Cold Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe — Zesty and Easy!
This tortellini pasta salad is a crowd-pleasing favorite with plump cheese tortellini, diced salami, creamy mozzarella bells and a bevy of fresh and tangy vegetables dressed in a zesty Italian vinaigrette perfect for any BBQ or potluck.
Servings 10
Calories 524kcal
Ingredients
- 20 ounces cheese torteliini
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 16 ounces fresh mozzarella balls, ciliegine, drained and cut in half
- 15 ounces canned artichokes in water, quartered
- 8 ounces diced salami
- 4 ounces sliced black olives
- 24 cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 ½ cups sliced Persian cucumbers
- ¼ small red onion, slivered
- ⅓ cup slivered basil leaves
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 garlic clove, pressed or minced
Instructions
- Cook the tortellini. Bring a large pot of water to a boil then season with 1 tablespoon kosher salt. Add 20 ounces of cheese tortellini and cook 2-3 minutes, or until they expand and float to the top of the boiling water.
- Assemble the salad. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water. Transfer the tortellini to a large mixing or serving bowl. Add 16 ounces halved mozzarella balls, 15 ounces artichoke hearts (quartered), 8 ounces chopped salami, 4 ounces sliced black olives, 1 ½ cups sliced cucumber, ¼ slivered red onion, and ⅓ cup slivered basil.
- Make the Italian dressing. In a small bowl, whisk ½ cup extra virgin olive oil with ¼ cup red wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes, and 1 pressed or finely minced garlic clove.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta salad ingredients. Use your hands or a wooden spoon to gently toss until well-coated. Taste for seasoning and add more fresh basil, if desired. Let the salad sit for 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
To make ahead: You can assemble the salad and prepare the dressing ahead of time, but it's best to dress 30 minutes or so before serving so it doesn't dry out.
Tortellini pasta salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-6 hours or 1 day ahead.
Nutrition
Calories: 524kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 2028mg | Potassium: 222mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 376IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 272mg | Iron: 5mg