Sunny Italian Tortellini Caprese Salad Recipe for Summer Joy

Summer’s warmth calls for a delightful tortellini caprese salad that blends Italian classics with fresh, vibrant ingredients.

Cheese-filled tortellini dance alongside juicy tomatoes and creamy mozzarella in this Mediterranean-inspired dish.

Basil leaves add a fragrant touch, while a drizzle of balsamic glaze brings tangy sophistication.

Each forkful promises a harmony of textures and flavors that sing of sunny afternoons.

The recipe comes together effortlessly, requiring minimal cooking and maximum enjoyment.

Serve this colorful salad as a quick lunch or elegant side that transports you straight to an Italian coastline.

You’ll fall in love with this simple yet spectacular summer sensation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 min

Cook Time: 10 min

Total Time: 25 min

Calories: 480 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Tortellini Caprese Salad

• Tortellini: Cheese-filled pasta that adds delightful texture and rich flavor, choose fresh or vacuum-sealed for optimal taste and tenderness.

• Spinach, Tomatoes, Basil: Vibrant greens and juicy tomatoes bring crisp freshness, selecting ripe, locally sourced produce enhances the salad's brightness.
• Garlic: Aromatic punch that adds depth, opt for firm, plump cloves without green sprouts for maximum flavor intensity.

• Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar: Mediterranean liquid gold that creates silky coating, choose extra virgin olive oil and aged balsamic for complex, smooth undertones.
• Italian Seasoning, Salt, Pepper: Herb blend and classic seasonings that elevate the overall taste profile, use freshly ground pepper for zesty kick.
• Balsamic Glaze: Optional luxurious drizzle that adds sweet-tangy complexity, select authentic reduced balsamic for glossy finish.

• Mozzarella: Creamy, soft cheese that provides dreamy texture, select fresh buffalo or cow's milk mozzarella for ultimate melt-in-mouth experience.

Tools for Tossing Caprese Pasta Salad

• Large pot: For boiling tortellini with plenty of water.
• Colander: To drain and rinse tortellini quickly.
• Cutting board: Perfect for chopping fresh ingredients.
• Sharp knife: Essential for precise vegetable and herb preparation.
• Medium to large mixing bowl: Combines all salad ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring spoons: Helps add precise amounts of seasonings.
• Wooden spoon or tongs: Great for tossing and mixing salad ingredients.

Steps to Prep Tortellini Caprese Salad

• Pasta Preparation

Boil tortellini until perfectly tender, ensuring a delightful al dente texture that will make your taste buds dance with joy.

• Fresh Ingredient Gathering

Chop vibrant tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fragrant basil, and zesty garlic into bite-sized pieces that promise maximum flavor in every forkful.

• Salad Assembly

Combine the cooled tortellini with crisp spinach and chopped ingredients in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a colorful medley of Mediterranean goodness.

• Flavor Infusion

Drizzle olive oil and balsamic vinegar over the salad, sprinkling Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to elevate the dish’s taste profile.

• Chill and Serve

Refrigerate the salad to let flavors mingle and develop. Before serving, give it a gentle toss and add a luxurious balsamic glaze drizzle for extra pizzazz.

• Storage

Keep the salad fresh in an airtight container, enjoying its delectable flavors for up to five days in the refrigerator.

Tips for Cheese, Tomatoes & Basil Additions

• Spread cooked tortellini on a baking sheet to cool faster and prevent sticking, ensuring perfect texture for your salad.
• Prepare the salad a day in advance to let flavors meld together, creating an even more delicious dish that tastes better with time.
• Boost the salad's nutrition by adding grilled chicken, crispy pancetta, or cannellini beans for a heartier meal option.
• Replace fresh tomatoes with roasted cherry tomatoes during winter months for a deeper, sweeter flavor profile that keeps the dish exciting.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like burrata, ricotta salata, or crumbled goat cheese to add unique textures and tastes to the classic caprese combination.

