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    Gastronotherapy Β» Recipes Β» Brunch

    Summer Tortellini Salad

    Published: May 20, 2021 Β· Modified: May 14, 2022 by MaryAnne Β· 26 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Summer tortellini salad is a bright, cheesy, and zingy vegetarian pasta salad that's full of summer produce and ready in less than 30 minutes. We're going for an Italian/Mediterranean vibe with our light and fresh ingredients, and because it can be served chilled or at room temperature, it's a perfect meal for your next potluck, picnic, or BBQ!

    Large white bowl of summer tortellini salad with cherry tomatoes and a fork.

    As the days get warmer, I try to stick to stovetop cooking, which includes a variety of pasta dishes, like caramelized shallot pasta with greens or one pot pasta with mascarpone tomato sauce. But when you want a dish that's not only garden-fresh but also versatile, pasta salad is the way to go.

    This recipe incorporates so many of my favorite summer ingredients: juicy tomatoes, snappy zucchini, and aromatic basil. It's bright, zippy, robust, and loaded with creamy cheese tortellini. The garlicky pesto gets caught in all of the nooks and crannies of the tortellini; I might have to just call this perfection in a bowl.

    If you need a quick and easy dish to take to that Memorial Day picnic or potluck, this simple dish comes together in less than 30 minutes.

    Jump to:
    • ⭐️ Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • πŸ… Ingredient Notes
    • πŸ“‹ Variations and Substitutions
    • πŸ”ͺ How To Make Summer Tortellini Salad
    • πŸ‘©πŸΌβ€πŸ³ Expert Tips
    • 🍝 Related Recipes
    • πŸ“– Summer Tortellini Salad Recipe

    ⭐️ Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • Bright, zingy, creamy, and herby
    • Healthy vegetarian meal made with fresh ingredients
    • Simple pasta dish that comes together in less than 30 minutes
    • Great way to use summer produce
    • Makes a fun option for your next summer picnic/potluck/BBQ

    πŸ… Ingredient Notes

    Recipe ingredients arranged on a baking sheet.
    • Cheese tortellini - Use fresh or frozen; cook according to package instructions, making sure not to overcook.
    • Cherry tomatoes - I like the chewiness of cherry tomatoes, but you can use any variety of tomatoes.
    • Parmesan cheese - This is completely optional, since the tortellini already has cheese in it, but I love the additional nutty saltiness that Parmesan adds.
    • Fresh basil - A summertime staple herb! This is what gives our pesto that aromatic and woodsy taste.
    • Walnuts - Although traditional pesto is made with pine nuts, they are very expensive and can be hard to find. Walnuts are a nice substitute to provide that rich and nutty flavor.
    • Garlic - I recommend using fresh garlic whenever possible.

    πŸ“‹ Variations and Substitutions

    • Try a different type of pasta. Any pasta with interesting texture will work great for this recipe. Think farfalle, rotini, orecchiette, etc.
    • Add protein. The cheese provides a good amount of protein here, but if you want to bump it up even more, you could add shredded chicken or chickpeas.
    • Use a mix of summer produce. Utilize a different combination of summer veggies every time you make summer tortellini salad - corn, bell peppers, cucumbers, etc. would all be delicious.
    • Add more Italian flavor. Use my homemade Italian seasoning blend! Keep it on hand and add it to all of your favorite Italian recipes.
    • Add leafy greens. For more fiber and nutrition, add a few handfuls of kale, spinach, or Swiss chard.
    bowl of tortellini with tomatoes, pesto, and parmesan.

    πŸ”ͺ How To Make Summer Tortellini Salad

    *See recipe card below for printable instructions.

    Cook the tortellini according to instructions on package. Drain well and rinse under cold water immediately.

    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.

    making the walnut pesto in a food processor.

    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.

    bowl of summer tortellini salad with parmesan, tomatoes, and zucchini.

    πŸ‘©πŸΌβ€πŸ³ Expert Tips

    • Storage: Place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
    • How to freeze: Transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. To thaw, place in refrigerator overnight.
    • Make ahead: You can make the tortellini and pesto up to 24 hours ahead of time. Just store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
    • How to serve: Serve chilled or at room temperature.
    • Cook according to package instructions. It's very important that you cook your pasta according to package instructions (you can use fresh or frozen tortellini). Don't overcook - cooking 1 or 2 minutes less is better than overcooking. Overcooked pasta will turn mushy and gummy.
    • Run tortellini under cold water. Don't skip this step! This does two things: It stops the cooking process immediately, and it prevents the pasta from clumping together.
    • What to serve it with: Serve as an accompaniment to a main dish, like my impossible burger meatballs or portobello burgers with smoky ranch coleslaw; as a main accompanied by a side dish, like stuffed zucchini boats with rice or creamy cucumber avocado gazpacho; finish it with quick pickled red onions for an extra zing; try it with refreshing cucumber lemon ginger water; and don't forget healthy s'mores bars or an apricot galette for dessert!

    🍝 Related Recipes

    • Creamy Pea Pesto Fettuccine with Roasted Tomatoes
    • Easy Miso Noodles with Roasted Tomatoes
    • Easy Tuscan Bean Salad
    • Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad with Chickpeas and Avocado

    Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. You can also stay in touch with us through social media by following us on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook or by subscribing to our newsletter.

    bowl of summer tortellini salad with tomatoes and a fork.

