Caprese Tortellini Pasta Salad
This Caprese Tortellini Pasta Salad has all the classic flavors with cheesy tortellini, tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese then topped with a basil vinaigrette dressing. A delicious side dish for any weeknight dinner or cookout.
Easy Caprese Pasta Salad
The best summer recipes are fresh, flavorful dishes that are easy to throw together. That is what I love so much about this Caprese Tortellini Pasta Salad. It is packed with juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella balls, basil, and tender tortellini, then tossed in a sweet and tangy vinegarette dressing. Easy to throw together in 15 minutes and can be made ahead to complement any weeknight meal or cookout.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Flavorful– Tender pasta, cheesy mozzarella, fresh basil, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing.
Make Ahead– Easy to make in advance and enjoy later.
Versatile– Can be served as a side dish or made into a light lunch.
Ingredients
- Cheese Tortellini– Fresh or frozen tortellini work really well for this dish. While I have only tried cheese tortellini, another type of tortellini might taste delicious like spinach or mushroom. You can also substitute with non-filled pasta like penne or rotini.
- Tomatoes– Grape or cherry tomatoes give a nice burst of flavor.
- Mozzarella Cheese– I like to use mozzarella pearls to make it the easiest possible to throw together. You could also cut mozzarella slices into pieces if pears are unavailable.
- Fresh Basil– While fresh basil gives it the ultimate burst of flavor, you could easily substitute it with dried basil in a pinch.
- Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar– This is the base of the dressing. You could substitute with a different vinegar but the taste would be slightly different.
- Lemon Juice– This adds a touch of tartness and enhances the flavor.
- Minced Garlic– While I prefer the boldness of fresh garlic, garlic powder could also be used in this dish. Reduce the amount to 1 teaspoon of garlic powder since it is a bit more concentrated.
- Italian Seasoning: This seasoning gives the best flavor to the dressing. You could substitute with dried oregano and parsley if needed.
- Salt
*See the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page for detailed instructions and a list of ingredients.
How To Make Caprese Tortellini Salad
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process. Place the pasta in a large bowl.
- Assemble the salad: Stir in the sliced tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil.
- Make the dressing: Whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt in a small bowl.
- Toss and serve: Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss to coat everything evenly. Enjoy!
Make Ahead and Storage Options
To make ahead: This salad is such a good side dish to make ahead of time to serve at a later time. I recommend making it the day you will serve the dish for the best results.
To store: Store any leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Helpful Tips
* Caprese Tortellini Salad can be served at room temperature and sit out for up to 2 hours before storing in the refrigerator.
* “When in doubt, throw it out.” If you think the salad sat out too long or got overheated, play it safe and throw it away.
* If made ahead, toss with a little extra olive oil if needed. Pasta noodles tend to absorb liquid.
More Side Dish Recipes
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Caprese Tortellini Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 19 ounces cheese tortellini frozen or refrigerated
- 10 ounces grape or cherry tomatoes sliced in half
- 8 ounces mozzarella pearls
- 1/4 cup fresh basil thinly sliced
Dressing
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a large pot of water, cook tortellini according to the package until al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water, and place in a large bowl.
- Add the tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil.
- In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt.
- Pour dressing over pasta and toss until evenly covered. Serve and enjoy!
I love cheese tortellini and I equally love fresh basil! The combination of the two and just the flavors in this recipe are spot on! Simple, easy, and delicious! It is now a staple in our house.