This Cheese Tortellini Caesar Salad Recipe is easy to make, requires just a few ingredients, and is great for all your summer needs. Serve as a side dish at your next picnic or enjoy for lunch with a side of baked bread. This filling vegetarian pasta salad is packed with protein and veggies.
The kids only have two days of school left, and our community pool opens this weekend. Although it’s not officially summer yet, I’m ready for fresh meals that don’t require too much cooking. This Cheese Tortellini Caesar Salad is packed with veggies and protein, and is the perfect side dish for your Memorial Day BBQ.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Tortellini Caesar Salad!
- Perfect for summer – This flavorful pasta salad is easy to throw together and so great for all your summer potluck and BBQ needs. It’s filling and fresh and is a delicious vegetarian side option.
- Easy to make – I love using fresh tortellini for this recipe because it cooks in about 5 minutes, and you can prep most of the other ingredients while the tortellini is cooking. It can be thrown together quickly, so it’s great for a last-minute lunch or side.
- Full of flavor – The Caesar dressing is tangy, cherry tomatoes add a sweet bite, and the parmesan is salty and creamy. This tortellini salad has many great tastes and textures.
Cheese Tortellini Caesar Salad Recipe Ingredients
- Tortellini – I like to use the family-size bag of the cheese tortellini shown above. There are other brands of tortellini out there, so just use your favorite. I prefer fresh, but the boxed or frozen kind will also work.
- Lettuce – Romaine lettuce is traditional in a Caesar salad and that’s what I used. It’s not super strong in flavor and it’s light and crisp. You can use any kind of lettuce you like, and kale would also work great.
- Tomato – I used cherry tomatoes because they add lots of flavor, but any kind of tomato will work. If using a large tomato, make sure to cut it into bite-sized pieces.
- Chickpeas – I add one can of chickpeas for some extra protein, and I enjoy the taste and texture. They can certainly be left out if you prefer.
- Red Onion – I love raw red onion in salads because it helps cut any heaviness from the tortellini, parmesan and dressing. It can be omitted if you like, though.
- Parmesan Cheese – I used the big, thin shards of parmesan cheese, but any kind of parmesan can be used.
- Croutons – I used store-bought Caesar-flavored croutons. I like the ones that have both the white and brown bread croutons.
- Fresh Herbs – Since it is (almost) summer, fresh herbs are a must in this salad. I used fresh basil leaves, but dill, parsley, cilantro, or mint would work well, too.
- Caesar Dressing – I used a bottled Caesar dressing, but homemade is great, too. I also like to add in a few squeezes of fresh lemon juice.
How To Make Tortellini Caesar Salad
- Heat a large pot of water until boiling. Add the tortellini and cook according to package directions. Drain tortellini and rinse with cold water for about 15 seconds. Add tortellini into an extra large bowl and allow to cool for just a few minutes.
- Next, add the chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, red onion, romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese and croutons. Give everything a quick mix and add in the Caesar dressing, lemon juice, fresh basil leaves, salt, and black pepper.
- Give the salad a thorough mix and season with extra salt and pepper, if needed. Tortellini salad is best served right away, but can be refrigerated up to 4-5 days. Taste is best when salad is fresh with crisp lettuce and crunchy croutons, but still good if you have leftovers.
Recipe Frequently Asked Questions
- Can this recipe be made gluten-free? Yes, you can use gluten-free tortellini and gluten-free croutons.
- Can this recipe be made vegan? Yes, use vegan cheese tortellini, vegan parmesan, and vegan Caesar dressing.
- Can this salad be made ahead of time? Yes, it can be prepared ahead of time, but I suggest not adding the lettuce or croutons until just before serving. They may get soggy if making more than a couple hours in advance.
- How many servings does this recipe make? If serving as a full meal, it makes about 4 servings. If serving as a side dish, it makes about 10 servings.
- How long do leftovers last? If stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, leftovers should last about 4-5 days. The romaine lettuce and croutons may get a little soggy after a while, though.
Have a question I didn’t answer? Ask me in the comment section below, and I will get back to you ASAP.
Looking For More Easy Tortellini Recipes?
Vegetarian Cheesy Tortellini Casserole
Summer Tortellini Salad with Garlic Herb Dressing
20 Minute Cheese Tortellini with Tomatoes and Parsley
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Cheese Tortellini Caesar Salad
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Cheese Tortellini Caesar Salad Recipe is easy to make, requires just a few ingredients and is great for all your summer needs! Serve as a side dish at your next picnic or enjoy for lunch with a side of baked bread. This filling vegetarian pasta salad is packed with protein and veggies.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 extra large bag cheese tortellini (about 510 g) I like to use the fresh kind, but frozen or boxed will also work
- 2 small heads romaine lettuce, thinly sliced (or one large head)
- 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1 cup shaved parmesan shards
- 1 cup croutons, or more if desired
- 1 cup prepared caesar dressing, or more if you want it creamier
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, or herb of choice
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large pot of water until boiling. Add the tortellini and cook according to package directions. Drain tortellini and rinse with cold water for about 15 seconds. Add tortellini into an extra large bowl and allow to cool for just a few minutes.
- Next, add in the chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, red onion, romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese and croutons. Give everything a quick mix and then add in the caesar dressing, lemon juice, fresh basil leaves, salt and black pepper.
- Give the salad a thorough mix and season with extra salt and pepper, if needed. Tortellini salad is best served right away, but can be refrigerated up to 4-5 days. Taste is best when salad is fresh with crisp lettuce and crunchy croutons, but still good if you have leftovers!
Notes
This recipe can easily be cut in half if you want to make a smaller amount.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Lunch, Vegetarian
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: American
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