Basil Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipes

EASY PESTO TORTELLINI PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add tortellini and cook for 1 and 1/2 minutes. Do not over cook!
• Drain and rinse under cold water until cool.
• Place tortellini in a large serving bowl. Add in pesto, tomatoes, cheese, and onion. Toss well to coat.
• Serve at once, or cover and place in the fridge for up to 5 days.

BASIL PESTO TORTELLINI PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Fill a large pan with water and season salt. Place the pan over high heat until boiling. Then add the tortellini to the hot water.
• Cook the tortellini pasta until tender (see instructions on the package). Tortellini are ready when they rise to the surface. Once the tortellini are cooked, drain them. If you are serving this salad cold: immediately refresh the cooked tortellini under cold running tap water to stop the cooking process. Let the (cooled) tortellini drain and then pour them in a large mixing bowl.
• Drizzle the tortellini with the fresh basil pesto.
• Stir the pasta salad well. Then chop up the fresh basil and add it to the pasta salad together with the crunchy pine nuts. Season with a dash of pepper and salt. Add a pinch of garlic powder as well.
• Add the salted capers, the black olives and a good drizzle of olive oil to the pasta salad.
• Stir the tortellini pasta salad well. Check the seasoning and add extra pepper, salt or garlic powder to taste if necessary. Then scoop the tortellini salad onto deep plates if you are serving it warm. Chill the pasta in the fridge for 15 minutes or longer if you are serving it cold.

TORTELLINI PESTO SALAD

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.