Description
This vibrant and delicious Tortellini Pasta Salad is the perfect dish for potlucks, barbecues, or a light meal on a warm day! Packed with tender cheese tortellini, crisp veggies, and a tangy dressing, this pasta salad is both satisfying and refreshing. It’s easy to make and perfect for meal prep or as a side dish to your favorite main course.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup bell pepper, diced (any color)
- 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (optional)
For the Dressing:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey (or maple syrup for a vegan option)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp dried oregano or Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Cook the Tortellini:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the cheese tortellini according to the package instructions, usually about 3-5 minutes for fresh tortellini or 8-10 minutes for frozen.
- Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
- Prepare the Vegetables:
- While the tortellini is cooking, chop the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and bell pepper. Slice the black olives and chop the fresh basil if using.
- Make the Dressing:
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper until the dressing is smooth and emulsified.
- Assemble the Salad:
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled tortellini with the chopped vegetables and olives. Add the feta cheese and basil, if using.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
- Chill & Serve:
- Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
- Serve cold and enjoy!
Notes
- Feel free to add or swap in other veggies such as broccoli, spinach, or arugula for extra nutrition.
- For added protein, you can toss in some grilled chicken or chickpeas.
- You can also substitute the feta cheese with vegan cheese or omit it for a dairy-free version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad, Dessert, Side Dish
- Method: Tossing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (based on 6 servings)
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 20mg