Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad

$- 12 oz cheese tortellini - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1 cup spinach, roughly chopped - 1/2 cup olives, sliced (green or black) - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped - 1/2 cup pesto sauce - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 2 tablespoons olive oil - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh basil leaves for garnish The cheese tortellini serves as the star of this dish. It brings a rich, cheesy flavor and a delightful texture. Cherry tomatoes add a sweet burst. Their bright color makes the salad pop. Spinach gives a fresh crunch and a vibrant green hue. Olives add a briny taste. They balance the flavors well. Red onion brings a sharp bite that complements the other ingredients. Pesto sauce ties everything together. It gives the salad a herby, nutty flavor. Olive oil adds richness and helps blend the ingredients. Finally, Parmesan cheese adds a savory finish. If you can’t find cheese tortellini, try using plain pasta. Bowtie or penne work well. For a lighter touch, use zucchini noodles instead. Instead of cherry tomatoes, diced bell peppers add a nice crunch. Swap spinach for arugula or kale for a different flavor. If you dislike olives, try artichoke hearts or capers. For a nut-free option, use a dairy-free pesto or make your own. If you want a creamier salad, mix in some cream cheese or Greek yogurt. {{ingredient_image_1}} Start by boiling water in a large pot. Make sure to add a good pinch of salt. Once the water boils, add 12 oz of cheese tortellini. Cook it according to the package, usually 3-5 minutes. You want the tortellini to be al dente. After cooking, drain the tortellini and rinse it under cold water. This cools it down and stops the cooking. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled tortellini with other fresh ingredients. Add 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes, 1 cup of roughly chopped spinach, and 1/2 cup of sliced olives. You can use green or black olives based on your taste. Finally, add 1/4 cup of finely chopped red onion. Gently mix everything together to ensure even distribution. For the dressing, grab a small bowl. Whisk together 1/2 cup of pesto sauce and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. The oil makes the dressing smooth and rich. Once mixed, pour the pesto dressing over your salad. Gently toss it to coat all the ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Top with 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Let the salad sit for 15-20 minutes. This allows the flavors to blend and become even tastier. Before serving, add fresh basil leaves for a lovely touch. To cook cheese tortellini perfectly, use a large pot. Bring salted water to a boil. Add the tortellini and watch them closely. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes until they are al dente. Drain the tortellini and rinse them under cold water. This stops the cooking and keeps the pasta firm. To boost flavor, use fresh ingredients. Fresh cherry tomatoes and spinach make a big difference. Olives add a nice salty kick. Red onion gives a sweet crunch. When mixing in the pesto sauce, blend it well with olive oil. This helps coat every piece of tortellini. Taste the salad before serving. Adjust salt and pepper to your liking. A sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese adds a rich finish. Lastly, don’t forget fresh basil leaves for a pop of flavor. Serve the pesto tortellini salad cold or at room temperature. It makes a great side dish for grilled meats or fish. You can also serve it as a light main course. If you want to impress guests, add a simple green salad on the side. This dish is perfect for picnics or potlucks. For extra fun, serve it in a large bowl with a ladle. This way, everyone can help themselves! Pro Tips Perfectly Cook Tortellini: Ensure you cook the tortellini until al dente for the best texture. Overcooking can make them mushy. Customize Your Greens: Feel free to substitute spinach with arugula or kale for a different flavor profile and added nutrients. Add Protein: For a heartier salad, consider adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas to make it a complete meal. Make It Ahead: This salad can be made a day in advance. Just add the fresh basil right before serving to keep it vibrant. {{image_2}} You can add many vegetables to your pesto tortellini pasta salad. Try bell peppers for some crunch. Zucchini adds a nice, fresh flavor. Carrots bring a bit of sweetness. You can even toss in some peas for a pop of color. Just remember to chop them small, so they mix well with the tortellini. Want to make your salad heartier? Consider adding protein. Grilled chicken works great with the pesto. Shrimp can add a nice touch too. For a vegetarian option, try chickpeas or white beans. These will give you a boost of energy. Just mix them in after you combine the veggies and tortellini. If you want to change the flavor, try different sauces. You can use sun-dried tomato pesto for a tangy twist. A spinach or arugula pesto can add a fresh taste. You can even make a creamy version with Greek yogurt. Just blend the yogurt with herbs to create a smooth sauce. Each option gives your salad a new flair. After enjoying your pesto tortellini pasta salad, store any leftovers in an airtight container. Make sure to cool the salad to room temperature first. This keeps the flavors fresh and prevents sogginess. Refrigerate the container for up to three days. If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing it. However, the texture may change after thawing. To reheat the salad, take it out of the fridge. You can eat it cold or warm it up. If you prefer warm pasta salad, place it on the stove over low heat. Stir gently until warm. Avoid high heat; it may dry out the ingredients. If you freeze the salad, thaw it in the fridge before reheating. Pesto tortellini pasta salad is best eaten fresh but lasts well in the fridge. Keep an eye on the ingredients, especially the spinach and tomatoes. If they start to look wilted or slimy, it’s time to toss the salad. Always check for any off smells or changes in texture before eating. Yes, you can make this salad ahead of time. It tastes even better after sitting. The flavors mix well when you let it chill. I recommend making it a few hours before serving. Just keep it in the fridge until you are ready to eat. You can easily customize this salad to fit your taste. Add different veggies like bell peppers or cucumbers. Try using different cheeses, like feta or mozzarella. If you like more protein, add grilled chicken or chickpeas. The options are endless! Absolutely! This salad is great for meal prep. It keeps well in the fridge for a few days. Just store it in airtight containers. Portion it out for easy lunches or dinners. You can enjoy it cold or at room temperature. This blog post covered all you need for a great Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad. We explored the ingredients, step-by-step cooking methods, and useful tips to enhance flavor. You learned about variations, storage tips, and answers to common questions. Enjoy making this dish your own with different veggies or proteins. Remember, this salad is not just easy to prepare but also fun to customize. Whether for a quick lunch or a meal prep staple, it offers fresh flavors and fills you up. Enjoy!$

Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad

A refreshing pasta salad with cheese tortellini, cherry tomatoes, spinach, and a flavorful pesto dressing.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 5

Total Time 30

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4

Ingredients

12 oz cheese tortellini
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup spinach, roughly chopped
0.5 cup olives, sliced (green or black)
0.25 cup red onion, finely chopped
0.5 cup pesto sauce
0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
to taste salt and pepper
for garnish fresh basil leaves

Instructions

In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and add the cheese tortellini. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 3-5 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled tortellini, cherry tomatoes, spinach, olives, and red onion.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the pesto sauce and olive oil until smooth.
Pour the pesto mixture over the pasta salad and gently toss to combine everything evenly.
Season with salt and pepper to taste and sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Let the salad sit for about 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Before serving, garnish the salad with fresh basil leaves for an extra burst of flavor.

Notes

Let the salad sit for a while to enhance the flavors.

Keyword pasta salad, pesto, tortellini, vegetarian