Description
Mediterranean-inspired herby tortellini pasta salad brings summer’s freshest flavors to your table. Cheese-filled pasta mingles with crisp herbs and zesty dressing, creating a light yet satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) tortellini
Vegetables:
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 cucumber
- 1/2 red onion
- 1 bell pepper
Dressing and Seasonings:
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water, add salt, and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Carefully drop tortellini into the bubbling water and cook following package timing until al dente, typically 3-5 minutes.
- Drain tortellini in a colander and immediately rinse under cold running water to halt cooking process and prevent sticking. Spread pasta on a flat surface to cool completely.
- Prepare vegetables by washing thoroughly, then precisely dice into uniform bite-sized cubes to ensure even distribution throughout the salad.
- Create zesty dressing by whisking olive oil, fresh lemon juice, crushed garlic, dried Italian herbs, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper in a small ceramic bowl until ingredients emulsify smoothly.
- Transfer cooled tortellini into a spacious mixing bowl, add diced vegetables and grated Parmesan cheese. Gently pour prepared dressing over ingredients.
- Toss salad delicately with large utensils, ensuring every morsel gets evenly coated with aromatic dressing. Aim for gentle mixing to preserve pasta shape.
- Refrigerate salad for minimum 30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify. The chilled temperature will enhance overall taste profile.
- Before serving, garnish with additional Parmesan shavings or freshly chopped herbs like basil or parsley. Serve directly from refrigerator for optimal freshness.
Notes
- Prep Ahead: Cook tortellini and chop veggies in advance to save time and make meal planning easier.
- Customize Veggies: Swap or add different vegetables like roasted bell peppers, artichokes, or sun-dried tomatoes for variety and extra nutrition.
- Diet-Friendly Twist: Use gluten-free tortellini or replace with zucchini noodles for a low-carb option that’s equally delicious.
- Protein Boost: Add grilled chicken, shredded rotisserie chicken, or canned tuna to make the salad more filling and protein-packed.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg