A bright and cheesy pasta salad that screams summer! Dinner is ready in less than 30 minutes!
As the days get warmer, I leave my oven off as much as possible. I don't want to heat up my kitchen if I don't have to! I try to stick to stove top cooking, which includes a variety of pasta dishes, like this Caramelized Shallot Pasta with Greens or One Pot Pasta with Tomato Mascarpone Sauce. And one of my favorite summer pasta dishes is this tasty tortellini salad.
This recipe incorporates so many of my favorite summer ingredients, including tomatoes, zucchini, and fresh pesto. It's bright, slightly spicy from the garlicky pesto, and loaded with hearty cheese tortellini. And the best part is that it comes together in less than 30 minutes!
Because this is a summer pasta salad, feel free to substitute the tomatoes and zucchini with whatever summer produce is in your CSA box. Red peppers would be delicious here, as would green onions.
Since we are on the topic of pasta, if you missed this article on The Bucatini Shortage of 2021, it's a fascinating read!
Ingredients Needed
- 20 oz. cheese tortellini, fresh or frozen
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 zucchini, sliced into half moons
- salt
- black pepper
- parmesan cheese, shaved (optional)
- fresh basil, roughly chopped (optional)
For the Walnut Pesto
- ¼ cup walnuts, toasted
- ⅓ cup parmesan, shaved or grated
- 1 clove garlic, roughly chopped
- 3 cups basil leaves
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
Step-By-Step Instructions
Cook the tortellini according to instructions on package. Drain well.
While tortellini is cooking, make the walnut pesto: In the bowl of a food processor, add walnuts, parmesan, and garlic, and pulse until finely ground. Scrape down sides of bowl, and add basil leaves. Mix for an additional minute. With motor on, slowly add olive oil until smooth. Season with salt and set aside.
Place cooked tortellini in a large bowl, and add tomatoes and zucchini.
Add pesto to bowl and mix until ingredients are well coated.
Season to taste with salt and pepper. If using shaved parmesan and fresh basil, add to bowl. Serve warm or at room temperature. Transfer leftovers to an air-tight container and store in refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Pro Tips
- Although this recipe is ready in less than 30 minutes, you can make the pesto ahead of time. Just store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- For maximum flavor and texture, serve this pasta salad warm or at room temperature. It CAN be served cold, but the cheese tortellini becomes a bit too chewy and the flavor is muted by the cold temperature.
- If freezing leftovers, place in a freezer-safe container and store for up to 2 months. To serve, thaw in refrigerator and use microwave to reheat.
Enjoy your week, and feel free to drop me a line in the comments – I would love to hear if you try this recipe! Or tag me on Instagram @maryannehoekstra to let me know how it turned out! Also, if you are enjoying my blog, please consider recommending it to your friends. They can subscribe here.
Summer Tortellini Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 20 oz. cheese tortellini, fresh or frozen
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 zucchini, sliced into half moons
- salt
- black pepper
- parmesan cheese, shaved (optional)
- fresh basil, roughly chopped (optional)
For the Walnut Pesto
- ¼ cup walnuts, toasted
- ⅓ cup parmesan, shaved or grated
- 1 clove garlic, roughly chopped
- 3 cups basil leaves
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Cook the tortellini according to instructions on package. Drain well.
- While tortellini is cooking, make the walnut pesto: In the bowl of a food processor, add walnuts, parmesan, and garlic, and pulse until finely ground. Scrape down sides of bowl, and add basil leaves. Mix for an additional minute. With motor on, slowly add olive oil until smooth. Season with salt and set aside.
- Place cooked tortellini in a large bowl, and add tomatoes and zucchini.
- Add pesto to bowl and mix until ingredients are well coated.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper. If using shaved parmesan and fresh basil, add to bowl. Serve warm or at room temperature. Transfer leftovers to an air-tight container and store in refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Notes
- Although this recipe is ready in less than 30 minutes, you can make the pesto ahead of time. Just store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- For maximum flavor and texture, serve this pasta salad warm or at room temperature. It CAN be served cold, but the cheese tortellini becomes a bit too chewy and the flavor is muted by the cold temperature.
- If freezing leftovers, place in a freezer-safe container and store for up to 2 months. To serve, thaw in refrigerator and use microwave to reheat.
Barbara J Haner
I can't say it enough how amazing your photos are. I feel like the salad bowl is sitting in front of me and I can just start eating! Looks delicious!
Gastronotherapy
Thank you! 🙂
Angela
Love this salad! It really is the perfect summer pasta salad. The tortellini makes it extra special. YUM!
Gastronotherapy
Thanks, Angela!
Beth
I’ll definitely have a plate of this! Looks so delicious and very tasty! Headed to the store now. Excited to make this tonight!
Gastronotherapy
Thanks, Beth!
Denay DeGuzman
This delicious tortellini salad is an ideal side for big 4th of July BBQs. I plan to make this dish the night before the event.
Gastronotherapy
Thanks, Denay! Yes, this would be perfect for a BBQ!
Sharon
This is the best salad for summer. The homemade walnut pesto adds so much flavor.
Gastronotherapy
Thanks, Sharon!
Hailey
This looks perfect for summer! It would be so yummy with a nice cold glass of crisp white wine.
Gastronotherapy
I agree, Hailey! 🙂
michele h peterson
Perfect salad to take boating! It travels so well!
Gastronotherapy
I agree, Michele! So glad you enjoyed it!
Brianna May
Looks delicious !!
Gastronotherapy
Thanks, Brianna!
Freya
This was such a delicious meal! I can’t wait to make it again this bank holiday weekend!
Gastronotherapy
Thanks, Freya! So glad you enjoyed it!
Audrey
This looks perfect for summer!
Gastronotherapy
Thanks, Audrey! It is - I love bringing it along on family picnics!
Oscar
omgosh this salad looks devine. I love tortellini and can't wait to make this. My family will love it.
Gastronotherapy
Thank you, Oscar! It's so easy to make, and bursting with flavor!
Agnieszka | Wholly Tasteful
This salad is really yummy, easy and perfect for summer.
Gastronotherapy
Thanks, Agnieszka! It tastes like summer!:-)
Addie
So light and refreshing for summer! Yum!!
Gastronotherapy
Thanks, Addie! I agree! 🙂