building!

Tortellini: Fresh cheese tortellini gives this pasta salad its hearty, pillowy bite and a melty richness you won’t find in everyday pasta.
Basil pesto: Store-bought or homemade pesto infuses the salad with a fragrant, herbaceous kick and silkiness that binds every ingredient.
Cherry tomatoes: Sliced in half, they bring juicy sweetness and an appealing pop of color.
Fresh mozzarella balls: These little jewels add a creamy mildness and a beautiful visual contrast — drain well for the perfect texture.
Red onion: A little diced onion delivers a subtle crunch and a punch of savory sharpness that brightens up every forkful.

How to Make Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad

Step 1: Boil the Tortellini

Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rollicking boil. You want the water salty like the sea, which seasons the pasta from the inside out and makes those cheesy tortellini taste better. It only takes a minute or two for fresh tortellini to reach that ideal, tender bite — don’t stray too far or overcook them!

Step 2: Cook and Cool

Gently stir in your cheese tortellini. Set a timer for 1 and 1/2 minutes. Keep a close eye because fresh pasta cooks faster than dried. Once they float and feel plump, immediately drain and rinse the tortellini under cold water to halt the cooking process and keep them perfectly al dente.

Step 3: Combine the Salad

Add your cooled, drained tortellini to a big mixing bowl. Now comes the fun part: pour in the basil pesto, then toss in the halved cherry tomatoes, the luscious mozzarella balls, and the diced red onion. Everything should look vibrant and inviting already!

Step 4: Toss Everything Together

Use a big spoon (or your hands, for the ultimate homey touch) to gently but thoroughly toss the salad. Each tortellini should be glossy with pesto, dotted with cheese, tomatoes, and flecks of onion. Give it a little taste and tweak with salt or pepper if needed.

Step 5: Chill, Serve, and Enjoy

You can serve the Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad right away if you prefer it at room temperature, or cover and chill it in the refrigerator to make it extra refreshing — perfect for summer. It holds up wonderfully, so it’s ideal for making ahead before a gathering.

How to Serve Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad

Garnishes

Add a handful of fresh basil leaves for a fragrant punch, a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, and maybe a sprinkling of grated Parmesan or freshly cracked black pepper. These final touches will make your Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad look and taste like it came straight from a gourmet café.

Side Dishes

This pasta salad plays well with all sorts of summer favorites — think grilled chicken, herb-marinated shrimp, or a big leafy green salad. Even just a warm baguette is enough to turn it into a meal. It’s equally at home on a sunny picnic table or a cozy dinner plate.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re hosting, try piling the Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad in a colorful serving bowl or individual glasses for a fun, modern twist. Or tuck a scoop into lettuce leaves for a hand-held appetizer. Mini skewers threaded with tortellini, cheese, and tomato are stunning for party trays!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Scoop leftover salad into an airtight container and keep it chilled in the fridge. The pesto flavor deepens overnight, making tomorrow’s lunch even tastier. It will stay fresh for up to three days, although you may want to stir in a tiny bit more pesto or olive oil before serving to refresh the texture.

Freezing

Freezing isn’t recommended for the Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad. The fresh mozzarella and tomatoes don’t thaw happily, and the tortellini can become mushy. For best results, always enjoy this salad fresh or from the fridge.

Reheating

This salad is best cold or at room temperature, so skip reheating. If you really prefer it slightly warm, you can give it a quick, gentle toss in a nonstick skillet over very low heat, just until barely warmed through — but be careful not to overcook the cheese or pesto.

FAQs

Can I use frozen tortellini instead of fresh?

Absolutely! Just adjust the cooking time according to the package instructions and be extra careful not to overcook. Fresh tortellini gives a slightly more tender bite, but frozen is a great pantry staple for making Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad any time.

What kind of pesto works best?

Classic basil pesto is a natural fit for Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad, but you can get creative — try arugula, kale, or even sun-dried tomato pesto for a twist. Homemade will always provide a fresher, more fragrant taste, but store-bought works in a pinch.

Is there a good dairy-free or vegan swap?

Swap cheese tortellini for vegan or spinach varieties, and use a dairy-free pesto and vegan mozzarella-style cheese. With these changes, you can easily accommodate plant-based friends without sacrificing taste or texture.

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes! In fact, Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad might taste even better if you prep it a few hours ahead or the night before. Add a little extra pesto or olive oil if it seems dry after storing, and give it a good toss before serving.

What vegetables can I add?

Roasted red peppers, baby spinach, artichoke hearts, or grilled zucchini all mix in beautifully with the existing flavors. Feel free to experiment with what’s fresh, seasonal, or leftover in your fridge to put your own spin on this pasta salad.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a guaranteed way to impress at your next gathering, pull out your favorite bowl and make this Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad. It’s the kind of dish that brings smiles and second helpings, effortlessly blending simplicity with incredible flavor. Go ahead and try it — this salad really does steal the show!

Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 10 reviews

Author: Noah
Total Time: 12 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad is a delightful blend of fresh cheese tortellini, basil pesto, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and red onion. It’s a vibrant and flavorful dish that is perfect for any occasion, from picnics to potlucks.

Ingredients

Fresh Cheese Tortellini:

20-24 ounces

Basil Pesto:

1 cup

Cherry Tomatoes (sliced in half):

1 ½ cups

Fresh Mozzarella Balls (drained):

12-16 ounce container

Red Onion (diced):

1/4 cup

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, add the tortellini and cook for 1 and 1/2 minutes. Be careful not to overcook the pasta.
Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water until cool.
Transfer the drained tortellini to a large bowl.
Add the pesto, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and red onion to the bowl.
Toss everything together to combine.
Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to enjoy.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Mixing
Cuisine: Italian