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Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad – A Summer Side Dish

July 12, 2021 by Ashley 5 Comments

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

A perfect combination of cheese tortellini, mozzarella & fresh vegetables tossed in a basil pesto. This pasta salad is best when made ahead of time, making it the perfect dish to bring to all of your summer barbeques!

pesto tortellini pasta salad in white serving bowl with parsley in the background. There is also a wooden cutting board with sliced red onion and a chefs knife in the background

Turn up the volume on classic pasta salad with a Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad. This dish comes together incredibly easily, using fresh summer ingredients. Pasta salad is best when it has a chance to chill in the refrigerator, so I recommend making this dish the day before if possible!

salad in white serving bowl with parsley in the background. There is also a wooden cutting board with sliced red onion and a chefs knife in the background

What You Need To Make Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad

The ingredient list for this recipe is a pretty short one, and some of the ingredients can be swapped for items you already have on hand, making it the perfect summer side dish!

  • Cheese Tortellini
  • Spinach
  • Pesto
  • Red Onion
  • Artichoke Hearts
  • Mozzarella (Ciliegine is the best size for this recipe)
  • Cherry Tomatoes
ingredients, measured out: spinach, tortellini, tomatoes, artichokes, mozzarella, red onion & pesto

How to Make Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad

Outside of boiling the tortellini, all of the prepped ingredients are tossed together in a large bowl. Once the vegetables are prepped, this recipe comes together incredibly quickly.

spinach, tortellini and pesto in mixing bowl
spinach, tortellini and pesto in mixing bowl, topped with artichokes, red onion, mozzarella and tomatoes, unmixed
  1. Begin by cooking and draining one package of refrigerated cheese (or other flavor) tortellini.
  2. Add spinach to mixing bowl then immediately top with hot tortellini. The heat from the tortellini will slightly wilt the spinach, making it easier to mix together. I also recommend assembling the pasta salad when the tortellini is still warm because the pesto will better absorb into the tortellini. Add pesto and gently stir the ingredients together.
  3. Next, add the remaining ingredients and give it all a good mix, until everything is well combined.
  4. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, but up to overnight, before serving.
pasta salad in mixing bowl. All ingredients mixed together.

Questions About the Recipe

If I don’t have time to let the pasta salad chill in the refrigerator, will it still be good?

Absolutely! This pasta salad can be eaten right away and will still be delicious. It will just have more flavor if it has a chance to chill in the refrigerator.

Can I use a different flavor of tortellini?

I love to use cheese tortellini for this recipe, but spinach (or any other flavor) would also be just as delicious!

Check out more Salad recipes, here!

pesto tortellini pasta salad in white serving bowl with parsley in the background. There is also a wooden cutting board with sliced red onion and a chefs knife in the background

Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad

A perfect combination of cheese tortellini, mozzarella & fresh vegetables tossed in a basil pesto. This pasta salad is best when made ahead of time, making it the perfect dish to bring to all of your summer barbeques!
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: easy lunch, lunch, lunch recipes, pasta, pasta salad, pesto, pesto pasta salad, summer lunch
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 427kcal
Author: Ashley Pelaez Walker

Ingredients

  • 9 oz Cheese Tortellini
  • 3 oz Spinach
  • 1 cup Pesto
  • ½ Red Onion thinly sliced
  • 1 14oz can Artichoke Hearts drained, rinsed & quartered
  • 8 oz Ciliegine Mozzarella
  • 1 pt Cherry Tomatoes sliced in half

Instructions

  • Begin by bringing a large pot of water to a boil and cook tortellini according to package.
  • Once tortellini finishes cooking, drain and begin assembling the salad while the tortellini is still warm.
  • In a large bowl, combine spinach, tortellini and pesto. Stir to begin incorporating then add red onion, artichoke hearts, mozzarella and cherry tomatoes.
  • Stir to combine all ingredients then cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, up to overnight, before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 427kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 829mg | Potassium: 293mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 2804IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 342mg | Iron: 2mg
« Roasted Parmesan Asparagus
Quick Pickled Onions »

Filed Under: Breakfast + Brunch, Entertaining, Mains, Recipes, Side Dishes, Vegetarian + Vegan Dishes Tagged With: cheese, pasta salad, pesto, pesto pasta, pesto pasta salad, salad, salad recipe, spring, summer, summer recipe, summer salad

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jenn

    August 8, 2021 at 11:45 pm

    5 stars
    This is so delicious and easy to make. I think it will be my go-to for potlucks and picnics from now on!

    Reply
    • Ashley

      August 12, 2021 at 7:15 pm

      I’m so glad to hear! It’s the perfect dish to bring to potlucks & picnics!

      Reply
  2. Maureen

    September 16, 2021 at 4:39 pm

    This looks amazing! Looking forward to trying it!

    Reply
    • Ashley

      October 20, 2021 at 9:07 pm

      Thank you! I hope you enjoy!!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Italian Chopped Salad with Parmesan Vinaigrette - Millennial Kitchen says:
    June 20, 2022 at 3:55 am

    […] more salad recipes, check out my Easy Steak Salad, Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad, or Harvest Chopped […]

    Reply

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Welcome!

Hi, I’m Ashley!

I am the Recipe Developer & Food Photographer behind Millennial Kitchen. I have always had a love for cooking & grew up watching endless hours of the Food Network. This love, paired with my teaching background, gives me the tools to help others gain the confidence they need to feel like a pro in the kitchen! My recipes are simple, but delicious & very approachable for people of any skill level!

 

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