When I’m lucky enough to get invited to a barbecue, potluck, or some other type of food-related gathering, I always hit the side dish table first. Barbecue ribs are great and all, but I’m here for the carbs, please. You’ll find me loading up my plate with all of the pasta salads drenched in vinaigrette (both creamy and oil-based are welcome, in my book). Pasta, cheese, and vegetables–it’s a complete meal, if you ask me. Why pasta salad gets relegated as a side act and never the star astounds me. But, the good news is, in the comfort of your own home, you can make and eat pasta salad as a main course! I serve it hot when I make it like this (your choice, though), and it’s so easy to pull together! The ease of this recipe makes it perfect for date night. The sauce comes together while you boil the tortellini, and after a quick toss in store-bought pesto, you have another addition to your romantic meals for two at home repertoire. I always have cheese tortellini in my freezer, and my garden is overflowing with zucchini and cherry tomatoes currently.
Your grocery list for this pesto tortellini pasta salad:
-cheese tortellini -small jar of pesto (I love the Trader Joe’s version with quinoa!) -pint of cherry tomatoes -one small zucchini -grated Parmesan cheese (fresh mozzarella pearls are a fun substitute) That’s it!
You can absolutely make this dish in 12 minutes while your significant other opens the wine and sets the table. I love these quick pasta dinners that come together in less than 15 minutes But hey, save the recipe and double it next time you need to bring a side dish to a summer party. It’s a great vegetarian side dish! I made you a quick little how-to video for this pesto tortellini pasta salad recipe. It lives in the top right corner of my site, but let me know if you have any questions!
