Description
This Tortellini Pasta Salad is a fresh, flavorful, and easy-to-make dish loaded with cheese tortellini, crisp vegetables, savory meats, and a zesty homemade dressing. Perfect for meal prep, potlucks, or busy weeknights, it’s a crowd-pleasing recipe that tastes even better after chilling.
Ingredients
20 oz refrigerated cheese tortellini
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cucumber, peeled and chopped
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
1 cup pitted kalamata olives, chopped
1 cup fresh mozzarella balls
1/2 cup chopped salami or pepperoni
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups baby spinach or arugula
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Dressing:
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup vinegar
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp honey
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the tortellini in salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- In a jar, combine olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Shake well to emulsify.
- Place tortellini in a large bowl and toss with half of the dressing while still slightly warm. Let cool for 10 minutes.
- Add cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, mozzarella, salami, Parmesan, spinach, and basil.
- Pour remaining dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Toss again before serving and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Garnish with extra basil and Parmesan if desired. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- This salad tastes even better after a few hours in the fridge.
- Slice onions thinly for a milder flavor.
- Add grilled chicken or chickpeas for extra protein.
- If the salad seems dry after chilling, drizzle with a bit more olive oil before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling / Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg