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Fresh Pesto Tortellini Salad

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A quick and easy summer side dish featuring cheese tortellini tossed with fresh pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil. Perfect for warm weather gatherings and ready in under 10 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
  • 1/2 cup pesto sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (oil-packed preferred, drained)
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped or torn
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1–2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (optional, to drizzle)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts or walnuts (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of cheese tortellini and cook according to package instructions until al dente (3-5 minutes fresh, 8-10 minutes frozen).
  2. Drain the tortellini in a colander and rinse briefly under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta.
  3. While pasta cooks, chop sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil. Toast pine nuts or walnuts in a dry skillet over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and golden.
  4. Transfer cooled tortellini to a large bowl. Add 1/2 cup pesto sauce and toss gently to coat evenly. Drizzle 1-2 tablespoons olive oil if pesto is too thick.
  5. Fold in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil.
  6. Sprinkle 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese over the salad. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Add 1 tablespoon lemon juice if desired and toss lightly.
  7. Serve immediately or chill in the fridge for up to 2 days. Toss before serving to redistribute flavors.

Notes

Do not overcook tortellini to avoid mushy texture. Rinse pasta under cold water to stop cooking and keep salad fresh. Use good-quality pesto for best flavor. Toast nuts gently to avoid burning. Season gradually with salt and pepper. Toss salad just before serving for best texture. Store pesto separately if making ahead.

Nutrition

Keywords: pesto tortellini salad, summer salad, easy pasta salad, sun-dried tomatoes, quick side dish, vegetarian pasta salad

Find it online: https://lirafood.com/fresh-pesto-tortellini-salad-recipe-easy-5-minute-summer-side-dish/