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cheese tortellini pesto pasta salad

(4 ratings)
WildfloursCottageKitchen avatar
Recipe by
Kelly Williams
@WildfloursCottageKitchen
Forked River, NJ

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 a lot, 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 addictive and you'll wish you'd made more when it's gone. Great for parties and picnics, too. This salad is best at room temp or even slightly warm.

(4 ratings)
yield 10 serving(s)
prep time 30 Min
cook time 20 Min
method Stove Top

Ingredients For cheese tortellini pesto pasta salad

  • 1 pkg
    cheese tortellini (20 oz)
  • 8 oz
    rotini pasta
  • 1 can
    artichocke hearts, drained and quartered (14 oz)
  • 1 pkg
    grape tomatoes, halved lengthwise (10 oz)
  • 1 can
    medium black olives, drained and halved lengthwise (6 oz)
  • 1 md
    green bell pepper, diced
  • 1/4 c
    grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 jar
    basil pesto (8 oz)
  • 1/2 tsp
    salt, more if needed
  • 2 tsp
    minced garlic
  • 12 oz
    good mozzarella cheese, cubed
  • 1/3 c
    extra virgin olive oil, more if needed

How To Make cheese tortellini pesto pasta salad

  • 1
    Cook pasta separately.
  • 2
    Drain.
  • 3
    Cool a bit and add to a large punch bowl or mixing bowl.
  • 4
    While the pasta is cooking, mix the remaining ingredients minus the olive oil.
  • 5
    Gently fold together the pasta with the rest of the ingredients.
  • 6
    Add the olive oil. Adjust seasonings to taste. Add more salt, Parmesan, etc. until it's to your liking.
  • 7
    Serve immediately or refrigerate. If serving this much later or the next day, you'll need to refresh this. Add a bit more olive oil, salt, and parmesan cheese before serving as the noodles suck up the oil and seasonings a bit.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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