Description
This refreshing salad features fresh cheese tortellini tossed with basil pesto, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and red onion, all garnished with toasted pine nuts and basil leaves.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound fresh cheese tortellini
- 1/2 cup basil pesto
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini or mozzarella pearls), drained
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts (optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Tortellini: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the fresh cheese tortellini and cook according to package directions until they are al dente, usually about 2-4 minutes.
- Rinse and Cool: Drain the tortellini in a colander and rinse under cold running water until completely cool. Let it drain thoroughly.
- Prep Your Veggies and Cheese: Halve the cherry tomatoes, drain the fresh mozzarella balls, and thinly slice the red onion.
- Combine in a Large Bowl: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled tortellini, halved cherry tomatoes, drained mozzarella balls, and sliced red onion.
- Add the Pesto: Spoon a generous amount of basil pesto over the ingredients in the bowl, starting with about 1/2 cup.
- Gently Toss: Using a large spoon or rubber spatula, gently toss all the ingredients together until evenly coated in the pesto.
- Chill (Optional but Recommended): Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to an hour to allow the flavors to meld.
- Garnish and Serve: Before serving, give the salad another gentle toss and sprinkle with toasted pine nuts and fresh basil leaves for garnish.
Notes
- For added flavor, consider marinating the tortellini in a bit of olive oil and vinegar before combining with other ingredients.
- This salad can be a great side dish or a light main course.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: salad
- Method: mix
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 25mg