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Vibrant Caprese Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe

Vibrant Caprese Tortellini Pasta Salad


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4.6 from 25 reviews

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

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
  • 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)

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