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Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad

Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad
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Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad is a fresh, flavorful, and speedy dish featuring tender cheese-filled tortellini, vibrant vegetables, and a zesty Italian dressing. Ready in under 20 minutes, this versatile salad is perfect as a main, side, or potluck contribution, delivering satisfying and bold flavors with refreshing textures.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 12 ounces cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)

Vegetables

  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, sliced into bite-size pieces
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/3 cup black olives, sliced
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped

Cheese

  • 1/2 cup mozzarella pearls or cubes, drained if needed
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Dressing and Seasoning

  • 1/3 cup Italian dressing (olive oil, vinegar, garlic, herbs)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the Tortellini: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the cheese tortellini according to package directions until al dente, usually 3 to 5 minutes. Drain and rinse with cool water to stop cooking and cool the pasta for the salad.
  2. Prep the Vegetables and Cheese: While the tortellini cooks, halve the cherry tomatoes, slice the cucumber into bite-size pieces, thinly slice the red onion, and roughly chop fresh basil leaves. If using mozzarella pearls, drain any excess liquid to prevent watering down the salad.
  3. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, gently toss the cooked tortellini with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, olives, basil, and mozzarella to keep ingredients fresh and intact.
  4. Dress and Season: Pour Italian dressing over the salad then add grated Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together until well coated and flavors are evenly melded. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  5. Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the dressing to infuse the flavors. Serve chilled or at room temperature for a refreshing meal or side dish.

Notes

  • Don’t overcook tortellini; keep it al dente to maintain texture after chilling.
  • Use a good-quality Italian dressing for optimal flavor.
  • Rinse cooked pasta with cold water to stop cooking and cool quickly.
  • Prep veggies and herbs ahead to speed up assembly.
  • Let the salad rest in the fridge to enhance flavors.
  • Can add protein like grilled chicken, shrimp, or salami for a heartier dish.
  • Use vegan tortellini and cheese substitutes to make this recipe plant-based.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 3 days; freezing is not recommended.
  • This salad is best served cold or at room temperature; no reheating needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad, pasta salad, Italian recipe, quick pasta salad, cheese tortellini salad, easy salad, summer salad

Find it online: https://mealsbylina.com/italian-tortellini-pasta-salad/