Tortellini Caprese Salad (Printable Version)

Light Italian salad featuring cheese tortellini, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and fresh basil dressed in balsamic olive oil.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz cheese tortellini, fresh or refrigerated

→ Vegetables & Herbs

02 - 1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 4 oz fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), halved
04 - ½ cup fresh basil leaves, torn

→ Dressing

05 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
06 - 1½ tbsp balsamic glaze or balsamic vinegar
07 - 1 garlic clove, minced
08 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How To Make:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the tortellini and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well, then rinse under cold running water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta completely.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled tortellini, halved cherry tomatoes, halved bocconcini, and torn basil leaves. Toss gently to distribute evenly.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic glaze (or vinegar), minced garlic, a pinch of salt, and several grinds of black pepper until well emulsified.
04 - Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently but thoroughly, ensuring all ingredients are evenly coated without crushing the tomatoes or mozzarella.
05 - Serve immediately at room temperature, or refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under twenty five minutes, which means you can decide to make it at five oclock and be eating by five thirty.
  • The combination of pillowy cheese tortellini with juicy tomatoes and creamy mozzarella is basically summer on a plate.
  • It travels beautifully, making it the dish everyone asks you to bring to picnics and potlucks.
02 -
  • Rinsing the tortellini under cold water is not optional here because residual heat will melt your mozzarella into a sad stretchy mess.
  • Do not skip salting the pasta water, as this is your one chance to season the tortellini itself from the inside out.
03 -
  • Taste a tomato before you commit to the full dish because out of season cherry tomatoes can be mealy and bland, which drags the whole salad down.
  • Let the dressed salad sit at room temperature for ten minutes before serving because cold dulls the flavor of the olive oil and garlic significantly.

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