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Easy Pesto Tortellini Salad

This Easy Pesto Tortellini Salad is a quick, no-bake meal option for hot, summer days that’s filling and flavorful! Plus, it tastes great warm if you’re looking for some comfort food!

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.

Side view of a blue bowl filled with pesto pasta salad.

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!

Above view of a wooden spoon full of pesto tortellini pasta salad.

What you need to make Easy Pesto Tortellini Salad

  • Refrigerated or frozen cheese tortellini
  • Store-bought or homemade pesto
  • Sun-dried tomatoes
  • Bell peppers
  • Feta cheese

How to Make Easy Pesto Tortellini Salad

It doesn’t get much easier than this salad. Just follow the instructions from the package of your desired tortellini. Allow to cool. Stir in remaining ingredients. If the tortellini is still warm, refrigerate until completely chilled. That’s it!

Tips for Making Easy Pesto Tortellini Salad

  • Don’t like (or can’t find) sun-dried tomatoes? Substitute the sun-dried tomatoes for fresh cherry or grape tomatoes.
  • You can use any color bell pepper. The orange and yellow just give a pop of color!
  • You can serve this tortellini salad cold or hot. Either serve it right away or just warm it up on the stovetop/microwave until evenly heated. Top with additional feta. If you find that the salad looks a little dry, stir in a bit more pesto before heating.

Above view of a bowl of pesto tortellini salad with a wooden spoon in it.

Above view of a wooden spoon full of pesto tortellini pasta salad.

Easy Pesto Tortellini Salad

Yield: 10 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Refrigeration Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 (19 oz) package cheese tortellini
  • 1/2 C pesto (homemade or store bought)
  • 1 (7 oz) jar sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained and chopped
  • 1/2 C bell peppers, chopped
  • 1/2 C feta cheese crumbles + more for garnish if desired

Instructions

  1. Cook tortellini according to package instructions. Remove to a large bowl to cool.
  2. Once tortellini is cool, stir in pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, bell peppers, and crumbled feta cheese to combine. Refrigerate for one hour or until salad is completely chilled.
  3. Garnish with additional crumbled feta cheese before serving, if desired..
  4. To serve warm: Add pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, bell peppers, and crumbled feta cheese immediately after cooking tortellini. Serve.
  5. To reheat: Microwave or heat on the stovetop until salad is heated through. If salad looks a little dry, stir in a bit more pesto before heating.

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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 112Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 166mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 4g

Nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online calculator and may not always be accurate. It should not be considered a substitute for a medical professional’s advice.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment or rating on the blog to let us know or share a pic on Instagram and tag @akitchenaddiction

Above view of a bowl of Pesto Tortellini Salad garnished with basil leaves. Recipe from A Kitchen Addiction

 

Keira Ball

Monday 9th of August 2021

WOW. So easy and quick.

Jocelyn@BruCrew Life

Saturday 14th of June 2014

This sounds like a great summer salad! I love the sun dried tomatoes in it! :)

Laura @ Lauras Baking Talent

Wednesday 11th of June 2014

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.

Kayle (The Cooking Actress)

Tuesday 10th of June 2014

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!

Anna (Hidden Ponies)

Tuesday 10th of June 2014

I love the cheese tortellini in here, perfect barbecue addition! Pinned :)

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