Tortellini Caprese Salad
Tortellini Caprese salad is quick, easy, and has only 6 ingredients! Start with the classics. Heirloom cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, fresh basil, olive oil, and balsamic dressing. Then toss in delicate and cheesy tortellini pasta. Yum!
What is Tortellini Caprese Salad?
Tortellini Caprese salad is a hearty twist on the classic Italian Caprese salad. This variation adds cheesy tortellini to the beloved tomato, mozzarella, and basil combo. Dress it with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar for a vibrant finish. This tortellini summer salad is so quick and easy to prepare! It makes a perfect light summer meal or side dish. It is also a wonderful take-along dish for BBQs, picnics, potlucks, and showers.
Ingredients
The ingredients for this tortellini Caprese are super simple. I recommend using the highest quality ingredients you can find.
I like using dried three cheese tortellini. You can also use fresh or frozen tortellini. Prepare according to package directions.
The best mozzarella to use is fresh mozzarella pearls. They are already bite-sized! Or, cut 8 ounces of fresh mozzarella into bite-sized pieces.
You want to source some vine-ripened heirloom cherry tomatoes for this. If you don’t want to use cherry tomatoes, you can substitute a large diced heirloom tomato.
You need fresh basil! Do not use dried in this recipe.
Last, dress this pasta salad with extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and kosher salt. The dressing is simple and lets the flavors shine. You’ll notice a flavor difference when you use high-quality oil and vinegar. Look for vinegar made from 100% grapes with no fillers. Epicurious has a good read for a more in-depth look at choosing balsamic vinegar.
Optional Toppings
- Drizzle it with balsamic glaze before serving for an extra burst of flavor.
- Add grilled chicken for a heartier option with more protein.
- Give it a swirl of homemade pesto.
- Add salt flakes for a subtle yet fancy garnish.
- Garnish with whole basil leaves.
Instructions
Cook the tortellini to al dente. Then rinse it under cold water and drain it.
Cut your tomatoes and basil. Half or quarter the tomatoes & thinly slice the basil leaves.
Add everything to a large bowl.
Stir to combine. Let it sit at room temperate for a few minutes before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Grow them yourself. My favorite seeds are from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company. We’ve been ordering from them for a couple decades!
Visit a local farm or a farmers market! If you have trouble finding one, check out www.usdalocalfoodportal.com/
Check your grocery store in late July or August. It will depend on the store. My small-town grocery store started sourcing produce from one of our local farms!
I highly recommend using fresh basil in this recipe. Dried basil will not work as a substitute. If you can’t find fresh basil, leave out the olive oil and fresh basil and use ½ cup of prepared pesto instead. If fresh herbs are hard to find in your area, try growing them in your garden or a small pot!
If you can find gluten-free tortellini, you can substitute it. Otherwise, you can swap out the tortellini for your favorite bite-sized gluten-free pasta. Rotini would be a good fit.
Serving Tips
- Enjoy it as a main dish for lunch or supper. Try adding a simple arugula salad for more veggies.
- It makes a great summer side dish.
- Pack it in a party bowl and take it to a bbq or potluck.
- Pack it up for a picnic.
More Summer Recipes
- Heirloom Tomato Caprese
- Veggie-loaded pasta salad
- Spicy Salmon Salad
- Caprese Crostini with Balsamic Glaze
- Italian Grinder Pasta Salad
Did you try this tortellini Caprese? Let me know in the comments!
Get the Recipe
PrintTortellini Caprese Salad
Tortellini Caprese salad features cheesy tortellini, heirloom cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, basil, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: about 9 cups 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Toss
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 12-ounce package of dried cheese tortellini
- 1–pint heirloom cherry tomatoes
- 8 ounces of mozzarella pearls
- 1 cup fresh basil (leaves only)
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- More salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the tortellini in salted boiling water to al dente. Use the package instructions to determine the cooking time. Rinse the cooked tortellini under cold running water to cool. Drain completely.
- While the tortellini is cooking, prepare your ingredients. Cut the tomatoes in halves or quarters*. Thinly slice the basil leaves. Measure out your olive oil, vinegar, and salt.
- Add the drained and cooled tortellini to a large bowl. Add the mozzarella, basil, olive oil, vinegar, and kosher salt to a large bowl. Stir to combine everything. Be careful not to break the tortellini. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Allow to sit at room temperature for a few minutes. This will give the tomatoes and tortellini time to marinate in the balsamic dressing. Stir again before serving.
Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days.
Notes
*Halve or quarter the tomatoes, depending on their size.
Optional toppings
- Drizzle it with balsamic glaze before serving for an extra burst of flavor.
- Add grilled chicken for a heartier option with more protein.
- Garnish with whole basil leaves.
- Add salt flakes for a subtle yet fancy garnish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: about 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 495
- Sugar: 5.3 g
- Sodium: 813 mg
- Fat: 34.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 4.7 g
- Protein: 17.1 g
- Cholesterol: 75.4 mg
I made this over the weekend and I was delicious! I had to substitute the tortellini with cheese ravioli because our grocery store was out and I also used my garden tomatoes and cut them into small pieces. It was still wonderful! Thanks for the recipe!!
Amanda,
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe! Cheese ravioli and garden tomatoes sound wonderful!