Tortellini Caesar Salad (Chilled Pasta Caesar Twist, Perfect for Meal Prep & Summer Lunches)
Molly
This Tortellini Caesar Salad blends cheese tortellini with crisp romaine, shaved parmesan, and creamy Caesar dressing. Served chilled and packed with flavor, it’s perfect for meal prep, summer picnics, or as a satisfying vegetarian-friendly lunch or dinner.
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Course Dinner, Lunch, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Italian-Inspired
Servings 6 servings
Calories 420 kcal
- 20 oz cheese tortellini cooked and cooled
- 2 heads romaine lettuce chopped
- ¾ cup Caesar dressing store-bought or homemade
- ½ cup shaved or grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup croutons slightly crushed
- Optional: cherry tomatoes grilled chicken, or crispy bacon
Boil the tortellini. Cook according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cool water to stop the cooking.
Chop the romaine. Wash and dry well, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
Mix the base. In a large bowl, combine cooled tortellini and romaine. Toss gently.
Add dressing and toppings. Drizzle with Caesar dressing and add parmesan. Fold until coated.
Top it off. Sprinkle with croutons and optional cherry tomatoes or chicken.
Chill and serve. Best when chilled for 15–30 minutes before serving.
Secret Tips for Tortellini Caesar Salad
1. Rinse & Chill Your Tortellini: After boiling, rinse tortellini under cold water to stop the cooking and keep them firm. Chill for at least 30 minutes before tossing with dressing—this helps everything hold texture and flavor.
2. Use a Thick, Creamy Caesar: Go for a Caesar dressing that’s thick enough to cling to the pasta and romaine. A runny dressing can make your salad soggy fast.
3. Shred, Don’t Chop: Shred the romaine by hand or use a knife to slice into ribbons. This keeps the greens fluffy and evenly distributed throughout the salad.
4. Make It a Meal: Add chopped grilled chicken, crispy bacon, or hard-boiled eggs for a high-protein twist that makes this pasta salad lunch-worthy.
5. Toss Just Before Serving: For the freshest texture, store the dressing separately and toss everything together right before eating—especially if prepping ahead.Keyword chilled caesar pasta salad, cold pasta salad with romaine, easy caesar pasta recipe, high protein tortellini salad, make ahead tortellini salad, no heat caesar lunch, summer pasta salad ideas, tortellini caesar salad, tortellini caesar salad meal prep, vegetarian caesar pasta
