Easy Caprese Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe

This tortellini pasta salad recipe is a perfect side dish featuring juicy red ripe cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, homegrown fresh basil and fresh tortellini. 

There is nothing like the flavor of summer grown tomatoes. My favorite way to eat them is caprese style. A drizzle of olive oil and a shake of aged balsamic vinegar – yummy perfection!

I grown my own and come August my garden is overflowing. I love picking the tiny tomatoes off the dwarf shrubs and just popping them into my mouth.

They are just bursting with flavor and are irresistible sweet.

These tomatoes works so well mixed together with mini mozzarella balls and cheesy tortellini.

It makes the ultimate pasta salad that is a perfect summer side dish for any barbecue or dinner.

These summer months we are grilling out quite a bit and sharing dinners with our neighbors.

This delicious pasta salad is an easy side dish to make and can be done so with just a few ingredients.

Cherry or grape tomatoes work best with this salad because … well they are juicy, sweet and so easy to eat.

Do you grow a garden for fresh vegetables?

I do and there is nothing like the flavor of fresh veggies. It’s become a family affair. Actually, all the neighborhood kids chip in.

I’ve even caught little “dears” in my garden stealing peas.

BUSTED…My son has a mouthful. It’s one of his favorite things to steal out of the garden.

He can have the peas. I’ve have to protect those tomatoes.

There is nothing fancy required when tossing this great side dish other than some salt and cracked pepper, olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar.

The aged vinegar brings out the sweetness of the tomatoes.

Another option instead of oil and vinegar is using basil pesto to make this a pesto tortellini salad.

It’s just as flavorful.

How to make this flavorful tortellini pasta salad recipe

This easy recipe requires a few ingredients including fresh pasta, from the refrigerated section of the grocery store. I like to use cheese or spinach tortellini for this classic pasta salad.

Also pick up fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, fresh herbs preferably from the garden and a few pantry staples.

I also sometimes add in red bell pepper for added sweetness.

There is no need for a separate salad dressing because the oil and vinegar combined with the fresh ingredients adds plenty of flavor.

This easy pasta salad is a great make ahead dish that can be served at room temperature and goes great with grilled chicken or main dishes off the grill.

This recipe has delicious flavor the whole family will enjoy.

What kinds of tomatoes should I use for this tasty tortellini pasta salad?

If you’re not growing your own tomatoes be sure to stop by your favorite store for locally grown produce or your local farm market.

Fresh local grown tomatoes taste so different and so much better than what you get in the grocery store.

Can you see in the photo above how different garden grown tomatoes look. They taste just as delicious!

What are your favorite kinds of tomatoes? Let me know in the comments below.

Easy meals to serve with this pasta salad

Grilled Mahi-Mahi with Balsamic Tomatoes

Spicy Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Ohio Pork Tenderloin Sliders with a Blackberry Barbecue Sauce

Caprese Chicken

Easy Marinated Flank Steak

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