Description
This refreshing Tortellini Pasta Salad combines tender cheese tortellini with fresh vegetables like cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, and red onion, all tossed in a zesty olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing. Enhanced with black olives and mozzarella balls, this salad is perfect for a light lunch, picnic, or potluck, offering a flavorful and satisfying dish that’s quick to prepare and easy to customize.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces cheese tortellini
Vegetables & Cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 each bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup red onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup black olives, sliced
- 1 cup mozzarella balls, drained
Dressing
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
Garnish
- Fresh basil leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Tortellini: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Cook the cheese tortellini according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain the tortellini in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool.
- Prepare the Vegetables: In a mixing bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced bell pepper, chopped red onion, sliced black olives, and drained mozzarella balls.
- Make the Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: Once the tortellini is cool, add it to the mixing bowl with the vegetables. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss everything together until well combined.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Chill the Salad: Refrigerate the salad for at least 15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together beautifully.
- Serve: Serve the salad garnished with fresh basil leaves if desired.
Notes
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free tortellini.
- Chilling the salad enhances the flavors and makes it more refreshing.
- Add grilled chicken or bacon for a protein boost.
- Substitute mozzarella balls with feta cheese for a tangier flavor.
- Use fresh oregano instead of dried for a more vibrant herbal taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling, Tossing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Tortellini pasta salad, cheese tortellini salad, Italian pasta salad, easy pasta salad, summer salad