This tortellini Caprese salad is the perfect pasta twist on classic Caprese salad.  With fresh summer flavors of basil, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and a delicious white balsamic vinaigrette, this Caprese pasta salad is a must-try side dish.

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Why you’ll love this

If you love traditional Caprese salad and you’re looking to try a new pasta dish- this is going to be your new pasta salad of the summer!

This dish combines two of my favorite summer side dishes: Caprese salad and pasta salad!

This simple recipe uses really basic ingredients like cheese tortellini, fresh tomatoes and mozzarella, and fresh basil! You’ll also whip together a super simple balsamic dressing that complements the fresh flavors perfectly.

It’s the perfect side to serve at your next party, makes a great lunch when served on top of leafy greens, and can quickly be turned into an easy dinner too! You can even prep it ahead because it’s great the next day.

I love to serve this tortellini Caprese salad as a side dish with grilled chicken, your favorite marinated steak, or burgers. 

You can also add in your favorite vegetables or flavors to make it your own – BYOC (be your own chef!) Add in fresh spinach or kale for more nutrient packed veggies. Add in sliced deli meats for a boost of protein. You could even add in avocado or sweet onions for more flavor and texture variations.  

Ingredients

• Cheese tortellini: Fresh or frozen tortellini works great here! Fresh tortellini tends to maintain a little bit firmer of a texture, but either will work.
• Cherry or grape tomatoes: The bright and sweet flavor of the smaller cherry or grape tomatoes here is what makes the dish amazing! 
• Fresh mozzarella cheese: You can make your life easier by using fresh mozzarella pearls or slice your own into smaller bite-sized pieces!
• Fresh basil: The fresh flavors of basil are a must for anything Caprese-inspired!  
• Balsamic dressing ingredients
  • White balsamic vinegar: You can use regular balsamic vinegar too, of course! White balsamic vinegar is a little bit sweeter.
  • Fresh lemon juice: Use a citrus squeezer to make lemon squeezing so much easier! 
  • Olive oil: Extra virgin olive oil is my favorite for this easy balsamic vinaigrette.
  • Fresh garlic: I love using fresh garlic in homemade dressings. To get your garlic super finely minced, this garlic grater is a life saver! 
  • Honey or maple syrup: For just a little bit of sweetness.
  • Spices: Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Cook your tortellini according to package instructions, usually about 5-6 minutes. When finished cooking, drain and set aside. I like to rinse it quickly under cold water and then tossing it in a small drizzle of olive oil while it cools.

2. In a small bowl, make your balsamic vinaigrette. Combine balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, honey, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Whisk well and taste test! Add additional salt and pepper if desired.

3. In a large bowl, add cooked tortellini, tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella cheese. Pour dressing on top and combine gently.

4. Garnish with extra basil and enjoy!

Recipe FAQ

How long will the pasta salad be good? 

Store leftovers in an airtight container with a lid in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. I recommend serving leftovers with a fresh splash of dressing or a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

Can I use regular balsamic vinegar instead of white balsamic vinegar? 

Yes, you can substitute regular balsamic vinegar here for the white balsamic vinegar. The flavor will change a bit, and the dark color of the balsamic vinegar will darken the pasta salad a bit – but will still be delicious.   

Serving suggestions

You can serve this easy Caprese tortellini salad as a stand alone dish, or make it a bit more balanced by adding grilled hicken or sliced deli meat to bump up the protein.

This tortellini caprese salad would go great with these recipes, too:  

• Perfectly Cooked Thin Sliced Chicken Breasts
• Viral Smash Burger Tacos
• Crazy Good Chopped Italian Sliders 
• Big Mac Ground Turkey Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls
• Italian Grinder Salad

Variations

• Use your favorite balsamic vinegar instead of white balsamic vinegar.
• Swap the dressing for fresh basil pesto and turn it into a pesto tortellini salad!
• Turn it into a pasta dish by swapping tortellini for your favorite cooked pasta. Rotini or bow-tie pasta would work great!
• Add in chopped spinach or kale for more nutrient dense veggies.  
• Add crushed red pepper flakes for a kick of spice.
• Add more veggies – red onion, avocado, red or yellow peppers to make it your own!
• Swap mozzarella for your favorite cheese, just slice it up into smaller pieces! Cheddar, monterey jack, Swiss or even feta cheese would all be delicious.

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