Pesto Tortellini Salad Recipe
This vibrant and fresh Pesto Tortellini Salad is a quick and delicious dish perfect for a light lunch or a picnic. Featuring tender tortellini combined with cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, sun-dried tomatoes, and tossed in a flavorful pesto sauce, this salad is bursting with Italian-inspired flavors and requires only 15 minutes to prepare.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 1 package tortellini (20 oz)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup fresh basil, chopped
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes
Dressing
- ¼ cup pesto
Instructions
- Cook the Tortellini: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the tortellini and cook according to the package instructions, usually about 5 minutes, until tender but firm.
- Drain and Cool: Once cooked, strain the tortellini and rinse under cool water to stop the cooking process and bring the temperature down for the salad.
- Prep Other Ingredients: While the pasta cooks, halve the cherry tomatoes, chop the fresh basil, and prepare the sun-dried tomatoes if needed.
- Combine and Toss: In a large serving bowl, add the cooled tortellini, cherry tomatoes, basil, and sun-dried tomatoes. Drizzle with the pesto and gently toss until everything is evenly coated. Add more pesto if desired to taste.
Notes
- Use refrigerated or shelf-stable pesto according to your preference.
- For a creamier salad, add a tablespoon of mayonnaise or Greek yogurt to the pesto before mixing.
- Sun-dried tomatoes can be packed in oil or dry; if dry, consider rehydrating them briefly in warm water.
- This salad can be served immediately or chilled for an hour to meld the flavors.
- To make it vegetarian, ensure the tortellini filling and pesto do not contain meat or animal rennet.
Find it online: https://bitezly.com/pesto-tortellini-salad-recipe/
