Caprese Tortellini Pasta Salad is cheese-filled tortellini mixed with classic caprese ingredients such as tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil, topped with a tangy balsamic vinaigrette dressing. I also have a Chicken Caprese Salad you will want to try!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Tortellini: Cook the tortellini according to package instructions. Then, let it cool completely before assembling the salad. I used cheese-filled tortellini, but you could try it with other varieties of tortellini, too! If preferred, you could also make the salad with other kinds of pasta like penne, rigatoni, cavatappi, or make homemade pasta!
Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes add a burst of bright color that really stands out in the pasta salad. Grape tomatoes or Roma tomatoes would also be a good choice for the salad.
Onions: For their milder and sweeter flavor, I used a red onion. However, you could always choose your favorite type of onion.
Mozzarella: Look for mozzarella pearls to add to the salad. This is fresh mozzarella that adds a wonderful texture and appearance to the salad. It also has much more moisture when compared to shredded cheese. If using shredded mozzarella, it will work, but it will affect the overall presentation of the dish and won’t be as smooth and creamy.
Dressing: The dressing is a delicious blend of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Fresh Basil: With basil being a key ingredient in Caprese recipes, I cut it into ribbons to add it as garnish.
How To Cut Basil Into Ribbons
Cutting basil into ribbons, known as ‘chiffonade’, is a visually appealing way to present the basil (and other leafy greens and herbs) in a salad. To cut basil leaves into ribbons, follow these easy steps:
- First, stack the washed and dried basil leaves.
- Next, roll the stack of leaves into a tight cylinder.
- Using a sharp knife, thinly slice across the roll of leaves. Aim for thin ribbons, about 1/8 to 1/4-inch wide. You can adjust the width according to your preference and the dish you’re preparing.
- Once you’ve sliced through the roll, carefully separate the ribbons with your fingers. You’ll end up with beautiful, delicate strips of greens!
Can I Make The Salad Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can get the salad made in advance. In fact, I highly recommend letting the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour after it has been mixed. Letting it chill for a while gives all of the ingredients time to meld, giving you a full-flavored bite every time! You could also get the tortellini and dressing made ahead of time so they are ready to go when you are ready to make the salad.
Can I Add Protein to the Caprese Tortellini Salad?
Absolutely! To make the salad more substantial and filling, there are a few protein options you could add. Here are some suggestions:
- Sliced or diced grilled chicken breasts
- Cooked and chilled shrimp
- Crumbled, cooked Italian sausage
- Cooked chickpeas
- Tofu
How To Store Caprese Tortellini Pasta Salad
To store caprese tortellini pasta salad, cover the bowl or keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last up to 3-4 days. When serving, do not let the salad sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Caprese Tortellini Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 package (19 ounces) cheese tortellini, cooked according to package instructions, cooled completely
- 2 cups (298 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup (80 g) thinly sliced red onion, about ½ an onion
- 8 ounces (226 g) mozzarella pearls
Dressing
- ¼ cup (54 g) extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- fresh basil, cut in ribbons, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine cooked and cooled tortellini, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and mozzarella pearls.
Dressing
- To a small bowl, add olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk to combine.
- Pour dressing over the tortellini mixture, stirring to combine. Garnish with fresh basil.
- This salad can be enjoyed immediately but is best served after chilling in the refrigerator for about an hour.
Did you make this recipe?
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What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
I don't think I would ever turn away a caprese-style recipe. I love the tangy flavor of balsamic vinegar mixed with fresh tomatoes, onions, and pearls of mozzarella. This would be a great cold pasta salad to bring to a summer BBQ!
Elizabeth
This salad is a classic blend of Caprese ingredients with a delicious balsamic vinaigrette dressing. It gives me summertime vibes, but I could eat this any time of the year.
Rachael
I love the flavor of Caprese! Basil, balsamic vinegar, and mozzarella are such a classic flavor combination. It is a great addition to the tortellini salad!
Annabelle
This is such a fun twist on classic pasta salads! The tortellini really makes this stand on its own, and the flavors go together so well!
Bella
I really enjoy the flavor combination in this pasta salad! It tastes fresh and light. Tortellini is also a great way to elevate classic pasta salad!
Selena
So many fresh summery vibes in this salad. I could eat regular Caprese salad any day and adding the tortellini to this just takes it to a whole 'nother level!
