Final 12 months, I introduced this Tortellini Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing to a yard potluck pool occasion with a bunch of associates. You realize the sort—youngsters splashing round within the pool, somebody manning the grill, and folding camp chairs scattered throughout the garden. I had deliberate on bringing one thing easy, however I used to be quick on time (and, let’s be trustworthy, power), so I threw this salad along with what I had within the fridge and my simple do-it-yourself Italian dressing.
I wasn’t anticipating it to steal the present, however individuals stored coming again for seconds. One pal really pulled me apart to ask what sort of “fancy cheese” I used, and after I instructed her it was simply cheese tortellini and mozzarella pearls, she checked out me like I’d simply shared some massive secret. That’s the second I spotted this salad is a complete sleeper hit—low effort, excessive reward, and all the time a crowd-pleaser. It’s been on common rotation in my home ever since!
What makes this pasta salad wholesome?
This Tortellini Pasta Salad recipe combines lean proteins, dairy, and a beneficiant mixture of greens that present a spread of nutritional vitamins and minerals. The Selfmade Italian dressing, made with olive oil and crimson wine vinegar, provides a light-weight, tangy end with out overloading the dish with energy. Selfmade salad dressings are sometimes thought of higher than store-bought as a result of you will have management over components, making certain brisker, more healthy choices with much less added sugar, salt, and preservatives, whereas additionally permitting for personalization to your style preferences.
RELATED: This Pesto Caprese Pasta Salad is loaded together with your favourite pasta noodles, recent tomatoes and mozzarella and tossed in the most effective tasty pesto! It’s such a simple dish and ideal for anytime of the 12 months!
What components do you must make Tortellini Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing?
Components For the salad
- 1 (20-ounce) package deal cheese tortellini
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- ½ cup black olives, sliced
- ½ cup crimson bell pepper, diced
- ¼ cup crimson onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup mozzarella pearls (or cubed mozzarella)
- ¼ cup recent basil, chopped
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Components For the Selfmade Italian Salad dressing Recipe
- ½ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons crimson wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey (or sugar)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed crimson pepper flakes (optionally available)
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optionally available)
Make sure you take a look at the complete ingredient checklist and printable recipe within the recipe card under.
Why you’ll love this colourful pasta recipe
You’ll benefit from the mixture of textures and tastes that dance in your palate. The salad is as pleasing to the attention as it’s to your style buds, making it a really perfect selection for sharing at social occasions or just treating your self to one thing recent and enjoyable.
Step-by-step directions for making Tortellini Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
- Prepare dinner the tortellini based on the package deal directions. As soon as accomplished, drain and rinse the pasta below chilly water to chill it down.
- In a big bowl, mix the tortellini with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, olives, bell pepper, crimson onion, mozzarella, and basil.
- Pour 1/2 cup of my Italian dressing (or 1/2 a cup of a retailer purchased Italian Salad Dressing) over the salad and provides it a superb toss to make sure the whole lot is coated evenly.
- Season with black pepper. Cowl the bowl and let it chill within the fridge for a minimum of half-hour earlier than serving.
Make this Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad, then take a look at my Pesto Caprese Pasta Salad and extra of my pasta salad recipe concepts.
Steadily requested questions on this hearty pasta salad recipe
Learn on for suggestions and substitution concepts on learn how to make this recipe, resembling learn how to customise this salad, and learn how to retailer this salad.
Can I exploit a special kind of pasta?
Completely. Whereas cheese tortellini provides a novel twist, different pasta shapes can work effectively with this dressing.
Is that this salad appropriate for meal prep?
Sure, this pasta salad holds up effectively within the fridge and the flavors proceed to develop over time.
Can I modify the greens?
Be at liberty to combine in your favourite veggies or no matter is in season for a personal touch.
How do I retailer leftovers of this Tortellini Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing?
Place any leftovers in an hermetic container and preserve them within the fridge. The salad is greatest loved inside three days. Give it a fast stir earlier than serving to redistribute the dressing and flavors.
This recipe is a tasty, wholesome and enjoyable make forward pasta facet salad that’s good for including a burst of colour to your plate and a smile to your face. Take pleasure in your creation at your subsequent gathering or as a refreshing deal with throughout a busy day!
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Prep Time
20 minutes
Prepare dinner Time
5 minutes
Whole Time
25 minutes
Components
For the Tortellini Pasta Salad
- 1 (20-ounce) package deal cheese tortellini
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- ½ cup black olives, sliced
- ½ cup crimson bell pepper, diced
- ¼ cup crimson onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup mozzarella pearls (or cubed mozzarella)
- ¼ cup recent basil, chopped
- ½ cup Italian dressing
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Directions
- Prepare dinner the tortellini based on the package deal instructions, then drain and rinse below chilly water.
- In a big bowl, mix the tortellini, tomatoes, cucumber, olives, bell pepper, crimson onion, mozzarella, and basil.
- Pour the Italian dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly.
- Season with black pepper, then cowl and refrigerate for a minimum of half-hour earlier than serving.
Really useful Merchandise
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Diet Info:
Yield:
6
Serving Measurement:
1
Quantity Per Serving:
Energy: 144Whole Fats: 9gSaturated Fats: 2gTrans Fats: 0gUnsaturated Fats: 5gLdl cholesterol: 13mgSodium: 393mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 1gSugar: 4gProtein: 5g
The offered vitamin data is an estimate and it doesn’t take manufacturers under consideration. I exploit an computerized API to calculate this data.
Different Pasta Salad recipes to attempt
- Out of all of the pasta salads to have in your recipe field, Greek Pasta Salad is likely one of the greatest to wow a crowd! Cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, onion and feta cheese are blended with pasta and drizzled with a do-it-yourself Greek salad dressing to create this colourful and appetizing pasta salad!
- This fast and straightforward Feta Bruschetta Pasta Salad packs daring flavours to pair completely together with your summer season grilling feasts and is bound to be an enormous hit at your subsequent BBQ or cookout.
- Indulge within the final summer season delight with my Creamy Shrimp Pasta Salad Recipe and let the flavors transport you to a sunny beachside retreat. Whether or not you’re searching for a satisfying meal or a crowd-pleasing dish, this recipe is bound to develop into a staple in your culinary repertoire.
- This Pesto Caprese Pasta Salad is so easy to make and has solely 8 components which are simple to seek out at any grocery retailer!
