5.0 from 3 votes
Tortellini Caprese Pasta Salad
🥗🍅🌿🧀 All the flavors of traditional caprese salad including tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, but with cheese tortellini to add a comfort food factor that everyone ADORES! Tossed in a light balsamic vinaigrette which adds loads of flavor without being heavy. So EASY, ready in 20 minutes, perfect for summer days, a quick work lunch, or as a family favorite dinner side dish!
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 403 kcal
Course:
Main Course , Salad , Others
Cuisine:
Italian , Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 14 ounces cheese tortellini (or your favorite tortellini)
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves finely minced
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper, or to taste
- 16 ounces cherry tomatoes halved if desired (grape tomatoes or other tomatoes may be substituted)
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese pearls drained if sold in liquid
- 1 cup fresh baby spinach roughly chopped
- 3 to 4 tablespoons fresh basil thinly sliced (chiffonade)
- balsamic glaze for drizzling as desired
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook tortellini according to package directions. Drain, rinse under cold water, and transfer to a large mixing bowl. While the tortellini are boiling, move on to the steps.
- To a medium bowl or large glass measuring cup, add the oil, garlic, balsamic vinegar, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, pepper, and whisk to combine. Taste the vinaigrette and make any necessary flavor tweaks, i.e. more salt, pepper, and you may want to consider a pinch of granulated sugar. I find it balances the overall flavor profile, but everyone's preferences vary. Set vinaigrette aside.
- To the large bowl with the cooked tortellini, add the tomatoes, mozzarella, spinach, basil, evenly drizzle with the vinaigrette, and toss to coat evenly. Taste and check for seasoning balance. Flavoring Tips - If it tastes at all flat or boring, it may need more salt (or pepper) so don't be afraid to add them. Add another splash of balsamic vinegar if it lacks acidity or a bit of 'bite'.
- Evenly drizzle balsamic glaze over the salad, as desired, if you plan to serve the salad right away. Please see Notes below for a link to my homemade recipe or for store bought links.
- Serve the salad immediately if desired. Or, cover, and refrigerate to chill for 30-60 minutes, or as desired. Then drizzle with balsamic glaze.
- Make-Ahead - You can make the salad up to 24 hours ahead of time. Don't drizzle with the final touch of balsamic glaze until you plan to serve it. Another tip is to not halve the tomatoes unless you really need to, if you plan to make it ahead of time. As the cut surfaces of the tomatoes are exposed to the vinaigrette, their natural juices will release and the salad will become a bit more watery.
- Storage - Extra will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 4-5 days, however like with any salad, fresher is better.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- For the balsamic glaze (not to be confused with balsamic vinegar - please read the FAQs in the blog post if you don't know the difference between the two), I like to use either my homemade balsamic glaze recipe.
- Or, if you don't want to make, it my favorite store bought is Trader Joe's Balsamic Glaze which I highly recommend if you have a TJ's store in your area. If not, use a store bought balsamic glaze that you can find easily.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1serving
Calories
403kcal
(20%)
Carbohydrates
34g
(11%)
Protein
18g
(36%)
Fat
23g
(35%)
Saturated Fat
6g
(30%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
7g
Cholesterol
39mg
(13%)
Sodium
716mg
(30%)
Potassium
216mg
(6%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
5g
(10%)
Vitamin A
898IU
(18%)
Vitamin C
19mg
(21%)
Calcium
255mg
(26%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 403
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 403kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 34g | 11% |
| Protein | 18g | 36% |
| Fat | 23g | 35% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Cholesterol | 39mg | 13% |
| Sodium | 716mg | 30% |
| Potassium | 216mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 898IU | 18% |
| Vitamin C | 19mg | 21% |
| Calcium | 255mg | 26% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.