How to Serve Tortellini Salad at the Table

• Picnic Perfect Companion: Pack this tortellini salad in a sealed container for outdoor meals, making it an ideal choice for park gatherings or beach lunches with friends and family.
• Summer Appetizer Elegance: Serve chilled as a refreshing starter before main courses, garnishing with extra fresh basil leaves to enhance visual appeal and add a burst of herbal freshness.
• Mediterranean Mezze Plate: Pair alongside grilled chicken, hummus, olives, and warm pita bread to create a complete Mediterranean-inspired dining experience that celebrates fresh ingredients and vibrant flavors.
• Quick Lunch Solution: Transform this salad into a satisfying midday meal by adding grilled shrimp or sliced rotisserie chicken for extra protein, turning a simple side dish into a hearty lunch option.

Storage Tips for Pasta Salads You Can Chill

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store the tortellini caprese salad in a sealed glass or plastic container to maintain freshness and prevent flavor absorption from other foods.
• Ingredient Separation Tip: Keep leafy spinach slightly separate from wet ingredients to prevent wilting and maintain crisp texture until just before serving.
• Optimal Temperature Management: Consume chilled salad within 3-4 days for best taste and quality, ensuring ingredients remain vibrant and textures stay appealing.
• Flavor Enhancement Technique: Allow salad to rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to help ingredients release their full aromatic potential and blend seasonings more effectively.

Vibrant Tortellini Caprese Salad

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4.8 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 25 min
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Summer nights sparkle with this tortellini caprese salad, blending Italian classics into a refreshing dish. Cheese-filled pasta, ripe tomatoes, and fresh basil create a simple Mediterranean meal you’ll savor with friends.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup chopped spinach
• ¼ cup chopped basil
• 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
• 10 oz (283 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
• 8 oz (226 g) mozzarella pearls
• 20 oz (566 g) cheese tortellini, uncooked
• ½ cup olive oil
• 2 tbsps balsamic vinegar
• ¾ tsp italian seasoning
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper
• Balsamic glaze (optional)

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Instructions

1. Tortellini Preparation: Cook tortellini in generously salted water until they float, achieving an al dente texture according to package instructions.
2. Ingredient Preparation: Uniformly dice fresh mozzarella, halve ripe cherry tomatoes, and roughly tear fragrant basil leaves into artistic, bite-sized portions.
3. Cooling Process: Drain pasta thoroughly, rinsing under cool water to cease cooking and prevent mushiness, then allow to cool momentarily.
4. Salad Assembly: Transfer cooled tortellini into a spacious mixing vessel, creating a robust base for the caprese-inspired composition.
5. Vegetable Integration: Fold crisp baby spinach leaves into the pasta, ensuring even distribution and vibrant green undertones.
6. Flavor Layering: Gently incorporate mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil throughout the mixture, creating a harmonious flavor profile.
7. Aromatic Enhancement: Finely mince garlic to unleash its pungent essence, infusing the salad with depth and complexity.
8. Dressing Application: Generously drizzle extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar, coating ingredients with a glossy, flavor-rich sheen.
9. Seasoning Finale: Sprinkle Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper, delicately tossing to ensure comprehensive flavor integration.
10. Flavor Melding: Refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing ingredients to marinate and develop a cohesive taste experience.
11. Serving Preparation: Perform a final gentle toss before presentation, redistributing dressing and ensuring optimal flavor balance.
12. Finishing Touch: Optionally crown the salad with a delicate balsamic glaze drizzle for elevated visual and gustatory appeal.
13. Storage Guidelines: Preserve in an airtight container within refrigeration, consuming within 3-4 days to maintain peak freshness and taste integrity.

Notes

• Chill for Flavor Fusion: Refrigerating the salad for 30 minutes allows ingredients to marinate and develop deeper, more harmonious taste profiles.
• Precise Pasta Preparation: Cook tortellini just until they float, ensuring a perfect al dente texture that prevents mushiness and maintains ideal pasta integrity.
• Ingredient Uniform Cutting: Chop mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil into consistent bite-sized pieces for balanced flavor distribution and elegant presentation.
• Serve Fresh and Cold: Consume within 3-4 days and keep refrigerated to maintain crisp vegetables and prevent potential bacterial growth.

• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 10 min
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 370 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg