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Caprese Tortellini Pasta Salad
5 from 93 votes

Caprese Tortellini Pasta Salad

Caprese Tortellini Pasta Salad combines tender cheese-filled tortellini, fresh mozzarella balls, juicy cherry tomatoes, and aromatic basil tossed in a homemade Italian dressing. The cooked tortellini is cooled to prevent sogginess, then mixed with fresh ingredients and a bright vinaigrette that softens herbs and melds flavors for a vibrant cold salad. This dish serves well as a side for dinners or as a party salad, flexible in portion size and easily customizable based on ingredient availability.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
8 mins
Total Time
18 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 280 kcal
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian, American

Ingredients

  • 9 oz cheese tortellini fresh, refrigerated
  • 4 oz fresh mozzarella marinated or regular, balls
  • 1 pint cherry tomato
  • ½ cup Italian dressing (see below for recipe)
  • basil fresh, to taste
Speedy Homemade Italian Dressing
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup white vinegar
  • 1 TBSP Italian seasoning blend (Mrs. Dash is my favorite!)
  • ½ TBSP garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp salt

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil.
  2. Add your tortellini and reduce heat to gently cook the pasta to either tender or al-dente according to package directions.
  3. Grab a noodle to taste-test and remove from heat.
  4. Strain/drain in a colander and run under cold water to halt the cooking process and prevent soggy noodles.
  5. Transfer into a medium-large serving bowl along with mozzarella balls, tomatoes, and basil.
  6. FOR THE DRESSING: whisk all ingredients together and allow to sit. Giving the dressing some time to mingle will not only infuse flavor into the oil/vinegar but also soften the dry herbs and seasoning. This dressing will keep in your fridge for about a week so make extra to drizzle over a week's worth of salads!
  7. Pour in dressing and toss to coat.
  8. Dig in!

Notes

  • Adjust ingredient quantities to fit portion needs; recipe serves 4-6 depending on use.
  • Using marinated mozzarella or marinating your own adds richer flavor to the salad.
  • Dressing can be made ahead and stored up to one week for convenient use beyond this salad.
  • Rinsing cooked tortellini under cold water halts cooking and keeps noodles firm.

Nutrition Information

Calories 280kcal (14%) Carbohydrates 23g (8%) Protein 11g (22%) Fat 17g (26%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Cholesterol 23mg (8%) Sodium 305mg (13%) Potassium 192mg (4%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin A 400IU (8%) Vitamin C 18mg (20%) Calcium 150mg (15%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 280

% Daily Value*

Calories 280kcal 14%
Carbohydrates 23g 8%
Protein 11g 22%
Fat 17g 26%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 23mg 8%
Sodium 305mg 13%
Potassium 192mg 4%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 3g 6%
Vitamin A 400IU 8%
Vitamin C 18mg 20%
Calcium 150mg 15%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.