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Home » Savory » Tortellini Caprese Salad

Tortellini Caprese Salad

Published: May 11, 2022 · Modified: May 11, 2022 by Mara · This post may contain affiliate links - as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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This Tortellini Caprese Salad is an easy dinner or side for the summer! It's simply made with cheese tortellini pasta, lots of colorful cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, olive oil and balsamic glaze.

Tortellini Caprese Salad in an octagon bowl with brown speckles with tomatoes, mozzarella and basil leaves on a white marble background with cherry tomatoes, basil, chili flakes in a small white bowl, a gold fork and spoon in the surrounding.

This Tortellini Caprese Salad is a delicious, easy recipe using basic ingredients you probably have in your kitchen right now. This is the perfect side dish for summer picnics, barbecues, potlucks and parties especially Memorial Day, 4th of July and Father's Day. This might be the ultimate pasta salad thanks to the wonderful cheesy and pillowy tortellini pasta.

Caprese salad is one of my favorite summer salads! I love the combination of fresh and juicy ripe tomatoes with rich mozzarella, beautiful green basil and the simple combination of olive oil and balsamic. All these ingredients seemed perfect for a pasta salad. And, why not add in delicious and hardy cheese tortellini?

If you're looking for even more recipes for your next gathering check out these recipes. Game day? Try this Buffalo Onion Dip! Picnic? Check out this stunning Trader Joe's Crudité Platter or Cucumber Feta Mint Salad. Summer desserts for bbq? My easy Salted Pistachio Brown Butter Rice Krispies Treats or rich Fudgy Brown Butter Brownies.

Tortellini Caprese Salad in an octagon bowl with brown speckles with tomatoes, mozzarella and basil leaves on a white marble background with cherry tomatoes surrounding.

Why You'll Love this Recipe

  • Can be eaten right away
  • Even better after being refrigerate for an hour
  • Easily made in advance
  • Easy to customize with your favorite add-ins or leftover vegetables and protein
  • Delicious vegetarian meal or side
  • Must-have side dish for summer parties, picnics, barbecues and potlucks
  • Easily doubled or tripled for large gatherings
  • Perfect for summer holidays - Memorial Day, 4th of July and Father's Day

Ingredients

Overhead of tortellini caprese salad ingredients on a white marble background with a dark red box with white text in all caps to label each item

Ingredient Notes

  • Tortellini: I use fresh refrigerated tortellini. You can use any type of cheese tortellini.
  • Mozzarella: For this recipe, I used fresh mozzarella balls that were marinated in a blend of herbs and oil. I decided to leave the balls whole but you can also slice in half or quarters. These can be found in the specialty cheese section of your grocery store. You can also use normal fresh mozzarella balls or a mozzarella log and cube it. If this mozzarella is too expensive or you don’t want to make a separate trip, you can substitute regular mozzarella and chop it into cubes.
  • Tomatoes: I have used cherry or grape tomatoes. I feel like the smaller tomatoes have a more delicious flavor compared to a roma tomato for this particular recipe. Also, I used rainbow mix variety because I love how colorful they are in the pasta salad.
  • Basil: I love the taste of fresh basil for this recipe. I have not tried it with dried basil.
  • Olive Oil: I always suggest getting the best olive oil you can! You won’t regret it.
  • Balsamic Glaze: It adds a bit of sweet and tangy flavor to each bite of this pasta salad and its thick, sticky sauce enhances the presentation, as well as the deliciousness, of the dish. You can make your own or use a store bought version. Amount used is at your own discretion.
  • Salt + Seasonings: I recommend using kosher or sea salt for seasoning. You'll need more for also salting your pasta water. Add chili flakes for a bit of heat and freshly ground black pepper to season the pasta salad before serving.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step by Step photos with a number in the upper left corner in white indicating the number of step. The left '1' shows tortellini being boiled in a pot. the right '2' shows cheese tortellini in a colander being washed in the sink.
  1. Carefully read the directions for cooking the cheese tortellini. Cook as directed EXCEPT cut the cooking time by ¾. So if it says to cook the tortellini for 4 minutes, you cook it for 3 minutes instead.
  2. After cooking the tortellini, drain the tortellini in a colander and run pasta until cold water to stop the cooking process. Set the tortellini off to the side to cool.
Step by Step photos with a number in the upper left corner in dark red indicating the number of step. The left '3' shows rainbow cherry tomatoes being sliced on a small white cutting board with a larger bowl next to it with the sliced tomatoes and a small white bowl with the whole cherry tomatoes. The right '4' shows a large metal bowl with marinated mozzarella balls, sliced cherry tomatoes and cheese tortellini.
  1. While the pasta cools, wash, dry and slice cherry tomatoes in half.
  2. In a large bowl, add cheese tortellini, tomatoes, mozzarella and olive oil.
Step by Step photos with a number in the upper left corner indicating the number of step. The left '5' in white text shows tortellini pasta, mozzarella balls and tomatoes tossed in a large metal bowl with a large silver spoon. The right '6' in black text shows the tortellini caprese salad beautifully presented in an octagon bowl and served with fresh basil leaves and drizzle of balsamic glaze on a white background surrounded by more fresh basil and whole cherry tomatoes.
  1. Mix the pasta salad together. Set in the fridge for at least an hour.
  2. Toss pasta salad again. Taste and adjust seasoning (salt, pepper, and/or crushed red pepper). Serve with basil and balsamic glaze.

