Caprese Pasta Cheese Tortellini Salad
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Caprese Pasta Cheese Tortellini Salad
This Caprese Pasta Cheese Tortellini Salad is an absolute summer delight! Imagine tender cheese tortellini, creamy mozzarella balls, juicy cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil all mingling together in a luscious homemade creamy Caesar dressing. It's the perfect blend of flavors and textures, making it ideal for potlucks or a refreshing weeknight dinner! Vegan + Gluten-free Option.
There's something seriously amazing about mixing classic salads with pasta, especially when it's cheese-filled tortellini! Inspired by my Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad recipe, this Caprese Pasta Cheese Tortellini Salad version is packed with super fresh flavors, cheesy goodness, and crunchy croutons that take it to the next level!
This dish is the perfect side but hearty enough for a meal on its own! With just a handful of ingredients, you'll want to add it to your list of summer rotation. In my experience, pasta salad is always the first to disappear at any barbecue (Including mac + cheese and potato salad)—people LOVE their carbs. Including me y'all ---- I'm one of those people who could live on pasta morning, noon, and night! Haha.
If you're searching for more salad inspiration, definitely try my Spicy Watermelon Salad, Smashed Cucumber Salad, Easy Herb Tomato Salad, and Buffalo Chicken Cobb Salad next!
Jump to:
- What Is Caprese Salad?
- What Is Caprese Pasta Cheese Tortellini Salad?
- Ingredients For Caprese Pasta Cheese Tortellini Salad
- Why You Will LOVE This Caprese Pasta Cheese Tortellini Salad
- Add In Options for Caprese Tortellini Salad
- What to Serve with Caprese Tortellini Salad
- How To Make Caprese Pasta Cheese Tortellini Salad Ahead Of Time?
- Can I Make This Tortellini Salad Vegan?
- Can I Add Other Greens?
- Can I Use Different Types Of Tortellini or Pasta?
- Caprese Pasta Cheese Tortellini Salad Q + A's
- More Healthy Salad Recipes
- MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
- Caprese Pasta Cheese Tortellini Salad
What Is Caprese Salad?
Caprese Salad is an Italian dish made with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese + basil, all drizzled with olive oil and seasoned with salt & pepper. It's simple, colorful, and perfect as a refreshing starter or side dish
What Is Caprese Pasta Cheese Tortellini Salad?
Caprese Pasta Cheese Tortellini Salad is my fun twist on the traditional Caprese Salad. Imagine cheese-stuffed tortellini mixed with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, all tossed in a creamy ceaser dressing. It’s a heartier version of the classic, perfect for when you want something a bit more filling. Trust me, it’s a crowd-pleaser and a go-to for any gathering!
Ingredients For Caprese Pasta Cheese Tortellini Salad
I love that you can cook the tortellini + make the creamy Caesar dressing ahead of time. This way, when you're ready to serve, you can just toss everything together and keep the other ingredients fresh!
PASTA SALAD:
- Cheese tortellini. Feel free to use your favorite type + filling.
- Organic arugula. Adds a nice peppery bite.
- Cherry or grape tomatoes. Halved for a burst of sweetness.
- Mozzarella balls. These add such a creamy deliciousness.
- Fresh basil leaves. Roughly chopped!
- Croutons. Homemade or store-bought! See my how to make croutons recipe!
CREAMY CAESAR DRESSING:
- Mayonnaise. I love using Chosen Foods 100% Avocado Oil-Based. It is super creamy and smooth but feel free to add your fave if you prefer.
- Garlic cloves. Minced.
- Lemon. Freshly-squeezed.
- Dijon mustard. This adds a nice tanginess to the dressing.
- Worcestershire sauce. My favorite is from Annies.
- Parmesan cheese. Freshly grated is best.
- Sea salt + black pepper. To taste.
SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR BAKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS CAPRESE SALAD!
Here, I’ve curated a list of baking + cooking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite dishes, especially with this Caprese Pasta Cheese Tortellini Salad. Everything from my knives, cutting boards, bowls, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
Why You Will LOVE This Caprese Pasta Cheese Tortellini Salad
- Best of both worlds ---- Combines the flavors of Caprese salad with the heartiness of tortellini!!
- Creamy + totally luscious in texture with yummy croutons for a crunch!
- The perfect balance of tangy + savory notes
- Travel-friendly --- Ideal for bringing to BBQs, picnics, or potlucks.
- Totally customizable! Easily made to be gluten-free, dairy-free + vegan!
Add In Options for Caprese Tortellini Salad
While this Caprese Pasta Cheese Tortellini Salad is perfect as is---I definitely wanted to give options if you make this more than once and want to switch things up from time to time!
OTHER INGREDIENT IDEAS INCLUDE:
- Roasted chickpeas
- Grilled or shredded chicken for extra protein
- Avocado slices for creaminess
- Artichoke hearts for a tangy twist
- Olives for a briny bite
- Candied bacon for a little sweetness!
- Prosciutto for a salty, savory touch.
- Herb roasted tomatoes.
- Beans (like White beans, Kidney beans, etc.)
What to Serve with Caprese Tortellini Salad
This Caprese Tortellini Salad not only makes a delightful spring and summer dinner option with its fresh flavors, but it also shines as a beautiful side dish at potlucks and BBQs. Here are some of my favorite accompaniments to serve alongside it:
- Serve warm slices of garlic bread
- Other refreshing salads like quinoa salad, cobb salad or corn salad
- Parmesan Herb Crusted Roasted Potatoes ---- Trust me they go with EVERYTHING. Haha.
