NEW E-Book: A Taste of Hawai'i At Home 🌺🤙🏼 Get Your Copy Today!

Leave a Review

Weeknight MVP Tortellini Caesar Salad (25 Minutes)

V Vegetarian
Posted by Jess Larson on July 30th, 2025
THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE SALES LINKS. PLEASE SEE MY FULL DISCLAIMER POLICY FOR DETAILS.

This Tortellini Caesar Salad has everything you love about the classic salad—reimagined with pillowy cheese tortellini. Tossed with crisp romaine, shaved parmesan, & a garlicky homemade dressing, each bite of this hearty Caesar pasta salad is crunchy, creamy, and downright craveable. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s the perfect easy weeknight dinner & the ultimate make-ahead side dish for picnics, BBQs, & potlucks (delicious served warm or cold!).

Jump to Recipe
A bowl of tortellini Caesar salad with cheese tortellini, romaine lettuce, shaved parmesan, red onion, croutons, and Caesar dressing, garnished with cracked black pepper.
Photography by Gayle McLeod
Prep: 20 min
Cook: 2 min
Serves: 4-6

This Tortellini Caesar Salad Is My New Weeknight Obsession

The first night I threw this Tortellini Caesar together, it wasn’t on the menu. In fact, nothing was on the menu…it was 5:30 p.m. and I was in the middle of one of those what-the-heck-are-we-going-to-have-for-dinner moments. 😅

I opened the fridge, spotted a pack of my favorite cheese tortellini (Costco—IYKYK!), tossed it with chopped romaine, a handful of parm, and some leftover Caesar dressing, and hoped for the best.

But a few bites in, I knew I’d stumbled onto a total keeper. It had everything I love about a classic Caesar salad but the pillowy tortellini made it feel like a full-on meal.

A plate of cheese tortellini Caesar salad with romaine lettuce, shaved Parmesan, red onions, and croutons, served with a fork on a blue plate. A glass of lemon drink and Parmesan slices are nearby. this Recipe for Later!
Caesar pasta salads are having a moment—but this twist with cheese tortellini is extra-craveable and delightfully quick. You’ll be making it on repeat!

Every bite is creamy, savory, a little crunchy, and way more satisfying than you’d expect from a 25-minute recipe. I’ve been making it on repeat, adding grilled chicken for a quick dinner, bringing it to potlucks and picnics, and eating any leftovers for lunch. 

It’s one of those rare recipes that works perfectly whether served warm or cold, fresh or made a few days ahead. It’s quickly earned MVP status in my summer rotation—not too shabby for a lazy throw-together dinner! 😉

A flat lay of ingredients for a pasta dish: uncooked tortellini in a bowl, lettuce leaves, shaved parmesan, sliced red onions, ground pepper, salt, golden breadcrumbs, and a jar of creamy dressing on a light surface.
This pasta salad combines fresh cheese tortellini with all the basics of a traditional Caesar Salad, plus red onion for bite and toasted breadcrumbs for crunch.

Store-bought Caesar dressing works great for this recipe, but homemade is even better! For a classic egg-based version loaded with umami flavor, try my Thick and Creamy Homemade Caesar Dressing. For all the rich creaminess without any egg yolk or anchovy, try my Greek Yogurt Caesar Dressing.

Weeknight Pasta Salad Essentials

How to Make Caesar Pasta Salad with Tortellini

The best thing about this tortellini Caesar salad is that it comes together fast. The pasta cooks in just minutes (the longest part is waiting for the water to boil!). Everything else is a quick chop-and-toss situation like the timeless salad. 

A white pot filled with boiling water and tortellini pasta, shown from above on a light blue tiled surface.
Boil the tortellini in a pot of salted water until tender. You’ll know they’re ready when they float to the top. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
A glass bowl with Caesar salad topped with cheese tortellini, sliced chicken, parmesan shavings, red onion, Caesar dressing, and freshly cracked black pepper, surrounded by ingredients and a yellow-striped napkin.
Toss the pasta with the remaining salad ingredients and enough Caesar dressing to coat both the greens and tortellini evenly.
A glass bowl filled with Caesar salad topped with tortellini, shaved Parmesan cheese, and red onion slices. Surrounding the bowl are dishes with shaved cheese, ground pepper, sliced red onions, and a yellow-striped towel.
Instead of bulky croutons, I finish this Caesar pasta salad with crispy, garlicky breadcrumbs. They add texture in a more delicate way, without overwhelming the tender tortellini.
A bowl of tortellini salad with romaine lettuce, red onion slices, shaved parmesan, and a creamy dressing, topped with breadcrumbs.
This tortellini Caesar salad is a fantastic meal on its own, especially on a hot summer day. For a little extra oomph, try adding in chicken cutlets or rotisserie chicken.
A blue plate with tortellini pasta salad, romaine lettuce, red onions, shaved parmesan, and breadcrumbs. A fork and knife are beside the plate, with bowls of breadcrumbs and pepper and a yellow-striped napkin nearby.
Or make it ahead of time so you’re ready for whatever summer throws your way. It’s perfect for an impromptu picnic with friends, a quick poolside lunch, or a backyard BBQ.

