Description
This Pesto Tortellini Salad with Cherry Tomatoes is a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines the comfort of cheese tortellini with the freshness of cherry tomatoes and aromatic pesto.
Ingredients
- Fresh cheese tortellini
- Basil pesto
- Cherry tomatoes
- Fresh mozzarella
- Red onion
- Parmesan cheese
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Olive oil
Instructions
- First, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add your fresh tortellini and cook according to package directions, typically 2-4 minutes, until they are al dente. Once cooked, drain the tortellini thoroughly and immediately rinse them under cold water.
- While the tortellini cools, wash and halve your cherry tomatoes. If you’re using fresh mozzarella balls, halve those as well. Finely dice your red onion.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled tortellini, halved cherry tomatoes, halved fresh mozzarella, and diced red onion. Now, add your pesto, starting with about 1/2 cup and adding more as needed, stirring gently until all the ingredients are evenly coated.
- Taste the salad and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your liking. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Before serving, give the salad another quick stir. You might find it needs a tiny drizzle more olive oil or a touch more pesto if it looks a little dry after chilling. Garnish with a fresh sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and perhaps a few basil leaves.
Notes
- This salad is great for potlucks.
- Feel free to add other vegetables.
- Use gluten-free tortellini for a gluten-free option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling and Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keywords: Pesto Tortellini Salad, Cherry Tomatoes, Italian Salad