Caprese Tortellini Salad

Caprese salad is one of my favorite pasta salads, and a simple side dish to make.


When fresh tortellini goes on sale, I always have this recipe in mind to make.


I have loads of fresh basil growing in my garden here in Florida and besides making pesto with it this is the next best way to use it up.


This caprese tortellini salad is perfect for outdoor barbecues and I have to admit, it's very pretty to serve with the green and red colors around the Christmas holiday too!


Mom always made her Tortellini homemade by hand.

She also made delicious Steak cutlets Caprese and often topped toasted bread called Bruschetta with similar ingredients added on top.

The combination of dressing over tomatoes and mozzarella is great with so many ways to prepare the two.

Scroll down to the bottom to print off this super yummy recipe.

I am sure you will make this pretty salad over and over again!

Not Just for Summer Salad!

When the classic flavor of a fresh Caprese salad combines with tender, cheesy tortellini pasta, pure magic happens.


The weather is still a crazy here is Florida between our Hurricanes, with cool rain then it turns to extremely hot and sunny in the blink of an eye.


What better way to keep summer alive than with a flavorful salad right?


It's great all year round!

Making this for a Crowd?

Parties, graduations, holidays, and even game day, this caprese salad is the perfect side dish.


You can double the recipe and make as much as you need.


And yes, you can use any kind of pasta you like or have available, we just love tortellini!

Make this Ahead of Time?

Did I mention this pasta taste better as it sits in the refrigerator with dressing?


Make the pasta the day before and just add the fresh basil and tomatoes before serving.

Ingredients For Caprese Tortellini Salad

• Fresh tortellini
• Italian dressing
• Plum tomatoes cubed or grape tomatoes
• Basil leaves, fresh
• Mozzarella cut into cubes
• Salt, pepper
• Italian Homemade Salad Dressing
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Balsamic Vinegar or use Red Wine Vinegar
• Fresh lemon juice
• Fresh basil leaves, parsley chopped, oregano,
• Cloves finely minced garlic
• Dash cayenne pepper,
• Salt and black pepper 
• Romano cheese

Tip:

• Use only fresh pasta
• Overcooked pasta will burst and the filling will escape
• Always salt the water when making the pasta
• Always tear the basil with your hands, chopping with a knife turns it brown
• The pasta tastes better with the dressing on it overnight then add the tomatoes and torn basil at the end
• You can use any kind of pasta you like, we also have substituted mini ravioli for this recipe
• Other dressings that are bottled can be substituted: IE Peppercorn Parmesan or other creamy Italian styles

The Pasta

I prefer to use fresh from the dairy case pasta.


They also sell it frozen or you can also make your own homemade.


Just don't use the dry from the box kind, they really don't absorb the flavors very well at all!


This recipe calls for the pasta to be boiled first, drain, and then continue on with the recipe.


One thing to stress upon, if you like overcooked soft or mushy pasta that's your preference, we like ours cooked with a little bite to it called al dente.


I often find if you cook tortellini too long, it will burst open in the water, so just a word of caution.


Just cook your pasta to package instructions times to your preference.


Just scroll all the way to the recipe card that's printable for easier reading ability.

Caprese Tortellini Salad

1 pound fresh tortellini, cooked
Italian dressing
1 pound plum tomatoes cubed ( I also take the skins off see notes below) or 1 pint of grape tomatoes cut in half
10 basil leaves, torn with your hands (a knife will brown the leaves)
1 cup mozzarella pearls or sliced whole mozzarella cut into cubes
Salt & pepper

Pin Caprese Tortellini Salad

Italian Homemade Salad Dressing Recipe:

1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/4 cup good grade Balsamic Vinegar or use Red Wine Vinegar
4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoons each of fresh preferred, (dried when not available) basil leaves, parsley chopped, oregano,
2 cloves finely minced garlic or 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
dash cayenne pepper,
salt and black pepper to taste,
2 tablespoons grated Romano cheese


Mix all ingredients above for dressing in a bowl and whisk to blend together.


Prepare tortellini according to package instructions, we like them al dente, cook longer for softer pasta.
Drain.
Make the dressing.
Toss cooked tortellini in the dressing.
Stir in tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella pearls.
Season with salt & pepper.

Other Great Salad Recipes to Try:

Watermelon Salad

Beet Salad

Butternut Squash Salad

Caprese Portabello

Italian Potato Salad

Insalata Caprese Salad

Tuscan Panzanella Salad

Pretty Salad

Perfect for Christmas isn't it?


The color are bright and just shout holiday.


Don't let this Caprese Tortellini Salad just be your summer go-to salad, make it all year round!

Caprese Tortellini Salad

Yield: 8

Author: Claudia Lamascolo

prep time: 15 Mcook time: total time: 15 M

This is a simple pasta salad I love to make for picnics and side dishes when I don't want to worry about things being heated up. The salad is cold with a delicious homemade Italian dressing over the pasta, tomatoes and fresh basil. The best part for me, cubed whole milk mozzarella, this is a winner salad for any meat and perfect side dish. It also looks fabulous on a holiday table with a colorful red and green for Christmas.

ingredients:

• 1 pound tortellini, cooked
• Italian dressing
• 1 pound plum tomatoes cubed ( I also take the skins off see notes below) or 1 pint of grape tomatoes cut in half
• 10 basil leaves, torn with your hands (a knife will brown the leaves)
• 1 cup mozzarella pearls or sliced whole mozzarella cut into cubes
• Salt & pepper
• Italian Homemade Salad Dressing Recipe:
• 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1/4 cup good grade Balsamic Vinegar or use Red Wine Vinegar
• 4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoons each of fresh preferred, (dried when not available) basil leaves, parsley chopped, oregano,
• 2 cloves finely minced garlic or 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
• dash cayenne pepper,
• salt and black pepper to taste,
• 2 tablespoons grated Romano cheese

instructions:

How to cook Caprese Tortellini Salad

1. For the dressing:
2. Mix all ingredients above for dressing in a bowl and whisk to blend together.
3. Set aside.
4. For the pasta:
5. Prepare tortellini according to package instructions, we like them al dente, cook longer for softer pasta and always salt the water.
6. Drain.
7. Make the dressing.
8. Toss cooked tortellini in the dressing.
9. Stir in tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella pearls.
10. Season with salt & pepper.

Calories
117

Fat (grams)
17

Sat. Fat (grams)
7

Carbs (grams)
11

Net carbs
9

Sugar (grams)
5

tortellini salad, pasta salad, caprese tortellini salad, salad, Italian salad, Italian pasta salad

salad, pasta recipes, Italian salad, vegetable

Italian American

Created using The Recipes Generator

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Watch My Quick Video on Caprese Tortellini Salad