Description
A vibrant and flavorful Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad that combines tender cheese tortellini with fresh vegetables, savory salami, and a zesty Italian dressing. Perfectly chilled and tossed with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese, this salad is a refreshing and satisfying dish ideal for picnics, potlucks, or light meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 20 ounces of fresh or frozen cheese tortellini
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup sliced cucumbers
- 1 cup black olives, sliced
- 1 cup mozzarella balls or cubed mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced red onion
- 1 cup Italian salami, diced
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
Dressing & Seasoning
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing (homemade or store-bought)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Tortellini: Cook the tortellini according to package instructions, then drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Let it cool completely.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large salad bowl, combine the cooled tortellini, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, black olives, mozzarella, red onion, and diced salami.
- Add Dressing: Drizzle the Italian dressing over the combined ingredients in the bowl.
- Toss Salad: Gently toss all the ingredients until they are well coated with the dressing.
- Add Cheese and Basil: Incorporate the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped basil, then toss lightly again.
- Season: Add salt and pepper to taste, adjusting the seasoning as preferred.
- Refrigerate: Cover and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Final Toss and Serve: Before serving, give the salad a final toss, adding more dressing if needed, serve chilled, and enjoy.
Notes
- Use fresh basil for the best flavor impact.
- For gluten-free option, substitute tortellini with gluten-free pasta.
- Make the salad a few hours ahead to enhance the flavor infusion.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- You can add grilled chicken or other proteins to make it a heartier meal.
