Description
This Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad is a vibrant, flavorful dish perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a refreshing lunch. Featuring tender cheese tortellini combined with fresh cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, black olives, mozzarella, and savory Italian salami, all tossed in zesty Italian dressing and finished with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil. This salad is served chilled, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 20 ounces 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
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing (homemade or store-bought)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the tortellini: Prepare the tortellini according to the package instructions. After cooking, drain well and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Allow the tortellini to cool completely before using it in the salad.
- Combine salad ingredients: In a large salad bowl, mix together the cooled tortellini, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, black olives, mozzarella, sliced red onion, and diced Italian salami until evenly distributed.
- Add the dressing: Pour the Italian dressing over the combined salad ingredients in the bowl, ensuring the dressing is evenly distributed over the salad.
- Toss the salad: Gently toss all ingredients together so that each component is well coated with the Italian dressing.
- Add cheese and basil: Sprinkle the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil over the salad, then toss lightly once again to incorporate these final flavor elements without bruising the herbs.
- Season to taste: Add salt and pepper according to your preference, tasting to adjust seasoning as needed.
- Chill the salad: Cover the salad and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour. This resting time allows the flavors to meld together and enhances the overall taste.
- Final toss and serve: Before serving, give the salad a final gentle toss. If the pasta has absorbed too much dressing during chilling, add a bit more Italian dressing to refresh the flavors.
- Enjoy: Serve the pasta salad chilled for a delicious and refreshing meal or side dish.
Notes
- Use fresh basil for the best flavor; dried basil will not provide the same freshness.
- Salami can be substituted with other Italian cured meats like pepperoni or prosciutto if preferred.
- To make this salad vegetarian, omit the salami and consider adding extra vegetables or chickpeas for protein.
- You can prepare this salad a few hours ahead to let flavors develop, but avoid dressing too far in advance to prevent sogginess.
- For a lighter option, use reduced-fat mozzarella and a low-fat Italian dressing.
- If fresh cherry tomatoes are not available, grape tomatoes are a good substitute.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