    πŸ“– Summer Tortellini Salad Recipe

    Author: MaryAnne
    Summer tortellini salad is a bright, cheesy, and zingy vegetarian pasta salad that's full of summer produce and ready in less than 30 minutes. Perfect for your next potluck, picnic, or BBQ!
    5 from 15 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 457 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 20 ounces cheese tortellini, fresh or frozen
    • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
    • 1 zucchini, sliced into half moons
    • salt and black pepper
    • parmesan cheese, shaved (optional)
    • fresh basil, roughly chopped (optional)

    For the Walnut Pesto

    • ΒΌ cup walnuts, toasted
    • β…“ cup parmesan, shaved or grated
    • 1 garlic clove, roughly chopped
    • 3 cups basil leaves
    • β…“ cup extra-virgin olive oil
    • Β½ teaspoon salt

    Instructions
     

    • Cook the tortellini according to instructions on package. Drain well and rinse under cold water immediately.
    • 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 chilled or at room temperature.

    Notes

    • Storage: Place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
    • How to freeze: Transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. To thaw, place in refrigerator overnight.
    • Make ahead: You can make the tortellini and pesto up to 24 hours ahead of time. Just store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
    • How to serve: Serve chilled or at room temperature.
    • Cook according to package instructions. It's very important that you cook your pasta according to package instructions (you can use fresh or frozen tortellini). Don't overcook - cooking 1 or 2 minutes less is better than overcooking. Overcooked pasta will turn mushy and gummy.
    • Run tortellini under cold water. Don't skip this step! This does two things: It stops the cooking process immediately, and it prevents the pasta from clumping together.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 457kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 19gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 705mgPotassium: 321mgFiber: 5gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1128IUVitamin C: 26mgCalcium: 241mgIron: 4mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Barbara J Haner

      May 20, 2021 at 10:06 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Gastronotherapy

        May 20, 2021 at 2:30 pm

        Thank you! πŸ™‚

        Reply
    2. Angela

      May 20, 2021 at 1:02 pm

      5 stars
      Love this salad! It really is the perfect summer pasta salad. The tortellini makes it extra special. YUM!

      Reply
      • Gastronotherapy

        May 20, 2021 at 2:30 pm

        Thanks, Angela!

        Reply
    3. Beth

      May 20, 2021 at 1:14 pm

      5 stars
      I’ll definitely have a plate of this! Looks so delicious and very tasty! Headed to the store now. Excited to make this tonight!

      Reply
      • Gastronotherapy

        May 20, 2021 at 2:30 pm

        Thanks, Beth!

        Reply
    4. Denay DeGuzman

      May 20, 2021 at 1:22 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
      • Gastronotherapy

        May 20, 2021 at 2:31 pm

        Thanks, Denay! Yes, this would be perfect for a BBQ!

        Reply
    5. Sharon

      May 20, 2021 at 1:44 pm

      5 stars
      This is the best salad for summer. The homemade walnut pesto adds so much flavor.

      Reply
      • Gastronotherapy

        May 20, 2021 at 2:31 pm

        Thanks, Sharon!

        Reply
    6. Hailey

      May 20, 2021 at 1:52 pm

      5 stars
      This looks perfect for summer! It would be so yummy with a nice cold glass of crisp white wine.

      Reply
      • Gastronotherapy

        May 20, 2021 at 2:32 pm

        I agree, Hailey! πŸ™‚

        Reply
    7. michele h peterson

      May 27, 2021 at 8:16 am

      5 stars
      Perfect salad to take boating! It travels so well!

      Reply
      • Gastronotherapy

        May 27, 2021 at 9:50 am

        I agree, Michele! So glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    8. Brianna May

      May 27, 2021 at 10:13 am

      5 stars
      Looks delicious !!

      Reply
      • Gastronotherapy

        May 27, 2021 at 11:57 am

        Thanks, Brianna!

        Reply
    9. Freya

      May 27, 2021 at 12:11 pm

      5 stars
      This was such a delicious meal! I can’t wait to make it again this bank holiday weekend!

      Reply
      • Gastronotherapy

        May 27, 2021 at 12:30 pm

        Thanks, Freya! So glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    10. Audrey

      May 27, 2021 at 2:18 pm

      5 stars
      This looks perfect for summer!

      Reply
      • Gastronotherapy

        May 27, 2021 at 3:17 pm

        Thanks, Audrey! It is - I love bringing it along on family picnics!

        Reply
    11. Oscar

      May 27, 2021 at 5:54 pm

      5 stars
      omgosh this salad looks devine. I love tortellini and can't wait to make this. My family will love it.

      Reply
      • Gastronotherapy

        May 28, 2021 at 1:58 pm

        Thank you, Oscar! It's so easy to make, and bursting with flavor!

        Reply
    12. Agnieszka | Wholly Tasteful

      May 27, 2021 at 8:11 pm

      5 stars
      This salad is really yummy, easy and perfect for summer.

      Reply
      • Gastronotherapy

        May 28, 2021 at 2:00 pm

        Thanks, Agnieszka! It tastes like summer!:-)

        Reply
    13. Addie

      May 28, 2021 at 6:11 pm

      5 stars
      So light and refreshing for summer! Yum!!

      Reply
      • Gastronotherapy

        May 29, 2021 at 8:42 am

        Thanks, Addie! I agree! πŸ™‚

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm MaryAnne! Gastronotherapy is where I create easy recipes that are mainly vegetarian and vegan. And I have a huge sweet tooth, so dessert is never far behind.

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