Description
This simple tortellini pesto salad is a quick prep pasta salad that starts with an amazing basil pesto and is tossed with cheese tortellini, veggies, sun-dried tomatoes and more cheese! It comes together in less than 30 minutes and is simple to vary and customize.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups fresh basil, packed, stems removed
- 1–2 garlic cloves, whole or minced
- 2 Tbsp pine nuts or walnuts, toasted
- juice of one lemon
- 1/2 to 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 20 oz. cheese tortellini
- 2–3 handfuls baby spinach, chopped
- 10 oz grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
- 8 oz. mozzarella pearls
- 1/2 to 2/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Step: Cook the tortellini according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to keep it from cooking any longer. Set aside.
- Step: Combine pesto ingredients in a food processor starting with 1/2 cup of olive oil. Process until smooth, adding the remaining olive oil to reach a pourable consistency.
- Step: Toss the cooked tortellini with about 3/4 of the prepared pesto until well coated. Add extra olive oil if the mixture is too thick.
- Step: Add the baby spinach, grape tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, and sun-dried tomatoes to the tortellini and toss well.
- Step: Add remaining pesto as desired. Chill until ready to serve and garnish with fresh chopped basil.
Notes
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Toast pine nuts for 1-2 minutes for best flavor. To make nut-free, substitute with toasted pepitas. If prepping in advance, reserve 1/4 of the pesto to add just before serving to keep flavors fresh.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Category: Pasta Salad
- Method: Boiling/Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 351 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 552 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg