Tortellini Pasta Salad (Print)
Cheese-filled tortellini tossed with fresh vegetables and tangy Italian dressing. Perfect for picnics and potlucks.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 1 lb fresh cheese tortellini
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
04 - 1 cup red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
06 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
→ Cheese & Herbs
07 - 1/2 cup mozzarella balls (bocconcini), halved
08 - 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
→ Dressing
09 - 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
10 - 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
11 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
12 - 1 clove garlic, minced
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# How To Make It:
01 - Prepare tortellini according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold water to halt the cooking process. Set aside to cool completely.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, toss together cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, black olives, red onion, mozzarella balls, and fresh basil until evenly distributed.
03 - Whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper in a small bowl or jar until emulsified and smooth.
04 - Add cooled tortellini to the vegetable mixture. Pour dressing over the top and toss gently until all ingredients are thoroughly coated.
05 - Refrigerate salad for minimum 30 minutes to allow flavors to marry. Toss once more immediately before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge, making it perfect for meal prep parties
- The dressing soaks into the tortellini like magic, turning each bite into an explosion of Italian flavors
02 -
- I learned the hard way that overcooking the tortellini turns this into mushy sadness, so watch it like a hawk and test a piece early
- The salad genuinely tastes better after a few hours in the refrigerator, so do not be afraid to make it the night before
03 -
- Cut your vegetables into similar-sized pieces so every forkful gets the perfect mix of textures and flavors
- Reserve a handful of fresh basil to sprinkle on top right before serving for this gorgeous restaurant-quality finish