By: Jill Mills Posted: Apr 8, 2025

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Marry Me Pasta Salad puts a fun and flavorful twist on the beloved “Marry Me Chicken” recipe. Packed with cheesy tortellini, juicy fresh and sun-dried tomatoes, and fragrant basil, it’s all tossed in a rich homemade dressing that makes every bite totally irresistible!

Overhead view of a white bowl filled with creamy tortellini salad, cherry tomatoes, and spinach, surrounded by fresh spinach leaves and a red checkered napkin.

If you love Marry Me Chicken, you’’ love this recipe for Marry Me Pasta Salad. It’s a cold salad that’s ideal for cookouts or a bright lunch option. It has endless serving possibilities! I enjoy making this and enjoying the leftovers throughout the week. The longer it sits in the refrigerator, the more time the ingredients have to soak up the flavors from the dressing. This gives each bite a punch of freshness.

Why You’ll Love This Marry Me Pasta Salad Recipe

It’s a great make-ahead recipe. Since this recipe needs some time to chill in the refrigerator, it’s perfect to make in advance. I like to prepare it the night before so we can enjoy it for lunch or dinner the next day.
There’s minimal cooking. The only ingredient that needs to be cooked is the tortellini. It takes just a few minutes, and then it’s ready to add to the pasta salad. All of the other components are eaten as is.
It’s easy to customize. This pasta salad is easy to adjust to suit your preferences. Feel free to swap, omit, or add anything you want. I love switching it up to make different flavor profiles.

Overhead view of a bowl of tortellini pasta salad with creamy dressing, cherry tomatoes, and spinach, on a wooden table with a red checkered cloth.

Ingredients Need

I included the components of both the pasta salad and the homemade dressing. They’re separated so it’s easier to understand but you can scroll to the recipe card for more information.

For the pasta salad

Cheese tortellini: You may use frozen or fresh cheese tortellini. Cook it al dente, according to the package directions and allow it to cool before adding it to the salad.
Tomatoes: I use a combination of fresh cherry tomatoes and sundried tomatoes. They add a juicy and chewy texture to create a complex bite.
Basil: Fresh basil adds a bright herbaceous flavor that compliments the tomatoes. It comes together to give you the flavor of classic “marry me” chicken.
Parmesan cheese: I like the sharp flavor of grated parmesan cheese. If you use fresh, it will add a nice nutty note as well.
Spinach: Fresh spinach adds color and nutrients to the pasta salad. It’s so good!

For the dressing

Mayonnaise: This adds rich and creamy flavor and texture to the dressing. It’s my favorite base!
Sour cream: I like to add sour cream for tanginess to offset the richness of the mayonnaise.
Italian dressing: Use your favorite Italian dressing to add a bright vinegar note that also makes it easier to pour and toss with the other ingredients.
Parmesan cheese: Grated parmesan adds flavor and texture to the dressing that ties everything together.
Sundried tomato oil: The oil in a jar of sundried tomatoes is gold. Reserve it for the dressing for even more depth of flavor.
Garlic: Fresh garlic adds a punch of flavor to the dressing. It goes great with the pasta, tomatoes, and basil.
Basil: Save some extra basil for the dressing as well. It adds color and freshness.
Spices: I use red pepper flakes for subtle heat, as well as salt and black pepper. Taste your salad to ensure you don’t use too much salt.

Flat lay of Marry Me Pasta Salad ingredients including tortellini, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, garlic, red pepper flakes, sun-dried tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, shredded cheese, and spinach.

How to Make Marry Me Pasta Salad

This recipe requires minimal cooking. The remaining steps are preparing and combining the salad ingredients. Waiting for it to chill is the hardest part, but the flavors are worth it!

Make the salad. Combine all of the pasta salad ingredients in a large bowl.
Prepare the dressing. Whisk all the dressing ingredients in a separate bowl until they are well combined.

Ingredients for pasta salad in a glass bowl including spinach, cherry tomatoes, shredded cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes, with a smaller bowl of creamy dressing beside it.

Creamy tortellini salad mixture in a large clear bowl, with visible spinach leaves, cherry tomatoes, and white dressing.

Fold them together. Pour the dressing into the pasta bowl and lightly toss to ensure everything is well coated.
Chill. Pop it into the refrigerator for about 4 hours to let the flavors develop.
Garnish and serve. Sprinkle with more tomatoes and basil. Enjoy!

Close-up of a creamy tortellini salad with cherry tomatoes, spinach, and a rich white dressing, served in a white bowl.

Tips for Success

Make it a complete meal. Add a protein like cooked chicken breasts or tofu to make this a well-rounded meal. On its own, it’s nutritious and filling but adding meat can make it more balanced and still delicious.
Add more veggies. Feel free to take this recipe to the next level and add your favorite vegetables. Any kind is great, but some of my favorites are broccoli, chopped asparagus, mushrooms, and bell peppers.
Chill the pasta. The tortellini must be cooled before you start building your salad. You may let it sit on the counter for a little while after you drain it to allow it to cool. To speed things up, place the pasta in the refrigerator so it can chill faster.

Proper Storage

Store leftovers of this Marry Me pasta salad in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. It’s enjoyed cold, so there’s no need to reheat it! I don’t recommend freezing it because it doesn’t thaw well.

Marry Me Pasta Salad