CHEESE TORTELLINI PESTO PASTA SALAD

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Cheese Tortellini Pesto Pasta Salad image

This is my favorite way to make (and eat!) pasta salad in the whole world! I have been making it for years and always get asked for my recipe. So happy to share it with you all! *It makes alot, I'll warn ya, but you can make a smaller version by omitting the rotini and adding half the rest of the ingredients...but... it's highly...

Provided by Kelly Williams

Categories     Salads

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 (14 oz.) can(s) artichocke hearts, drained and quartered
1 (10 oz.) container grape tomatoes, halved lengthwise
1 (6 oz.) can(s) medium black olives, drained and halved lengthwise
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 (20 oz.) pkg cheese-filled tortellini, cooked al dente, drained (fresh or frozen)
1/3 c evoo, more if needed (extra virgin olive oil)
1/4 c parmesan cheese, i use the kind in the "green can" (kraft), but you could definately use fresh finely grated
1 (8 oz.) jar(s) basil pesto
1/2 tsp salt, more if needed
2 tsp minced garlic (i cheat and use the kind in the little jar as i hate chopping and grating garlic))
12 oz. good mozzarella cheese (fresh if you like), cubed
8 oz. (or half of a 1 lb. box) rotini noodles, cooked al dente and drained

Steps:

  • 1. Cook pastas, set aside to cool a bit.
  • 2. In large bowl or punch bowl, add rest of ingredients folding gently til well mixed.
  • 3. Gently fold in pastas well.
  • 4. Adjust seasonings to taste, meaning, add more salt, parmesan, etc., til it's to your own liking.
  • 5. Serve immediately, or refrigerate.
  • 6. *If serving this much later or the next day, you'll need to "refresh" this. Just add a bit more olive oil, salt and parmesan cheese before serving as the noodles suck up the oil and seasonings a bit.
  • 7. *This salad is best room temp or even slightly warm.

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