Top-of-the-Class Salad

Name: Top-of-the-Class Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 1 (16-ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini; 1 (16-ounces) package heirloom cherry tomatoes, halved; 1 (8-ounce) package pearl mozzarella balls; 1/2 cup basil, chopped, plus more, whole leaves, to taste, for garnish; 1/3 cup olive oil; 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar; salt, to taste; black pepper, to taste

Pasta Vegetarian Diner-Style

Time: 15 minutes

Yield: 8 servings

About

Well, this dish certainly gets an "A." Top-of-the-Class Salad is like the graduated upgrade of classic pasta salad — with tender, cheesy tortellini instead of regular pasta for an extra hearty, extra delicious bite, Top-of-the-Class Salad will absolutely wreck the grading curve for other pasta salads. Juicy tomatoes and creamy mozzarella bring all that goodness together for a top marks dish! A caprese salad mixed with tortellini moves to the head of the class!

Ingredients

1 (16-ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
1 (16-ounces) package heirloom cherry tomatoes, halved
1 (8-ounce) package pearl mozzarella balls
1/2 cup basil, chopped, plus more, whole leaves, to taste, for garnish
1/3 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste

Directions

Step 1 -In a large pot of salted, boiling water, add the tortellini and cook to al dente, according to the package directions.

Step 2 -Drain the tortellini and rinse it under cold water.

Step 3 -In a bowl, add the cooked tortellini, the cherry tomatoes, the mozzarella balls, 1/2 cup of the chopped basil, the olive oil, and the vinegar and toss to combine.

Step 4 -Season the tortellini mixture with the salt and the pepper.

Step 5 -Top with the extra whole basil leaves and serve.

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