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Home » Salad » Tortellini Pasta Salad

Published: Aug 16, 2021 · Modified: Feb 4, 2023 by Kathy · This post may contain affiliate links

Tortellini Pasta Salad

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A pasta salad with pesto, tomatoes and cheese.

A quick and easy to make delicious tortellini pasta salad with pesto is a perfect salad to bring to a potluck or serve as a side dish.

This pasta salad can be ready in just 15 minutes, making it perfect for last minute guests.

A pasta salad with tortellini and tomatoes in a white bowl.
Table of Contents
Pesto pasta salad
Key ingredients
Step by step directions
Recipe tips
Variations
Recipe Faqs
More delicious pasta dishes
Tortellini Pasta Salad

Pesto pasta salad

Ready made cheese tortellini comes together perfectly with basil pesto, fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes and red onion slices. This tortellini salad is easy to make and is perfect for throwing together at the last minute.

Served chilled or at room temperature, the cheesy tortellini is perfect served as a side dish at barbecues or potluck dinners or as a quick meal for lunch.

My daughter also likes this salad warm. She takes the leftovers and heats it up in the microwave for 1 minute and eats it warm.

Key ingredients

Ingredients for making a pasta salad.

Ingredients

This section reviews the best ingredients and substitutions for this recipe. For an exact list of ingredients and quantities, check the recipe card below.

  • Tortellini - Cheese filled tortellini
  • Basil Pesto - homemade or store bought
  • Fresh mini mozzarella - Also called pearl mozzarella. You can usually find in the deli section
  • Cherry tomatoes - If they're small you can leave whole or you can cut in half
  • Parmesan cheese - Use your favorite parmesan, grated or shredded

Step by step directions

How to make it

In this section I share step by step photos, cooking method, techniques and a general overview. For detailed instructions, temperatures and timing, check the printable recipe card below.

  • Cook tortellini according to package directions
  • Rinse in cool water. Drain well and place in a large bowl
  • Add pesto and stir gently until tortellini is well coated
A bowl with pasta, tomatoes, cheese and onions.
Fresh basil and parmesan on top of a salad.
  • Add mozzarella, tomatoes and onions
  • Stir gently until well distributed
  • Add parmesan and fresh basil
  • Serve right away or cover and refrigerate

Recipe tips

  • Use fresh or frozen cheese filled tortellini
  • Do not overcook tortellini or it will become mushy in the salad
  • If you find red onions too pungent, soak the slices in cold water for 5 minutes before adding to the salad
  • If you've chilled the prepared salad, allow it to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving
Red onion slices in a bowl of water.

Variations

  • Use meat filled tortellini
  • Add chopped cooked chicken, sliced salami or pepperoni or diced ham
  • Add sliced pepperoncinis
  • Slice sweet bell peppers and add to salad

Recipe Faqs

How long does tortellini salad last?

When covered and stored in the refrigerator, this salad will last 2-3 days.

Can I use frozen tortellini to make a pasta salad?

Yes, frozen tortellini can be used! Just cook it still frozen and boil until cooked through.

More delicious pasta dishes

  • Italian pasta salad
  • Chicken baked pasta
  • Stuffed pasta shells
  • Orzo pasta salad
  • Pasta and pea salad
  • Thai pasta salad
A white bowl filled with tortellini, tomatoes and mini mozzarella balls.

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop

Be certain to check out all my salad recipes!

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A pasta salad with tortellini and tomatoes in a white bowl.

Tortellini Pasta Salad

Kathy
Cheese tortellini covered in basil pesto and tossed with mozzarella, tomatoes and onions.
5 from 12 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 5 mins
Total Time 15 mins
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 8 people
Calories 231 kcal

Equipment

  • Measuring Cups
  • Large Mixing Bowl
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound cheese tortellini (1 package)
  • ¼ - ½ cup pesto
  • ¾ cup fresh baby mozzarella balls (cut in half)
  • ¾ cup cherry tomatoes
  • ¼ cup red onion slices
  • 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese (shredded)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh basil leaves (roughly chopped, optional)

Instructions
 

  • Cook tortellini according to package directions. Rinse under cool water and drain well. Place in a large mixing bowl.
    1 pound cheese tortellini
  • Add pesto and toss gently to coat tortellini
    ¼ - ½ cup pesto
  • Add mozzarella, tomatoes and onions. Toss gently.
    ¾ cup fresh baby mozzarella balls, ¼ cup red onion slices, ¾ cup cherry tomatoes
  • Add parmesan and fresh basil
    2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon fresh basil leaves
  • Serve right away or cover and refrigerate

Notes

  • Use fresh or frozen cheese filled tortellini
  • Do not overcook tortellini or it will become mushy in the salad
  • If you find red onions too pungent, soak the slices in cold water for 5 minutes before adding to the salad
  • Start with the ¼ cup of pesto and add more if needed
  • If the salad becomes too dry as it sits, add a bit more pesto. The tortellini does absorb some of the sauce as it sits. 
  • If you've chilled the prepared salad, allow it to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving
Variations
  • Use meat filled tortellini
  • Add chopped cooked chicken, sliced salami or pepperoni or diced ham
  • Add sliced pepperoncinis
  • Slice sweet bell peppers and add to salad

Nutritional Disclaimer:

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition

Calories: 231kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 11gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.01gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 344mgPotassium: 29mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 225IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 132mgIron: 2mg
Keyword tortellini pasta salad, tortellini salad
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dawn says

    August 18, 2021 at 6:06 am

    5 stars
    We love pasta salad and this one looks like a winner! How fun to use tortellini too! This one needs to happen soon. 🙂

    Reply
  2. David @ Spiced says

    August 17, 2021 at 4:36 am

    5 stars
    We just made a similar pesto pasta as a side dish for grilled chicken, and both of us commented that we should make it more often. I love the addition of fresh mozzarella here as well as tortellini instead of bowtie pasta. I'm making this version before the summer is over!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      August 17, 2021 at 5:01 am

      So many options for a great pasta salad!!! Enjoy 🙂

      Reply

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I'm Kathy, a busy working mom who loves to cook from scratch, grow a garden, and raise farm animals. Take a look around and find all my recipes, gardening tips, and country living antics.

More about me →

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