Tortellini Pasta Salad

This is going to be a quick post. It's going to be a very busy Saturday for us. We're having a birthday party for Jess today. Its rained most of the weekend. Oh I grumbled and cussed. Over the past 14 years we've had 2 birthdays without rain. We thought by holding off later into the month we'd surely get sunshine, but the weather forecast was grim. Rain predicted straight through next Wednesday!

We didn't prep the yard cause we figured that the party would be in the house, but we woke up this morning to find that the sun really did want to come out after all and the rain will be holding off till early in the morning hours! Thank you Mr. Sunshine, thank you!

Now we are on a mad dash to get the rain soaked yard ready and I have to finish up a few things in the kitchen. I thought I'd post this super easy recipe for Tortellini Pasta Salad that is super simple to throw together.



There really isn't a recipe for this. I just add in whatever I have on hand.

Tortellini Pasta Salad
Frozen cheese tortellini (I used 2 pounds cause I'm feeding a crowd)
Pesto
red onion
sliced olives
artichoke hearts
diced cheddar cheese
fresh parsley
cherry or grape tomatoes

Cook the tortellini in boiling salted water until done. Drain and rinse with cold water. Add the ingredients into a large bowl and toss with pesto. I also add a dash of Italian dressing in just before I serve it to give it a little zing.

I used store bought pesto (GASP!). My local warehouse club sells a great organic pesto from a company called LOVE Inc., which is fantastic. I use this until I can make more of my own. Come on sunshine, my basil plants need some photosynthesis!

So if your looking for a change from the usual pasta salad give tortellini a try.