- Chicken --- Whether it be Crispy baked chicken tenders or jamaican jerk chicken!
- For a complete feast, serve it with a meat main like steak or lamb
- And definitely have some Southern Peach Iced Tea or Lemonade on hand to wash it all down!
How To Make Caprese Pasta Cheese Tortellini Salad Ahead Of Time?
The tortellini pasta can be cooked in advance and creamy caesar dressing can be prepared and stored separately in an airtight container in the fridge. You can chop the salad ingredients up to 30 minutes before serving, but it's best to add the tomatoes, mozzarella, croutons, and arugula right before serving to keep them fresh!
Can I Make This Tortellini Salad Vegan?
Absolutely! To make this pasta salad entirely dairy-free or vegan, simply substitute the tortellini with a vegan version. Also, substitute mozzarella balls with dairy-free feta cheese or parmesan. Lastly, see my Caesar Salad for vegan Caesar Dressing option!
Can I Add Other Greens?
If you want to mix things up, feel free to add some greens like Romaine lettuce, kale, mustard greens, microgreens, spinach, or collard greens. They add such great flavor and texture, making the salad even more delicious and fun!
Can I Use Different Types Of Tortellini or Pasta?
Absolutely! While cheese tortellini is a great choice, you can use other types of tortellini like spinach and ricotta, mushroom, or chicken tortellini for different flavors. If you prefer, you can also use other pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, or farfalle.
Caprese Pasta Cheese Tortellini Salad Q + A's
Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days, depending on the ingredients. Always determine the ingredients in your salad and keep it no longer than the shelf life of your fastest-spoiling ingredient.
Yes, store-bought Caesar dressing works just fine if you're short on time.
To make this salad GF-friendly, just ensure that the pasta is GF-friendly as well as any ingredients in the dressing that may be needed.
Yes, you can! If you prefer a warm salad, simply toss the cooked tortellini with the other ingredients while it's still warm. The cheese will get a bit melty and delicious.
Fresh mozzarella balls are the best for this salad. They have a great texture and flavor that pairs perfectly with the other ingredients.
To prevent the salad from getting soggy, keep the dressing separate until you're ready to serve. Toss everything together just before serving for the best texture.
More Healthy Salad Recipes
Now that you've fallen in love with Caprese Pasta Cheese Tortellini Salad recipe, put to good use your remaining produce with these great salad recipes:
- Best Lemon Pepper Chicken Chopped Salad
- Ultimate Summer BBQ Chopped Kale Salad
- Roasted Cauliflower Green Goddess Salad
- Baked Jamaican Jerk Chicken Salad
- Healthy Loaded Kale Salad with Spicy Chickpeas
- Quick + Easy Blood Orange Kale Salad
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
If you tried Caprese Pasta Cheese Tortellini Salad recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!
Caprese Pasta Cheese Tortellini Salad
Ingredients
PASTA SALAD:
- 1 (8 oz.) package cheese tortellini, organic
- 1 bunch organic arugula (That's about 4-5 cups)
- 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups mozarella balls (See Notes for more details)
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
- 2 cups croutons, homemade or store-bought
CREAMY CAESAR DRESSING:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ lemon, freshly-squeezed
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup freshly-grated parmesan cheese
- sea salt + black pepper, to taste
Instructions
BOIL THE PASTA:
- Begin by cooking tortellini pasta according to the directions of the packaging (about 3-4 minutes) and drain. Set aside.
TO MAKE THE CAESAR DRESSING:
- Add the mayo, minced garlic, lemon juice, dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, grated parmesan, salt + black pepper into bowl and whisk until everything becomes smooth and creamy. NOTE: If you don't want garlic bits in your dressing, you can add everything to a high-powered blender and blend until smooth.
TO ASSEMBLE THE SALAD:
- In a bowl, add the arugula, cooled + cooked tortellini, halved tomatoes, mozzarella balls, croutons, and basil leaves, and the Caesar dressing, tossing everything together. NOTE: You can add the dressing to the salad when tossing OR set aside until serving, if desired.
- To serve, add the salad to your bowl(s) and add grated parmesan, if desired.
- Bon Appetit!
Tips & Tricks
- STORAGE: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days, depending on the ingredients. Always determine the ingredients in your salad and keep it no longer than the shelf life of your fastest-spoiling ingredient.
- GLUTEN-FREE OPTION: To make this salad GF-friendly, just ensure that the pasta is GF-friendly as well as any ingredients in the dressing that may be needed.
- VEGAN OPTION: To make this pasta salad entirely dairy-free or vegan, simply substitute the tortellini with a vegan version. Also, substitute mozzarella balls with dairy-free feta cheese or parmesan. Lastly, see my Caesar Salad for vegan Caesar Dressing option.
- GREENS: If preferred, you can always add greens like Romaine lettuce, Arugula, Mustard Greens, Microgreens, Spinach or Collard Greens to this salad for added flavor + texture.
- TOMATOES: For a bolder flavor, you can roast your tomatoes using my Herb Roasted Tomatoes recipe.
- MOZZARELLA BALLS: If you can't find actual fresh mozzarella balls, you can use an 8oz. fresh mozzarella and cut into small chunks.
Nutrition
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