This tortellini pesto pasta salad loaded with carrots, tomatoes, and bell pepper is made creamy with protein-packed Greek yogurt. It's perfect for spring picnics and summer barbecues! (vegetarian)
Pasta salad is the perfect side dish for picnics, cookouts, and easy breezy summer dinners. It's so simple to make ahead, and always delicious! This pesto pasta salad with tortellini gives basic pasta salad an upgrade with a flavorful, creamy pesto dressing and lots of veggies.
Why You'll Love This Pasta Salad
Fans of creamy pasta salad and vinaigrette-based pasta salad alike will love this tortellini pasta salad! The dressing is a cross between creamy mayo-based dressing and more tangy, herby dressings by combining creamy Greek yogurt and flavorful, punchy pesto. It coats delicious, cheese-filled tortellini, carrots, bell pepper, and tomato for a loaded pasta salad that still feels light and nutritious! It's super simple, with just 6 ingredients, and make-ahead friendly.
How To Make Creamy Tortellini Pesto Pasta Salad
- Cook the tortellini according to the package directions, adding the carrots into the boiling water the last 1-2 minutes of cooking.
- Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water.
- In a big bowl, mix the tortellini, carrots, bell pepper, tomatoes, pesto and Greek yogurt.
- Refrigerate for at least an hour to let the flavors meld and the pasta cool, or until you're ready to serve!
Ingredient Substitutions and Recipe Variations
- If you don't have Greek yogurt, you can use mayonnaise instead. Or just use pesto if you want a non-creamy pasta salad.
- Mix and match any veggies you like in this pasta salad! I like to add fresh baby spinach sometimes, or you could add broccoli in when you add the carrots to the pasta water. Leave out any veggies you don't like.
- Mr. Table loves bacon in pasta salad. If you're a fan, you can add cooked, crumbled bacon.
Tips for Storing Pasta Salad
- Store prepared pasta salad in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- As the pasta salad sits, the pasta tends to soak up some of the dressing and dry out a little. If you'll be leaving it in the refrigerator for a few days, you may wan to mix up a little extra pesto and yogurt to stir in just before serving.
- I don't recommend freezing pasta salad.
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the comments!
PrintCreamy Tortellini Pesto Pasta Salad
This tortellini pesto pasta salad loaded with carrots, tomatoes, and bell pepper is made creamy with protein-packed Greek yogurt. It's perfect for spring picnics and summer barbecues! (vegetarian)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Chill Time: 60 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 80 minutes
- Yield: about 6 cups 1x
- Category: side dish
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 package fresh tortellini (8-9 oz)
- 3-4 small carrots, sliced into coins
- ½ cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- ½ cup pesto (I use my carrot top pesto)
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
Instructions
- Cook tortellini according to package directions. Add carrot coins in the last few minutes of boiling so that they are just slightly tender. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- Stir in bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, pesto and yogurt.
- Refrigerate, covered, until you are ready to serve.
Notes
- Store prepared pasta salad in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- As the pasta salad sits, the pasta tends to soak up some of the dressing and dry out a little. If you'll be leaving it in the refrigerator for a few days, you may wan to mix up a little extra pesto and yogurt to stir in just before serving.
- I don't recommend freezing pasta salad.
Ingredient Substitutions
- If you don't have Greek yogurt, you can use mayonnaise instead. Or just use pesto if you want a non-creamy pasta salad.
- Mix and match any veggies you like in this pasta salad! I like to add fresh baby spinach sometimes, or you could add broccoli in when you add the carrots to the pasta water. Leave out any veggies you don't like.
- If you're a fan, you can add cooked, crumbled bacon.
Keywords: tortellini pasta salad, creamy pesto pasta salad, tortellini pesto pasta salad
Farrah says
My freezer is my best friend when I'm trying to reduce my food waste! (I definitely have a weakness for over-buying when I spot amazing deals too. 😛 ) This salad looks awesome!
nutritioulicious says
This looks delicious! Love making pesto with whatever greens I have on hand. So many great tips to reduce food waste Kaleigh!
Kaleigh says
Thanks Jessica!