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    Home » Side Dishes

    Pesto Tortellini Salad

    Lindsay Moe

    309 shares
    Pesto Tortellini Salad - This is my favorite pasta salad! It's the perfect vegetarian dish to bring to summer picnics and potlucks. Full recipe at theliveinkitchen.com

    This Pesto Tortellini Salad is perfect for summer picnics or potlucks!

    Pesto Tortellini Salad in a bowl next to basil and cherry tomatoes
    Jump to Recipe

    This post originally appeared in 2012. I have updated it with new photos and made a few improvements to the recipe after additional years of testing.  Jump to Recipe 

    Is there anything more satisfying than a freebie?

    Samples in the mail. Punch cards at your favorite buffet. A crumbled up cookie on the counter of a bakery.

    Pesto in a small bowl

    The only thing that is disappointing is that rarely do you get a full sized freebie. Its a good thing full sized brownies aren’t free. I’d be in trouble.

    Pesto Tortellini Salad in a bowl

    This pesto tortellini salad is another gem from my deli days. As a poor, newlywed college student I could pack a sample tasting cup with this salad and not have to pay for my “lunch.” Not only would my hunger for food be satisfied, but so would my hunger for the almighty freebie. I got to eat crumbled sample cookies off the counter too. It was a great job.

    Pesto Tortellini Salad in a bowl with a fork holding up one tortellini

    How to make pesto tortellini salad

    • Cook tortellini
    • Toss with pesto, tomatoes, roasted red pepper, basil, and parmesan
    • Chill until ready to serve!

    If you’re one that can appreciate raw onion, you could add a handful of thinly sliced red onion to the mix. This makes a nice cold pasta salad for a hot summer day barbecue, but can also be served hot if you’re looking for something a little more comforting.

    This size makes enough for a crowd, perfect for a party. If you don’t want quite as much, it’s easy to cut the recipe in half.

    I recommend making this for a friend and bringing some freebie joy into their day.

    Pesto Tortellini Salad in a bowl

    If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!

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    Pesto Tortellini Salad - This is my favorite pasta salad! It's the perfect vegetarian dish to bring to summer picnics and potlucks. Full recipe at theliveinkitchen.com

    Pesto Tortellini Salad

    This simple salad is coated in bright pesto, which makes it perfect for hot summer potlucks!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved!
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 367kcal
    Author: Lindsay Moe

    Ingredients

    • 20 ounces cheese tortellini
    • 1 cup chopped roasted red pepper,, if jarred in oil, drained and patted dry
    • 2 cups grape tomatoes,, halved
    • ¾ cup shaved Parmesan
    • 7 ounces basil pesto
    • ½ cup loosely packed basil,, torn

    Instructions

    • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the tortellini according to package directions.
    • Drain and rinse with cold water until cooled. Transfer the pasta to a large bowl.
    • Add the remaining ingredients and stir until thoroughly combined. Serve cold.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 367kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 924mg | Potassium: 129mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1060IU | Vitamin C: 13.5mg | Calcium: 258mg | Iron: 2.3mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @theliveinkitchen or tag #theliveinkitchen!
    Pesto Tortellini Salad - This is my favorite pasta salad! It's the perfect vegetarian dish to bring to summer picnics and potlucks. Full recipe at theliveinkitchen.com

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    Reader Interactions

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    1. Lane & Holly @ With Two Spoons says

      May 01, 2017 at 9:14 am

      I could eat pesto on everything!

      Reply
    2. Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says

      May 01, 2017 at 1:54 pm

      Tortellini salads are always a hit at our house! I need to add this to our menu soon!

      Reply
    3. Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says

      May 01, 2017 at 9:27 pm

      Pesto is my favorite pasta sauce…your tortellini salad sounds fab!

      Reply
      • Lindsay Moe says

        May 02, 2017 at 1:39 pm

        Thanks Cynthia!

        Reply
    4. Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness says

      May 03, 2017 at 8:46 pm

      This salad looks amazing!! I could eat pesto every day. Also, great idea for not paying for your lunch!

      Reply
      • Lindsay Moe says

        May 04, 2017 at 9:43 pm

        Thanks Cathleen!

        Reply
    5. Agness of Run Agness Run says

      May 05, 2017 at 1:39 pm

      Such an appetizing salad, Lindsay! Very mouth-watering!

      Reply

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    lindsay moe in a kitchen with glasses on shelves behind her

    Hi, I'm Lindsay! I've been creating easily customizable vegetarian recipes since 2011. I love the outdoors, brownies, and brand new books. I live and work in La Crosse, Wisconsin and founded Wild Flour Media to expand on my love for food photography and videography to my community and beyond.

    More about me →

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    309 shares