I can’t wait for you to try this Tortellini Caesar Salad! If you do, be sure to let us know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo and tag @playswellwithbutter on Instagram. We LOVE seeing your PWWB creations! ♡ Happy cooking!

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Close-up of a creamy tortellini pasta salad with fresh spinach, shaved parmesan, red onion slices, and crispy breadcrumbs. The dish is coated in a rich dressing and garnished with black pepper.

Summer MVP Tortellini Caesar Salad (25 Minutes)

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews
  • Author: Jess Larson
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: serves 4-6 1x
  • Category: Entree Salads & Bowls, Side Dish Recipes
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian-American
  • Diet: Vegetarian
Print Recipe

Description

This Tortellini Caesar Salad has everything you love about the classic salad—reimagined with pillowy cheese tortellini.

Tossed with crisp romaine, shaved parmesan, and a garlicky homemade dressing, each bite of this hearty Caesar pasta salad is crunchy, creamy, and downright craveable.

Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s the perfect easy weeknight dinner and the ultimate make-ahead side dish for picnics, BBQs, and potlucks (delicious served warm or cold!).

Ingredients

Scale
  • one 9-ounce package fresh tortellini of choice (from the refrigerated section; I’m obsessed with Costco’s Five Cheese Tortellini)
  • 1 head Romaine lettuce (approx. 6 ounces), chopped
  • 1 large shallot or ½ red onion, thinly sliced⁠
  • ½ cup shaved parmesan cheese
  • heaping 1 cup Caesar dressing (try my Homemade Classic Caesar Dressing or my Quick Anchovy-Free Greek Yogurt Caesar Dressing)
  • optional: ⅓ cup garlicky toasted panko breadcrumbs
  • kosher salt and ground black pepper, to season

Instructions

  1. Boil the tortellini: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Once boiling, gently add the tortellini and cook according to package directions, stirring occasionally. The tortellini are typically ready once they float to the top. Drain and rinse well with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to drain completely.A white pot filled with boiling water and tortellini pasta, seen from above, sitting on a light blue tiled surface. Bubbles form around the pasta as it cooks.
  2. Toss the tortellini Caesar salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooled tortellini, chopped Romaine, sliced shallot or onion, shaved parmesan, and Caesar dressing. Season with a hefty pinch of kosher salt and plenty of freshly cracked black pepper. Toss until evenly coated and combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. If using, sprinkle the garlicky breadcrumbs over top.A glass bowl filled with tortellini, romaine lettuce, sliced red onions, parmesan cheese shavings, and creamy dressing sits on a countertop surrounded by bowls of salt, black pepper, and a yellow-striped towel.
  3. Serve immediately. This tortellini Caesar salad is such a fun weeknight dinner—we usually pair it with leftover shredded chicken or my 5-Ingredient Grilled Lemon Chicken. It’s also such a crowd-pleaser at potlucks and parties—bring it as a dish to share and get ready for friends to ask you for the recipe. Enjoy!A glass bowl filled with Caesar salad, including romaine lettuce, tortellini, shaved parmesan, red onion, and croutons. Surrounding the bowl are salt, pepper, breadcrumbs, parmesan slices, and a yellow-striped towel.

Equipment

Notes

  • Portions:  As written, this recipe yields a large salad, suitable for feeding 3-4 people as a main dish (especially with added protein) or 6-8 as a side dish.

Storage and Make-Ahead:

  • Storage instructions: While best enjoyed fresh, tortellini Caesar salad leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Enjoy leftovers cold or at room temperature.
  • Make-ahead instructions: This tortellini Caesar salad is best enjoyed fresh, within a few hours of assembly. If you’d like to make it ahead of time, for meal prep or party prep, I suggest prepping the components in advance. Prepare the tortellini, slice the onion, and chop the lettuce. Store everything in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. At dinnertime, simply toss together as directed in Step 2, above.

Follow along with Plays Well With Butter on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and Pinterest for more unfussy recipes that pack a big punch of flavor!

A large blue bowl filled with Caesar salad featuring tortellini pasta, romaine lettuce, red onion, shaved Parmesan cheese, and breadcrumbs, surrounded by plates, utensils, and a bowl of extra breadcrumbs.
A blue plate with cheese tortellini Caesar salad, featuring romaine lettuce, red onion slices, parmesan cheese shavings, crouton crumbs, and creamy dressing. A glass of green drink and a bowl of pepper are nearby.

Hi there, I'm Jess!

If there’s 1 thing to know about me, it’s this: I am head-over-heels in love with food. I’m on a mission to make weeknight cooking flavorful, fast, & fun for other foodies, & PWWB is where I share foolproof recipes that deliver major flavor with minimal effort. Other true loves: pretty shoes, puppies, Grey’s Anatomy, & my cozy kitchen in Minneapolis, MN.

Topics

Sign up for our newsletter

Leave a Rating & Comment

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.