Variations

  • Add protein! While this is a delicious basic pasta salad. You can make it even more filling by adding it or eating it with grilled chicken, tofu, shrimp or steak.
  • Substitute what you already have! Incorporate other veggies and ingredients you like or already have on hand like roasted red peppers, cucumbers, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, salami, salad mix, mushrooms, artichoke hearts or avocado.

Expert Tips

  • Don't Cook Your Pasta Completely! I found that cooking your pasta for the full recommended time results in a mushy pasta that will fall apart otherwise. You want it pretty al date with a little bite. I found that cooking my pasta ¾ of the recommend time has achieved that result. So, for pasta with a recommended cooking time of 4 minutes, I would only cook it for 3 minutes.
  • Rinse, rinse, and rinse: After your pasta has finished cooking, immediately remove from heat, drain in a colander and rinse with cold water. This stops the pasta from overcooking.
  • Check the seasoning!: The flavor of pasta salad changes when cold. Make sure to toss the pasta salad after refrigerating to evenly redistribute and taste, re-seasoning before serving.
Tortellini Caprese Salad in a speckled octagon bowl topped with fresh basil and balsamic glaze on a white marble background. A small white bowl of balsamic glaze and small wood bowl of sea salt sit in the background. A pair of gold utensils are crossed in the foreground with cherry tomatoes and a piece of basil.

Recipe FAQs

How long will this prepared pasta salad stay good in the fridge?

Keep any leftovers in the fridge for 2-3 days in a sealed container.

Can you freeze this pasta salad?

I don't recommend it as it was change the whole texture of the pasta salad.

What should I serve with pasta salad?

Pasta salad is good with so many dishes! I usually like to serve pasta salad on a really hot day or for any of the summer holidays. Think burgers, bbq chicken, wings, hot dogs, brats, fried chicken, grilled chicken or salmon.

You Might Also Like

  • Lemon Pasta with Roasted Cauliflower & Chickpeas
  • Rainbow Couscous Salad

PS If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page? I always appreciate feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram.

Tortellini Caprese Salad in an octagon bowl with brown speckles with tomatoes, mozzarella and basil leaves on a white marble background with cherry tomatoes surrounding.

Tortellini Caprese Salad

Mara
If you like easy pasta salad recipes, you’re going to love this Tortellini Caprese Salad recipe! It's simple, easy and delicious! You'll find yourself making over and over again. Perfect especially for summer bbqs, picnics and holidays like 4th of July, Memorial Day and Father's Day!
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 3 mins
Resting/Cooling 1 hr 5 mins
Total Time 1 hr 13 mins
Course Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 8 people
Calories 413 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 20 ounces cheese tortellini
  • 12 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese balls
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes
  • ⅓ cup olive oil
  • ½ cup fresh basil
  • balsamic glaze
  • salt season to taste, plus more for salting pasta water
  • chili flakes optional
  • freshly ground pepper season to taste

Instructions
 

  • Carefully read the directions for cooking the cheese tortellini. Cook as directed EXCEPT cut the cooking time by ¾. So if it says to cook the tortellini for 4 minutes, you cook it for 3 minutes instead.
  • After cooking the tortellini, drain the tortellini in a colander and run pasta until cold water to stop the cooking process. Set the tortellini off to the side to cool.
  • While the pasta cools, wash, dry and slice cherry tomatoes in half.
  • In a large bowl, add cheese tortellini, tomatoes, mozzarella and olive oil.
  • Mix the pasta salad together. Set in the fridge for at least an hour.
  • Toss pasta salad again. Taste and adjust seasoning (salt, pepper, and/or crushed red pepper). Serve with basil and balsamic glaze.

Notes

  • Don't Cook Your Pasta Completely! I found that cooking your pasta for the full recommended time results in a mushy pasta that will fall apart otherwise. You want it pretty al date with a little bite. I found that cooking my pasta ¾ of the recommend time has achieved that result. So, for pasta with a recommended cooking time of 4 minutes, I would only cook it for 3 minutes.
  • Rinse, rinse, and rinse: After your pasta has finished cooking, immediately remove from heat, drain in a colander and rinse with cold water. This stops the pasta from overcooking.
  • Check the seasoning!: The flavor of pasta salad changes when cold. Make sure to toss the pasta salad after refrigerating to evenly redistribute and taste, re-seasoning before serving.
 
Nutritional information for this recipe is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. Please calculate your own nutritional information if you want it exact to what you make and use my calculations as a guide only.

Nutrition

Calories: 413kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 342mg | Potassium: 86mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 261IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 259mg | Iron: 2mg
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Hi, I’m Mara! The home baker and cook behind Make With Mara. This is where I share my love of recipe testing, plating, and all things tasty. Let’s crEATe something delicious together! More about me →

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