Description

This Summer Tortellini Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish combining tender cheese tortellini, shredded chicken, fresh cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, roasted red bell peppers, and aromatic basil pesto. Tossed with extra-virgin olive oil and garnished with fresh basil, it’s perfect for warm weather meals and can be prepared ahead for convenience.

Ingredients

Pasta and Protein

2 (10 ounce) packages cheese tortellini, prepared according to package instructions
2 cups shredded chicken

Vegetables and Cheese

1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
8 ounces fresh mozzarella pearls
1 cup roasted red bell peppers, chopped into ½-inch pieces

Dressing and Garnish

1 cup basil pesto
1½ tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Fresh basil, thinly sliced for garnish

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Instructions

Cook the tortellini: Prepare the cheese tortellini according to the package instructions. Typically, this involves boiling the tortellini in salted water for about 3-5 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked tortellini, shredded chicken, halved cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella pearls, chopped roasted red bell peppers, basil pesto, and extra-virgin olive oil. Toss everything together gently to evenly coat with the pesto and oil.
Refrigerate: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad. This can be done up to one day ahead to allow the flavors to meld together.
Serve and garnish: When ready to serve, remove the pasta salad from the refrigerator and top with thinly sliced fresh basil for a fragrant and colorful finish. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

This salad can be made up to one day in advance for convenience and better flavor integration.
Use fresh basil pesto for the best flavor, or substitute with store-bought pesto if needed.
Roasted red peppers can be prepared at home by roasting fresh peppers or purchased pre-roasted and jarred.
Feel free to add toasted pine nuts or sliced black olives to add texture and extra flavor.
For a vegetarian version, omit the shredded chicken or replace it with a plant-based protein.