Quick & Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad
This Quick & Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad is delicious! It’s perfect for family get-togethers, as a side dish, or meal-prepped and used for busy weekday lunches.
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PESTO TORTELLINI PASTA SALAD
Pasta salad is one of those dishes that is hard to mess up. You can throw in any toppings you like, and most of the time the pasta salad will turn out delicious. We love a fail-proof recipe!
This Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad only takes about 20 minutes to make and most of that time is just waiting for the tortellini to cook. While the pasta is cooking, prep your veggies and sauce… efficiency!
WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE PESTO TORTELLINI PASTA SALAD
Tortellini: I used a store-bought pesto filled tortellini. Any kind you like is just fine.
Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes are ideal.
Onion: I recommend used purple/red onion.
Olives: Black or kalamata preferably.
Artichoke hearts: Canned in water, not marinade!
Pesto: Store-bought or homemade, whichever you prefer.
Fresh basil: for garnishing
HOW TO MAKE PESTO TORTELLINI PASTA SALAD
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season with salt. Add the tortellini and cook according to directions on the package. Usually about 16-18 minutes. Once the tortellini is cooked and tender, turn off the heat and add a cup of cold water to the pot and then strain.
While the tortellini is in the strainer, rinse it with cold water for 1-2 minutes to cool it. Transfer the tortellini to a large bowl.
Add the tomatoes, onions, olives, artichoke hearts, and pesto to the bowl of tortellini and toss well until all the ingredients are well combined.
Garnish with fresh basil and a pinch of black pepper. Enjoy immediately or store in the fridge for 1-2 hours before serving.
SERVING AND STORING
The Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad can be served right away, but for better flavor let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours.
Store leftover pasta salad in a sealed container in the fridge for up to five days.
LOVE THIS PASTA SALAD? CHECK OUT THESE RECIPES:
As always, if you try this Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad, I would love your feedback! Please leave a comment below letting me know how you liked it. And be sure to follow along on Instagram and Pinterest for more recipes like this one!
To show me your own creations, tag @projectsunny on Instagram so I can see!
Quick & Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 - 16 ounce package dry tortellini of choice
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 small purple onion, chopped
- 2/3 cup kalmata olives, whole or sliced
- 1 -14 ounce can of artichoke hearts, drained and cut into fourths
- 1/2 cup pesto sauce
- fresh basil, to garnish
- cracked pepper, to garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season with salt. Add the tortellini and cook according to directions on the package. Usually about 16-18 minutes. Once the tortellini is cooked and tender, turn off the heat and add a cup of cold water to the pot and then strain.
- While the tortellini is in the strainer, rinse it with cold water for 1-2 minutes to cool it. Transfer the tortellini to a large bowl.
- Add the tomatoes, onions, olives, artichoke hearts, and pesto to the bowl of tortellini and toss well until all the ingredients are well combined.
- Garnish with fresh basil and a pinch of black pepper. Enjoy immediately or store in the fridge for 1-2 hours before serving.
