I love a good pasta salad. It can do so much to round out a meal. And there are never too many at any potluck or barbecue.
I wanted to make something with cheese tortellini. There's something about a pasta that includes cheese than I cannot resist.
So I took one of my favorites, Caprese Pasta Salad, and revised it for cheese tortellini. Because there's no such thing as too much cheese!
Why I love this Salad
This salad has light flavors that will not overwhelm or compete with the rest of your meal. By using cheese tortellini, it becomes much more satisfying than your typical pasta salad. So, if you wanted, it could serve as a main meal. It makes a great lunch!
My favorite part of this salad is the balsamic glaze. I can't resist that sweet and tangy flavor! I use it to garnish, but a little extra added to each serving can really punch up the flavor. 😃
Ingredients
How to make Caprese Tortellini Salad
Pasta salads are so easy! Simply cook the pasta (cheese tortellini) according to the package directions, then drain and cool right away. I like to drain the pasta, then fill the pot with water+ice and pour the pasta back in. It'll only take a couple minutes to cool the pasta this way, and then you can drain it again while you prep the rest of the ingredients.
Cut the grape tomatoes in half, and the fresh basil into thin slices.
Mozzarella balls are sometimes sold in one big vacuum-sealed ball. In this case, you just need to pull them apart. Other times, you'll find them packed in liquid. These will need to be drained before use.
Combine the cooked pasta with the basil, tomatoes and cheese in a bowl.
Would you like to save this recipe?
I'll email this post to you, so you can easily come back to it later!
Then whisk together the dressing ingredients until combined.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well to coat all the ingredients with the dressing.
Drizzle the top of the salad with balsamic glaze and garnish with more basil if desired.
Sula's Tips
Noodles will continue to cook while they are hot. By immersing in ice water, then draining, you will stop the cooking, preventing overcooked noodles. Because nobody wants mushy noodles in their pasta salad!
If you cannot find mozzarella "pearls", simply buy a solid piece of fresh mozzarella and cut it into bite-sized pieces.
Cherry tomatoes can be substituted for the grape tomatoes, if preferred.
More Salads to Love
📖 Recipe
Would you like to save this recipe?
I'll email this post to you, so you can easily come back to it later!
Caprese Tortellini Salad
Ingredients
Pasta Salad
- 10-12 ounces cheese-stuffed tortellini fresh
- 8 ounces mozzarella pearls fresh
- 1 pint grape tomatoes halved
- 2 tablespoons basil thinly sliced (plus more for garnish if desired)
- Balsamic Glaze for drizzling
Dressing
- ¼ cup olive oil extra-virgin
- 1 ½ tablespoon red wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 garlic clove minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package directions. When pasta is done, drain and then immerse in ice water to quickly cool down. Once cool, drain completely.10-12 ounces cheese-stuffed tortellini
- In a medium bowl, combine cooked pasta with tomatoes, cheese, and basil.8 ounces mozzarella pearls, 1 pint grape tomatoes, 2 tablespoons basil
- In a small bowl, whisk all dressing ingredients until combined.¼ cup olive oil, 1 ½ tablespoon red wine vinegar, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 garlic clove, Salt and pepper
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Amy Liu Dong
I love this salad, it is so easy and delicious. I am sure my husband will love this. Yum!
Sula
Enjoy!
Rachna
Tortellini are my favourite. Loved making a satisfying salad with them. Fresh mozzarella and basil just made this salad absolutely delightful.
Sula
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, and thank you for the kind review!
Cynthia
I love that there’s a homemade dressing with this recipe. Just made it today for Fourth of July party this evening. So tasty and husband approved! Yummo!
Sula
Fabulous - happy 4th!
Sarah Walker Caron
Great tip on immersing the cooked tortellini in cold water to stop the cooking! I love caprese anything, and this is genius to turn it into a pasta salad with cheese tortellini!
Sula
I'm with you, I also love Caprese ANYTHING!
Healing Tomato
Caprese with tortellini! What's not to like! I loved this salad so much. Used vegan tortellini with this recipe and it came out so good. This is great weekend lunch salad.
Sula
I agree it makes a great lunch! Thanks for the tip re: vegan tortellini!
Anne
So tasty! I make caprese salad all the time, but I hadn't though to combine it with tortellini until now. They are a perfect combination.
Sula
Right? Caprese anything for me, and this version is just a little more cheesy 😀
Ksenia
It's hard not to love ANYTHING with tortellini, but I wanted a departure from the heavy sauces and to actually eat leftover pasta cold... And this provided just the thing! I used cheese tortellini and the caprese flavors were lovely in combination.
Sula
Yes, I think I might make extra pasta the next time I'm cooking cheese tortellini, just for the chance to make this salad!