This pesto tortellini salad is full of fresh flavor, is made using simple ingredients, and takes just fifteen minutes to make!
Whether you are looking for a flavor-packed recipe to bring to a summer cookout, the pool or beach, or just an easy side dish, this recipe is for you!
It is a beginner-level recipe that is perfect for anyone to toss together in just 15 minutes.
Try my Vegan Macaroni Salad and my Spicy Cashew Pasta Salad next!
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Reasons You'll Love This Recipe
- Vegan: This recipe doesn't use any dairy, meat, or other animal products making it dairy-free, vegan, vegetarian, and plant-based.
- Easy to Make: It takes just fifteen minutes and simple ingredients to make this pasta salad.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Like many other pasta salad recipes, this one is great to make in advance. You can meal prep with it or make it the day before your next event or trip to the beach.
Ingredient Notes
Tortellini: I used a plant-based tortellini with dairy-free cheese in this recipe but feel free to use any tortellini that you have or enjoy best.
Pesto: You can use either a homemade pesto or a store-bought pesto. I used my Creamy Pesto Sauce for this recipe!
Basil: Opt for fresh basil in this recipe for the best and freshest flavors.
Vegetables: This recipe calls for a combination of fresh tomatoes and jarred sun dried tomatoes.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients & quantities.
Substitutions & Additions
Make it spicy: I love adding 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper into this dish to spice things up a little.
Add protein: You can add any protein that you like best into this recipe. Some options might be tofu, chickpeas, white beans, or nuts.
Add mozzarella: You can toss a plant-based mozzarella into your pesto tortellini if you prefer.
Incorporate greens: You can add extra herbs or fresh salad greens such as arugula or baby spinach.
Step by Step Instructions
It's so easy to make this tortellini pasta salad with pesto! These steps below will guide you in the cooking process:
Step 1: Cook the tortellini according to package instructions. After it has finished cooking strain the tortellini and rinse it under cold water to cool the pasta.
Step 2: If you are making homemade pesto, do that while the tortellini cooks. I personally love using my Creamy Pesto Sauce and also enjoy this Fresh Basil Pesto recipe.
You can also use a pre-made or store-bought pesto to save time.
Step 3: Prep all other ingredients. Wash the tomatoes and basil and cut them up according to preference.
Assemble all ingredients in a large serving bowl.
Step 4: Gently toss everything together while remaining mindful of the delicate tortellini, you don't want to break them up or damage them.
Toss until everything is coated in pesto and enjoy!
Expert Tips
Make homemade pesto: I love using store-bought pesto for the ease and convenience of cooking but making homemade pesto is a total game changer. It will give you incredible flavor and allows you to adjust for flavor and texture preferences.
Use fresh ingredients: This is true for most recipes but extra important for recipes that use fresh vegetables and herbs. Using fresh tomatoes and basil will really help your flavors come to life in this recipe.
Make it one day in advance: This will allow for the flavors to meld and will result in a more flavorful dish.
Serving Recommendations
This tortellini salad with pesto is the perfect recipe to enjoy on a number of occasions. Some of my top recommendations are:
- Summer cookout barbecues
- Beach outing
- Picnics
- Summer parties and get togethers
- Meal prepping
- School and work lunches
- Easy make-ahead side dishes
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe makes a great side dish, especially for summer style cookouts and barbecues! It is served well with anything on the grill, sandwiches, other summer salads, dips, and spreads.
Wait until the tortellini is at room temperature then transfer it to a closed container. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to three days.
More Pasta Salad Recipes You'll Love
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Pesto Tortellini Salad
Ingredients
- 1 package tortellini 20 oz
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ½ cup fresh basil chopped
- ½ cup sun dried tomatoes
- ¼ cup pesto
Instructions
- Start by boiling a large pot of water. Once it has reached a boil cook the tortellini according to package instructions. It typically takes about 5 minutes to cook the tortellini.
- After the tortellini is cooked strain it and rinse it under cool water to bring down the temperature.
- Prep the other ingredients according to the ingredient list.
- Combine all ingredients in a large serving bowl and top with the pesto. Gently toss everything together until well coated in the pesto. Add more pesto if desired according to personal preference.
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