I’m not sure I should call today’s salad a recipe. It’s more of a suggestion on how to assemble a pasta salad. In an attempt to switch up some of my quick and easy warm weather meals, I’ve been trying some different meatless options. This chilled pesto tortellini salad was a hit and definitely has found a way onto our summer menu not only because of it’s flavor, but also for how easy it is to bring to outdoor events.
Grab your favorite brand of tortellini and your favorite pesto (whether homemade or store bought) and mix. That’s the simple base for this tasty salad. I love flavors of sun-dried tomatoes and feta, so I made sure that those flavors could shine through in this dish. To give the salad a bit of crunch, I also added some chopped yellow bell pepper. And that’s it. A quick and easy no-bake, no need to heat up your house, meatless summer meal!
Not only is this salad super easy and great to bring to picnics or other outdoor gatherings cold, but this pesto tortellini salad is also delicious warm. Just heat it up on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving and you have some easy, warm comfort food all ready to go! If you’re looking for a little more substantial meal, serve it with your favorite grilled meat!
- 1 (19 oz) package cheese tortellini
- ½ C pesto (homemade or store bought)
- 1 (7 oz) jar sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained and chopped
- ½ C bell peppers, chopped
- ½ C feta cheese crumbles + more for garnish if desired
- Cook tortellini according to package instructions. Remove to a large bowl to cool.
- Once tortellini is cool, stir in pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, and bell peppers to combine. Refrigerate for one hour or until salad is completely chilled.
- Stir in feta cheese right before serving.
- To serve warm:
- Add pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, and bell peppers immediately after cooking tortellini. Microwave or heat on the stovetop until salad is heated through.
Holiday Giveaway – $500 Cash
Lighter Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole
Strawberry Lemonade Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
Top Ten Reader Recipe Favorites of 2015
I absolutely love salads like this in the summertime – well anytime for that matter!!! Yum!
This is definitely a salad and one that I would LOVE.
This is one of my favorite guilty pleasures! Great combination!
Looks like a perfect summer meal. 🙂
I loooove tortellini! This salad looks so simple but utterly delicious 🙂
Love this! I could put sun-dried tomatoes on everything right now, obsessed! 🙂
My daughter loves tortellini and I am sure she will love this new recipe. I cannot wait to try it 🙂
Love how easy this is! And definitely perfect for picnics and summer gatherings!
I’m always looking for something to bring to a potluck that’s easy and can be cold, warm or whatever! I don’t like to stress about keeping food warm or safe….who does? Bring on summer.
I love something tasty that you can put together in a pinch. This sounds delicious!
This is totally going on our dinner menu! Yum!
Sometimes the easiest things are the best! This salad looks like a perfect summer side!
Pasta salads like this are perfect for hectic week nights — easy to whip up and delicious!
Jessica., I need to find gluten free tortellini ASAP so I can make this! Looks delicious!
Simple and easy. The perfect combo.
What a perfectly wonderful salad! I love that you added sun-dried tomatoes – they make everything better! Thanks for sharing!
This is my favorite kind of summer salad!!
This is my kind of salad! Looks fabulous 🙂 I love pesto, and I would love this with a blue cheese one I made recently!
I have never seen the spinach and tomato tortellini! I have to find them, I NEED to make this salad. All my favorites right there in that bowl!
Gosh, this just looks perfect! I love the idea of a meatless meal that’s easy to put together! Pinned!
Oh, this looks SO awesome for a hot summer day’s dinner!
I love the cheese tortellini in here, perfect barbecue addition! Pinned 🙂
I love your suggestion ;P
This pasta salad is so pretty and fresh and I just love it! I would totally gobble this up if I saw it at a barbecue!
Love how delicious this recipe looks! I’m definitely trying it to see if we will add it to the summer menu. Thanks for sharing.
This sounds like a great summer salad! I love the sun dried tomatoes in it! 🙂