The Fresh and Zesty Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe for Summer Joy

Fresh summer days call for something light and delightful, and this tortellini pasta salad bursts with vibrant flavors that dance on your palate.

Packed with colorful vegetables and tender cheese-filled pasta, the dish promises a delectable experience.

Each forkful brings a delightful mix of textures and tastes that elevate a simple meal into something special.

The herbs and dressing blend seamlessly, creating a harmonious balance of tangy and savory notes.

Chilled and refreshing, this pasta salad works perfectly for picnics, potlucks, or a quick weeknight dinner.

You’ll love how effortlessly it comes together, making it an ideal choice for busy home cooks.

Dive into this crowd-pleasing recipe that’s sure to become a summer staple at your table.

Why Tortellini Pasta Salad Brightens Up Any Meal

• Create a Stunning Centerpiece: Transform ordinary ingredients into a show-stopping dish that'll wow your guests with its impressive circular design and golden-brown, cheese-covered exterior.
• Customize with Endless Variations: Swap chicken for ground beef, pulled pork, or keep it vegetarian with black beans, making this recipe adaptable to any taste preference or dietary need.
• Simplify Weeknight Cooking: Combine all your favorite burrito ingredients into one easy-to-prepare dish that eliminates the hassle of individual wrapping and provides a delicious meal everyone will love.
• Perfect for Social Gatherings: Designed as a shareable meal that encourages interaction, this ring-shaped creation is ideal for game days, potlucks, and family get-togethers where people can dive in and enjoy together.

Ingredient List for Fresh Tortellini Salad

• Tortellini: A classic Italian pasta filled with cheese or meat that adds rich flavor and substance to the salad.

• Salami, Mozzarella: Salami provides a savory, cured meat component while mozzarella adds creamy texture and mild cheese flavor.

• Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumber: Tomatoes bring bright, tangy freshness and cucumber offers a crisp, cool element to balance the heavier ingredients.

• Olive Oil, Red Wine Vinegar, Italian Seasoning, Salt, Pepper: A classic Italian-style vinaigrette that combines zesty and herbal notes to enhance and bind the salad components.

Steps for Tossing a Tortellini Pasta Salad

Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfectly

Drop tortellini into a pot of salted boiling water. Follow package cooking time carefully until pasta becomes tender and soft.

Drain completely and spread on a flat surface to cool down quickly.

Step 2: Chop Fresh Ingredients

• Salami (diced into small cubes)
• Fresh mozzarella (chopped into bite-sized pieces)
• Cherry tomatoes (sliced in half)
• Cucumber (diced into small chunks)

Step 3: Create Tangy Dressing

• Extra virgin olive oil
• Red wine vinegar
• Italian seasoning blend
• Kosher salt
• Fresh cracked black pepper

Step 4: Combine Salad Components

Gently mix all chopped ingredients with cooled tortellini in a large serving bowl.

Pour dressing over the mixture and toss until everything is evenly coated.

Step 5: Chill and Enhance Flavors

Cover the salad and place in refrigerator for minimum 30 minutes.

This resting time allows ingredients to marinate and develop deeper, richer taste profiles.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Remove from refrigerator, give a quick stir, and serve cold.

Garnish with fresh basil leaves for extra aroma if desired.

Notes for Colorful Tortellini Salad Bowls

• Cook tortellini al dente to prevent mushiness and maintain a satisfying chewy bite.
• Toss cooled tortellini with a little olive oil to stop them from clumping together after cooking.
• Let the salad marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow ingredients to blend and intensify taste.
• Swap salami with grilled chicken, turkey, or plant-based alternatives for different dietary preferences.
• Store in an airtight container and consume within 2-3 days for optimal freshness and taste.

Fun Mix-Ins for Tortellini Pasta Salad Fans

• Vegetarian Pasta Salad: Replace salami with grilled zucchini, roasted red peppers, and plant-based mozzarella for a meat-free version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap traditional tortellini with gluten-free cheese or spinach tortellini to accommodate wheat-sensitive diets.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Variation: Substitute mozzarella with crumbled feta cheese, add kalamata olives, and use oregano-infused dressing for a Greek-style profile.
• Protein-Packed Alternative: Include grilled chicken strips or chickpeas instead of salami to boost protein content and create a more substantial meal.

What Goes Well With Tortellini Pasta Salad

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc complements the salad's tangy dressing and rich salami perfectly, cutting through the creamy mozzarella with its bright, acidic notes.
• Boost with Sparkling Rosé: Select a light, effervescent rosé that enhances the salad's fresh vegetable components and adds a playful, summery dimension to the dish's robust flavors.
• Match with Artisan Bread: Serve alongside a rustic ciabatta or focaccia to soak up the delicious dressing and provide a satisfying textural contrast to the cold pasta salad.

Keeping Tortellini Pasta Salad Fresh and Cool

• Store the tortellini pasta salad in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Keep it chilled in the coldest part of the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
• Wrap the salad tightly in freezer-safe containers, avoiding mozzarella and tomatoes, which can become watery. Freeze for maximum 1-2 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Gently warm the salad at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. Stir briefly to redistribute the dressing and revive the flavors.
• Add a splash of fresh olive oil and a pinch of Italian seasoning when serving leftovers to restore the salad's original zesty taste and prevent dryness.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of tortellini?

Yes, you can use cheese, spinach, or meat-filled tortellini based on your preference. Just ensure they are cooked and cooled before adding to the salad.

• How long can this pasta salad stay fresh?

The salad stays fresh in the refrigerator for 2-3 days when stored in an airtight container. Make sure to keep it chilled to maintain its quality.

• Is this salad vegetarian-friendly?

No, the recipe contains salami, which is a meat product. To make it vegetarian, you can replace salami with roasted vegetables or plant-based protein alternatives.

Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 24 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Delightful Tortellini Pasta Salad brings Italian charm to summer gatherings with its zesty blend of cheese-filled pasta, fresh vegetables, and tangy dressing. Mediterranean flavors dance together, creating a refreshing dish you’ll crave at picnics and potlucks.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta and Protein:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) tortellini pasta
• 1 cup salami, diced

Cheese and Vegetables:

• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, diced or mini mozzarella balls
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup cucumber, diced

Dressing and Seasonings:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Boil tortellini in salted water for 3-4 minutes or until they float to the surface, following package cooking time guidelines.
2. Drain pasta immediately and rinse with cold water to stop cooking process and prevent sticking.
3. Allow tortellini to cool completely at room temperature for approximately 10-15 minutes.
4. Prepare vegetables by chopping cucumber into uniform small cubes and halving cherry tomatoes.
5. Dice salami into bite-sized pieces and roughly chop mozzarella into small chunks.
6. Create vinaigrette by whisking olive oil, red wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper in a separate container until ingredients are well combined.
7. Transfer cooled tortellini into a large mixing bowl and add prepared salami, mozzarella, tomatoes, and cucumber.
8. Pour prepared dressing over salad ingredients and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
9. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30-45 minutes to enhance flavor integration.
10. Remove from refrigerator, give a quick stir, and serve chilled as a refreshing pasta salad.

Notes

• Keep tortellini slightly firm to prevent mushiness, aiming for an al dente texture that holds its shape in the salad.
• Chill ingredients before mixing to enhance flavor absorption and maintain a crisp, refreshing feel.
• Swap salami with grilled chicken or tofu for lighter protein options that cater to different dietary preferences.
• Use fresh herbs like basil or parsley as a final garnish to boost the salad’s brightness and aromatic profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 470 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 720 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg