Tortellini Salad

This summer has definitely been about cooking food with the least amount of cook time as possible.

tort

This cold tortellini salad is just another dish I’ve made in this hot weather that is simple, requires very little “cook” time and is delicious!

toms

pesto1

I don’t know why but I’ve been dreaming about having a picnic lately. I just want to pack up a summery meal, a soft blanket and perhaps a bottle of wine and sit outside in the grass and have a picnic. I’ve been thinking about it A LOT.

beans

So, yesterday, Greg and I were going to see the Philadelphia Orchestra at an outdoor, free concert. I know, it was so cool. I was going to train into the city to meet him, since he was already there, and we would have dinner and then head over to the concert.

spoons

Instead of going out to dinner, why don’t I pack us a picnic dinner, I thought. It was the perfect opportunity. I had already made this tortellini salad, and I still had some leftover bean tapenade. I’d throw in two apples and some trail mix and it would be perfect. There are so many places where we could have a nice picnic in the city!

bowl

So I headed in, with the food and a blanket, so excited for our picnic. But, there was one problem. It was raining. And it was windy and the sky was completely gray. I don’t know why, but I was still holding out hope that the sun would be shining just in time for our picnic.

bowl2

I got to the city and met up with Greg, and no, the sun did not come out. An outdoor picnic did not happen, so we improvised. A picnic dinner in the science building it was. 🙂

bowl3

So, after that story, let me tell you about this dish.

bowl4

fork

It is so good. It is a perfect picnic dish. Or a get-together dish. Or a dish for a big summer feast. It’s light and full of flavor from that pesto. I used this kale + mint + cashew pesto, but of course use any pesto you please. The beans add softness and the tomatoes add a crunch. Simple, delicious flavors.

bowls

Whether you are enjoying a relaxing outdoor picnic or inside on a rainy day, I hope that you enjoy this dish! 🙂

bowl1

Ingredients
1 bag frozen tortellini
1/2 cup pesto
1 can white beans
1 heaping cup cherry tomatoes

Cook the tortellini according to package directions. Mine were to be boiled for 2-3 minutes. Once the tortellini is done cooking, drain and rinse with cold water.

While the tortellini cools, cut the tomatoes in half. Open and rinse the beans.

In a large bowl, mix together the tortellini, pesto, white beans and tomatoes. Using two large spoons, toss everything together well, until everything is coated in pesto.

Serve chilled and enjoy!

Notes:
-Rinsing the tortellini with cold water after cooking it will remove any starch that will make the tortellini stick together in this dish.

2 thoughts on “Tortellini Salad

Leave a Reply