Zesty Caprese Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe for Lunch Joy

Summer’s heat calls for a refreshing caprese tortellini pasta salad that bursts with classic Italian flavors.

Cheese-filled tortellini creates the perfect canvas for juicy tomatoes and creamy mozzarella pearls.

Fresh basil leaves dance across this colorful dish, adding a bright, aromatic touch.

Balsamic glaze drizzled delicately brings a sweet and tangy dimension to every bite.

Each forkful promises a delightful blend of textures and tastes that transport you straight to the Mediterranean.

This easy-to-prepare salad works beautifully as a light lunch or stunning side dish for backyard gatherings.

Dive into this crowd-pleasing recipe and savor the essence of summer on your plate.

Tools For Caprese Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling tortellini with plenty of water and salt.
• Colander: Perfect for draining and rinsing tortellini under cold water.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Roomy vessel for combining pasta, tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil.
• Measuring Spoons: Helpful for adding precise amounts of salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
• Serving Spoon or Tongs: Great for gently tossing ingredients without breaking tortellini.
• Optional Cheese Grater: Useful for sprinkling fresh Parmesan as a final garnish.

How To Assemble Caprese Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe

• Boil Tortellini

Toss pasta into a bubbling pot of salty water and cook following package directions. Once done, quickly cool down the pasta by rinsing under cold water, then let it sit and reach room temperature.

• Create Flavor Harmony

In a spacious mixing bowl, gently combine the cooled tortellini with juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella pearls, and fragrant fresh basil leaves. This colorful mix will set the stage for a delightful culinary experience.

• Dress and Season

Drizzle a generous stream of olive oil and tangy balsamic glaze over the pasta mixture. Sprinkle in a pinch of salt, a dash of pepper, and optional garlic powder. Softly toss everything together, being careful not to crush the delicate tortellini.

• Chill and Elevate

Pop the bowl into the refrigerator and let the ingredients mingle and develop their flavors for at least half an hour. Before serving, add a final flourish of fresh basil, an extra swirl of balsamic glaze, and a light dusting of Parmesan cheese to create a stunning presentation.

Fresh Flavor Ideas For Caprese Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe

• Perfect Pasta Precision: Cook tortellini just until al dente to prevent mushy texture and maintain a firm bite.
• Dairy-Free Delight: Swap mozzarella balls with dairy-free cheese alternatives or roasted tofu cubes for a vegan-friendly version of the salad.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the salad a day in advance to enhance flavor development; store in an airtight container and add fresh basil just before serving.
• Protein Power Boost: Add grilled chicken, crispy pancetta, or chickpeas to transform this side dish into a complete and satisfying main course meal.
• Seasonal Swap Strategy: Replace cherry tomatoes with roasted seasonal vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or asparagus during different times of the year for varied flavor profiles.

Serving Up Caprese Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe With Ease

• Party Platter Perfection: Create a stunning appetizer spread by arranging the Caprese Tortellini Pasta Salad on a large platter with additional fresh basil leaves, whole mozzarella balls, and cherry tomatoes scattered around for a visually appealing presentation.
• Picnic Paradise: Pack this chilled pasta salad in individual containers for a delightful outdoor meal. It's easy to transport and stays fresh, making it ideal for summer picnics, beach trips, or backyard gatherings.
• Brunch Brilliance: Serve alongside frittatas, quiches, or grilled breakfast meats for a refreshing side dish that adds a burst of Italian-inspired flavor to your morning spread. The cool pasta salad complements warm breakfast items perfectly.
• Wine Night Wonder: Pair with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. The light, fresh flavors of the salad make it an excellent companion for a casual evening of wine and appetizers with friends.

How To Store Caprese Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe Right

• Quick Cooling Strategy: Let the tortellini cool completely to prevent overcooking and maintain perfect texture, preventing mushy pasta in your salad.
• Refrigeration Timing: Store the salad in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping the ingredients fresh and flavors vibrant without compromising quality.
• Smart Ingredient Separation: Keep mozzarella and basil separate until serving to prevent wilting and maintain crisp, bright ingredients that enhance overall taste.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the salad a day in advance to allow flavors to develop, creating a more delicious and harmonious dish that tastes even better the next day.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 290 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients For Caprese Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe

• Tortellini: Stuffed pasta that adds heartiness and flavor to the salad, choose fresh or refrigerated for best texture.

• Cherry Tomatoes, Basil: Vibrant ingredients that bring brightness and summer-fresh taste, select ripe, deeply colored tomatoes and fragrant basil leaves with no wilting.

• Mozzarella Balls, Parmesan Cheese: Provide rich, creamy texture and tangy depth, opt for fresh mozzarella in water and high-quality Parmesan for authentic flavor.

• Olive Oil, Balsamic Glaze, Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder: Create layers of complex flavor profiles, use extra virgin olive oil for best taste, choose thick, sweet balsamic glaze and freshly ground black pepper for maximum impact.

Vibrant Caprese Tortellini Pasta Salad

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Homemade caprese tortellini pasta salad blends classic Italian flavors with fresh summer ingredients. Cheese-filled tortellini, ripe tomatoes, mozzarella, and fragrant basil create a refreshing dish that transports you to Mediterranean coastal regions.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 package (20 oz / 567 g) cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
• 1.5 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine), halved if large
• 0.5 cup fresh basil leaves, torn or sliced
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 2 tbsps balsamic glaze (plus extra for drizzling)
• 1 tsp garlic powder (optional)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Boil Pasta: Immerse tortellini in heavily salted, rapidly boiling water, cooking until achieving perfect al dente texture as specified on package instructions.
2. Cool Preparation: Drain tortellini immediately in a colander, rinse with cold water to terminate cooking process, then spread out to cool completely and prevent adhesion.
3. Compose Base: In a generous mixing vessel, assemble cooled tortellini as the fundamental layer, creating a pasta foundation for the salad.
4. Integrate Fresh Components: Slice cherry tomatoes into halves, introduce fresh mozzarella balls, and delicately scatter torn basil leaves throughout the mixture, establishing a vibrant flavor landscape.
5. Dress and Season: Drizzle extra virgin olive oil and balsamic glaze across the ensemble, then sprinkle sea salt and cracked black pepper to elevate the taste profile, ensuring balanced and harmonious seasoning.
6. Merge Ingredients: Tenderly fold all components together, maintaining the structural integrity of tortellini and preventing ingredient compression.
7. Chill and Develop: Refrigerate the salad for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing flavors to harmonize and intensify.
8. Final Presentation: Before serving, embellish with additional fresh basil, an extra cascade of balsamic glaze, and a delicate dusting of aged Parmesan cheese, transforming the dish into a sophisticated culinary creation.

Notes

• Prevent Pasta Overcooking: Watch tortellini closely during boiling, as overcooking leads to mushy texture and ruins the dish’s integrity.
• Chill Pasta Properly: Rinse with cold water immediately after cooking to stop the cooking process and maintain perfect al dente consistency.
• Balance Ingredient Proportions: Ensure equal distribution of tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil for harmonious flavor in every bite.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Let salad rest in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow ingredients to marinate and develop complex taste profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg