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    Posted In: Main Entrees, Salads, Sides
    August 24, 2022 — by Julie — Leave a Comment

    Home » Delish » Main Entrees » Pesto Tortellini Salad

    Pesto Tortellini Salad

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    This pesto tortellini salad is packed with flavor and super easy to make. Made with just 4 ingredients in under 20 minutes!

    pesto tortellini salad in a bowl with a spoon.

    The best part about this pasta salad is that you can enjoy it cold, hot, or at room temperature. It goes great with grilled chicken thighs, BBQ grilled shrimp, or chicken Milanese. You can also add store-bought rotisserie chicken to the salad and serve it as a main course on a busy weeknight.

    Ingredient Notes

    • Pesto – You can use homemade or store-bought pesto. If using store-bought, make sure it’s good quality.
    • Tortellini – I highly recommend using fresh tortellini that can be found in the refrigerated section at your supermarket.
    • Tomatoes – Grape or cherry tomatoes work best for this recipe.
    • Mozzarella Balls – If you can’t find fresh mozzarella balls, buy regular fresh mozzarella and slice it into bite-sized pieces.
    labeled and measured ingredients.

    Top Tips For The Ultimate Tortellini Salad

    • Don’t overcook the tortellini otherwise, it will fall apart and become mushy.
    • If you want some crunch, add some crispy bacon, pine nuts, or chopped walnuts.
    • Make sure to season the tomatoes with Kosher salt before adding it to the salad.
    • If you don’t have fresh mozzarella on hand, feel free to add some goat cheese or the cheese of your choice.
    • Feel free to add as many veggies and herbs as you’d like! This tortellini salad should be adjusted to your liking.
    tomatoes, mozzarella balls, pesto, and tortellini in a glass bowl.

    Can I Still Make This Without Pesto?

    If you don’t have pesto on hand I recommend substituting it with Italian dressing.

    pesto tortellini salad in a glass bowl with a wooden spoon.

    Storage

    I like to make this salad in a large bowl with a tight lid so that if there are any leftovers, it’s easy to store. This salad will last 2-3 days in the refrigerator.

    More Recipes You Might Enjoy

    • Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad
    • Cucumber Avocado Tomato Salad
    • Greek Pasta Salad
    • One Pot Tortellini

    Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. And consider following me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

    pesto tortellini salad in a bowl with a spoon.

    Pesto Tortellini Salad

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    Course: Entree, Side Dish
    Cuisine: Italian American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 2 minutes
    Total Time: 7 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Author: Julie Maestre
    This pesto tortellini salad is packed with flavor and super easy to make. Made with just 4 ingredients in under 20 minutes!

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb cooked tortellini fresh or frozen
    • 1 cup pesto
    • 1 cup grape tomatoes halved and seasoned
    • 1 cup fresh mozzarella balls drained

    Instructions

    • Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season with a generous amount of kosher salt.
    • Cook the tortellini pasta for 2 minutes, drain and rinse with cold water.
    • Slice the tomatoes in half and season with Kosher salt.
    • Add all of the ingredients to a large bowl and mix until well combined. Check for seasoning and enjoy!
    Tried this recipe?Mention @cookedbyjulie or tag #cookedbyjulie!

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    Filed Under: Main Entrees, Salads, Sides

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    Hi, I'm Julie! I’m extremely fortunate to make a living doing what I truly love – creating and sharing my favorite “can’t live without” recipes with readers from all over the world.

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