If you’re craving a dish that’s just as perfect for summer picnics as it is for quick weeknight dinners, look no further than this Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad. Plump cheese tortellini, vibrant cherry tomatoes, creamy marinated mozzarella balls, and a generous coating of aromatic pesto create a salad that’s truly bursting with flavor, color, and comfort. Every bite is a celebration of fresh, simple ingredients that come together in minutes, yet taste like you’ve spent hours in the kitchen. It’s genuinely a crowd-pleaser that you’ll turn to again and again!

Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the best things about this Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad is the short, superstar ingredient list. Each component is crucial, bringing its own flair – from tangy tomatoes to creamy mozzarella and herby pesto – guaranteeing a salad that’s colorful, fresh, and utterly delicious.

Cheese tortellini: The heart of the dish! These tender pasta pillows add satisfying texture and flavor in every forkful.
Pesto (store-bought or homemade): Herbaceous and savory, pesto is the star that ties all the ingredients together with its punchy, garlicky charm.
Cherry tomatoes, halved: Bursting with juicy sweetness, they add juiciness and a pop of vibrant red to every serving.
Marinated mozzarella balls, drained: Creamy, tangy, and perfectly bite-sized, they add richness and little pockets of flavor throughout the salad.
Red onion, finely diced: A bit of crunch and sharpness that wakes up the palate and cuts through the creamy elements.

How to Make Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad

Step 1: Cook the Tortellini

Start your salad strong by bringing a large pot of well-salted water to a rolling boil. Add the cheese tortellini, then set your timer! Fresh or refrigerated tortellini usually cook in about a minute and a half, so keep an eye on them. The goal is perfect, pillowy pasta that holds up in the salad. Overcooking can turn them mushy, so sample a piece early just to be sure.

Step 2: Cool the Tortellini

Once your tortellini are perfectly cooked, transfer them immediately to a colander and rinse under cold water. This stops the cooking process in its tracks and quickly cools the pasta, ensuring the salad stays fresh and enjoyable, not sticky or overcooked. A quick shake removes excess water so your tortellini don’t dilute the pesto.

Step 3: Combine the Ingredients

Now for the fun part! In a large serving bowl, add your cooled tortellini. Top them with the vibrant, fragrant pesto, the juicy halved cherry tomatoes, the creamy, marinated mozzarella balls, and the crisp red onion. Each ingredient brings its own flavor and texture, creating layers of deliciousness in every bite.

Step 4: Toss and Serve

Using a large spoon or salad tongs, gently toss the salad until every piece is evenly coated in pesto and all the ingredients are distributed throughout. Don’t be shy—you want every last nook and cranny covered in that bright green pesto. Serve immediately for peak freshness, or cover and refrigerate to keep it cold and crisp for later. Either way, the Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad is ready to shine!

How to Serve Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad

Garnishes

Top your Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad with a shower of grated Parmesan, a few fresh basil leaves, or a zesty twist of cracked black pepper. These finishing touches bring out the herbaceous flavors of the pesto and make your salad look irresistible on the table.

Side Dishes

Pair this pasta salad with crusty garlic bread, a crisp green salad, or grilled chicken for a complete meal. Its versatility means it can play a starring role all on its own or complement just about anything you’re craving.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve your Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad in a large, colorful bowl for casual gatherings, or divide it into mason jars for a playful picnic or lunchbox surprise. For special occasions, layer it elegantly on a platter and garnish with extra herbs and edible flowers!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To save leftovers, transfer your Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. The flavors become even more vibrant as they mingle, making it ideal for meal prep or next-day lunches.

Freezing

While many pasta salads freeze well, this one is best enjoyed fresh or from the fridge. Freezing can change the texture of the tortellini and the creaminess of the mozzarella balls, so for optimal taste, stick with refrigerated storage.

Reheating

This dish is meant to be enjoyed cold or at room temperature. If you prefer it slightly warmer, let it sit out for a bit before serving or warm very briefly in the microwave (just enough to take off the chill, not to melt the cheese or separate the pesto).

FAQs

Can I use a different type of tortellini in this salad?

Absolutely! While cheese tortellini is a classic choice, feel free to use spinach, mushroom, or even chicken-filled tortellini for a fun twist on the Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad.

What’s the best pesto to use?

Both homemade and store-bought pesto work beautifully in this recipe. Choose a pesto with a flavor profile you love—the fresher the basil, the brighter the end result for your Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad.

Is it okay to add extra vegetables?

Definitely! Roasted bell peppers, artichoke hearts, olives, or even baby spinach make delicious additions. The beauty of Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad is how easily it welcomes what you have on hand.

How can I make this salad dairy-free?

Try swapping the cheese tortellini for a vegan alternative and use dairy-free pesto and mozzarella-style cheese balls. The flavors will still pop and you’ll have a gorgeous, plant-based version of Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad.

Can I make Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad ahead of time?

Yes! In fact, the flavors improve as they marinate together in the fridge, making it an excellent choice for prepping in advance. Just give it a gentle toss and a fresh drizzle of pesto before serving if you want to revive that just-made vibrancy.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing like a bowl of Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad to bring a little happiness to your table. Whether you’re hosting loved ones or simply treating yourself, this recipe promises big flavors and a whole lot of joy with very little fuss. I hope you give it a try soon—it’s bound to become a staple you’ll crave all year long!

Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 14 reviews

Author: Mariam
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

This Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad is a delightful dish that combines cheese tortellini with a vibrant pesto dressing, cherry tomatoes, marinated mozzarella balls, and red onion for a flavorful and satisfying meal or side dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese Tortellini:

1 (20-ounce) bag cheese tortellini

Pesto:

1 cup pesto (store-bought or homemade)

Cherry Tomatoes:

1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved

Marinated Mozzarella Balls:

1 (12-ounce) container marinated mozzarella balls, drained

Red Onion:

¼ cup red onion, finely diced

Instructions

Cook the Tortellini
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cheese tortellini and cook for 1 ½ minutes. Be careful not to overcook to maintain the perfect texture.
Cool the Tortellini
Drain the tortellini and rinse under cold water until completely cooled. This stops the cooking process and keeps the pasta firm.
Combine the Ingredients
Transfer the cooled tortellini to a large serving bowl. Add the pesto, halved cherry tomatoes, drained mozzarella balls, and diced red onion.
Toss and Serve
Toss the salad gently but thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated with the pesto.
Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Mixing, Tossing
Cuisine: Italian