If you are looking for a simple pasta salad recipe, this pesto tortellini salad will be a favorite! It is so easy to make and it is the perfect summer salad side dish or you can enjoy it as a meal itself.

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission when you click on the links and make a purchase. I will never recommend a product that I don’t support 100%.

This pesto pasta salad recipe with tortellini is DELICIOUS.

It’s the perfect twist on your normal pasta salad. I love using tortellini instead of regular pasta, why? Because I love tortellini. Simple as that.

It can be a side dish or the main dish. This is a perfect summer pasta salad recipe that can be used as a bbq side dish or it can be your main meal.

It takes under 15 minutes to make. Tortellini only takes a few minutes to cook, so this absolutely takes under 15 minutes to make. Who doesn't love a quick side salad recipe?

Can tortellini be eaten cold?

Absolutely! You do need to cook them first, but once they are cooked, run them under cold water.

Ingredients

Tortellini - I buy ALDI's tortellini, you can find them in the fridge section! You can buy your favorite store-bought tortellini.

Cherry Tomatoes - Summer is tomato season, and I love including them in whatever I can. You can utilize your homegrown cherry tomatoes if you have some in your garden, or store-bought is perfectly ok, too.

Mozzarella Pearls - Yes, this is absolutely like a caprese pasta salad, so you need to add some mozzarella into the mix! I find for ease, I prefer to use mozzarella pearls so you can just plop them in the salad.

Spinach - Just to add a little crunch and just a bit more veggie, I add some chopped spinach to the mix. All I do to "chop" the spinach is pour it into a bowl and cut it with scissors. Easy peasy.

Pesto - I use ALDI's jarred pesto, between that and Trader Joe's vegan pesto, those are the only two jarred pestos I prefer. But, of course, if it is summer and your basil plant is thriving, don't be afraid to make homemade pesto!

Fresh Basil - I like to garnish with a little extra fresh basil, especially if I am using jarred pesto.

How to make this pesto tortellini salad with tomatoes

This salad couldn't be any easier to make!

1. Fill a pot with about 4 quarts of water for every 9 oz. of tortellini you are making. Salt your water and bring it to a boil.
2. While your water is heating up, slice 1 cup of tomatoes, chop 2 handfuls of spinach, and set all your ingredients aside. You want to make an assembly line for yourself once the tortellini is done cooking.
3. Your water should be boiling by now, so place your tortellini in the boiling water and cook for 2-3 minutes.
4. Drain your tortellini and run cold water over them. This will allow you to assemble the cold tortellini salad right away.
5. In a bowl combine all your ingredients and mix until your pesto is evenly coated.

How long can you keep tortellini salad?

I would recommend keeping it for 3-5 days in the fridge in an airtight container after you make it.

Here are some helpful Amazon home finds you may want for these recipes

Pin it for later!

Want some more summer pasta recipes?

• Sweet Corn and Burrata Ravioli Recipe
• Easy Pesto Gnocchi Recipe
• 15-Minute Lo Mein
• Lemon Chicken Orecchiette Pasta

Easy Pesto Tortellini Recipe

If you are looking for a simple pasta salad recipe, this pesto tortellini salad will be a favorite! It is so easy to make and it is the perfect summer salad side dish or you can enjoy it as a meal itself.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

  

• 1 9 oz. package tortellini
• 1 cup grape tomatoes halved
• 1 8 oz. package of mozzarella pearls
• 2 handfuls raw spinach chopped
• 1 6.7 oz. jar of pesto

Instructions

 

• Fill a pot with about 4 quarts of water for every 9 oz. of tortellini you are making. Salt your water and bring it to a boil.
• While your water is heating up, slice 1 cup of tomatoes, chop 2 handfuls of spinach, and set all your ingredients aside. You want to make an assembly line for yourself once the tortellini is done cooking.
• Your water should be boiling by now, so place your tortellini in the boiling water and cook for 2-3 minutes.
• Drain your tortellini and run cold water over them. This will allow you to assemble the cold tortellini salad right away.
• In a bowl combine all your ingredients and mix until your pesto is evenly coated.