Are you looking for a fresh and flavorful salad recipe that's perfect for a summer picnic or a light and delicious lunch? Look no further than pesto tortellini salad! This colorful and vibrant dish combines tender tortellini, aromatic pesto sauce, juicy tomatoes, crunchy vegetables, and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese for a symphony of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, this pesto tortellini salad is a culinary delight that anyone can master, making it an ideal choice for both seasoned chefs and kitchen novices alike. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey and discover the secrets to crafting the ultimate pesto tortellini salad that will leave you craving more.
Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!
TORTELLINI PESTO SALAD
Wonderful pasta salad. So different from the Italian dressing pasta salads. Very hearty side dish or main dish for lunch. Crunchy veggies and rich pesto sauce.
Provided by Jenny Saunders
Categories Salad Vegetable Salad Recipes
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Place tortellini in the pot, and cook for 7 to 8 minutes, until al dente. Drain, and cool.
- In a large bowl, mix the cooked tortellini, red bell pepper, broccoli, carrots, olives, and garlic.
- In a separate bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, pesto, milk, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and vinegar. Pour over the tortellini and vegetables, and gently toss to coat. Cover, and place in the refrigerator 1 hour, until chilled. Serve over spinach leaves.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 382.8 calories, Carbohydrate 26.1 g, Cholesterol 31.3 mg, Fat 27.3 g, Fiber 3.5 g, Protein 11.2 g, SaturatedFat 6.2 g, Sodium 614.6 mg, Sugar 3.1 g
PESTO TORTELLINI SALAD
"I came up with this recipe when I tried recreating a pasta salad I had at a wedding rehearsal," says Danielle Weets of Grandview, Washington. "It's easy to make and I'm always asked to bring it to potlucks and parties."
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 20m
Yield 5 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Cook tortellini according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. Place in a small bowl. Add remaining ingredients; toss to coat.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 376 calories, Fat 20g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 36mg cholesterol, Sodium 832mg sodium, Carbohydrate 31g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 19g protein.
LAYERED TORTELLINI PESTO CHICKEN SALAD
Loads of flavor in seven lovely layers!
Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Lunch
Time 2h40m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Cook tortellini as directed on package, adding peas during last 4 minutes of cook time. Drain; rinse immediately with cold water. Pat with paper towels to remove moisture.
- In 3- or 4-quart clear bowl, layer the lettuce, the carrots, chicken, peas, the tortellini, and bell pepper.
- In small bowl, mix mayonnaise, pesto and buttermilk. Spread over peppers; sprinkle with parsley. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours until chilled or overnight. Stir just before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 330, Carbohydrate 24 g, Cholesterol 50 mg, Fat 2 1/2, Fiber 3 g, Protein 17 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 440 mg, Sugar 5 g, TransFat 0 g
PESTO TORTELLINI CHICKEN SALAD
If you love pesto, you'll love it even more mixed with fresh veggies and chicken in this good-for-you summer salad. -Edie DeSpain. Logan, Utah
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 40m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Cook tortellini according to package directions, adding peas during the last 4-5 minutes of cooking. Drain and rinse in cold water., In a large glass bowl, layer romaine, carrots, chicken, tortellini and peas, and red pepper. In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, pesto and buttermilk. Spread over top. Sprinkle with parsley. Refrigerate until chilled.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 337 calories, Fat 13g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 62mg cholesterol, Sodium 525mg sodium, Carbohydrate 32g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
TORTELLINI, CHICKEN AND PESTO SALAD
Steps:
- Preparation: 1) You may want to skip this step. I have found that I like to dry my cherry tomatoes a bit by placing them in a low heat oven-250 or so-for around an hour or more until the moisture is reduced. If the tomatoes are good this will concentrate their flavor and reduce the moisture. After the tomatoes are done you can toast the walnuts at 350. They should be done in ten minutes or so. Watch them closely. They should have a nice light crunch. 2) The next step is to blanch the green beans. I multi-task and use the same pot that I will boil the pasta. You will want them to still retain some crunch. I usually find this is about 4 minutes. Run them under cold water and set them aside so that they can dry off. I often toss them in a freezer while I am cooking the pasta. 3) Cook the pasta according to the package directions, but pull back a bit at the end. The pasta has to cool down and it will soften more as the salad mellows. 4) While the pasta is cooking prepare the chicken into small bite size chunks. 5) Mix the vegetables, chicken and pasta together. Mix the pesto and the mayonaise and lightly stir in the pasta mixture. Add the nuts. Taste and adjust seasonings, adding more pesto and mayonnaise as needed. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Best served within 24 hours.
CHEESE TORTELLINI PESTO PASTA SALAD
This is my favorite way to make (and eat!) pasta salad in the whole world! I have been making it for years and always get asked for my recipe. So happy to share it with you all! *It makes alot, I'll warn ya, but you can make a smaller version by omitting the rotini and adding half the rest of the ingredients...but... it's highly...
Provided by Kelly Williams
Categories Salads
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- 1. Cook pastas, set aside to cool a bit.
- 2. In large bowl or punch bowl, add rest of ingredients folding gently til well mixed.
- 3. Gently fold in pastas well.
- 4. Adjust seasonings to taste, meaning, add more salt, parmesan, etc., til it's to your own liking.
- 5. Serve immediately, or refrigerate.
- 6. *If serving this much later or the next day, you'll need to "refresh" this. Just add a bit more olive oil, salt and parmesan cheese before serving as the noodles suck up the oil and seasonings a bit.
- 7. *This salad is best room temp or even slightly warm.
TORTELLINI PESTO SALAD
Went to a BBQ and literally just used whatever I could find in the kitchen to throw together a quick and easy side dish. I now make it almost every BBQ we go to!
Provided by Christine M.
Categories Pasta Sides
Time 15m
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- 1. Cook the pasta according to the package; set aside.
- 2. Meanwhile, dice bell peppers and onion into small pieces. Quarter the tomatoes.
- 3. Mix pasta, pesto (start with 1/4 cup), and vegetables in a large bowl. Add more pesto, if desired. Add crushed red peppers and black pepper.
- 4. Cool in fridge for at least one hour before serving.
Tips:
- Select the Freshest Ingredients: Use fresh basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and cherry tomatoes to achieve the best flavor and texture.
- Make Your Own Basil Pesto: Homemade pesto ensures the best quality and allows you to control the ingredients and flavors.
- Choose High-Quality Tortellini: Opt for fresh or frozen tortellini stuffed with cheese, meat, or vegetables for a satisfying salad base.
- Use a Variety of Vegetables: Incorporate a mix of vegetables like bell peppers, cucumbers, and red onions for added color, crunch, and flavor.
- Dress the Salad Lightly: Drizzle the salad with just enough pesto dressing to coat the ingredients without overpowering them.
- Season to Taste: Adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, and additional lemon juice or vinegar, if desired.
- Let the Salad Marinate: Allow the salad to marinate for at least 30 minutes before serving to enhance the flavors.
- Serve with Fresh Herbs and Cheese: Garnish the salad with fresh basil, parsley, or chives, and sprinkle with Parmesan or crumbled feta cheese.
Conclusion:
Pesto tortellini salad is a flavorful and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a light lunch, a refreshing side salad, or as part of a larger meal. With its vibrant colors, delightful textures, and harmonious blend of flavors, this salad is sure to impress your taste buds. Experiment with different pesto variations, tortellini fillings, and vegetable combinations to create a unique and satisfying salad that suits your preferences. Whether you're hosting a summer barbecue, packing a lunch for work or school, or simply looking for a quick and easy meal, pesto tortellini salad is an excellent choice that is both delicious and nutritious.
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