Tortellini Pasta Salad
Do you need an easy fresh pasta salad dish for a filling lunch or for a gathering with friends? This Tortellini Pasta Salad is super easy to make. It is full of fresh veggies, mozzarella cheese, salami, and is dressed with a light lemony vinaigrette.
You can even customize the ingredients in this dish by replacing certain ingredients with others or by adding even more to the dish.
Ingredients
- tortellini
- mozzarella balls
- cherry tomatoes
- broccoli
- hard salami
- black olives
- red bell pepper
- onion
- cucumber
Other Delicious Options
- artichokes
- green olives
- pepperoncini peppers
- scallions
- pepperoni
- sun-dried tomatoes
- fire-roasted bell pepper
- heart of palm
- pastas-penne, cavatappi, orecchiette, rigatoni, bow-tie
The Olive Oil You Use Matters!
The olive oil I used for my vinaigrette is from Santa Stefano, a beautiful winery in the heart of Greve in Chianti, Italy. If you ever have the chance to go, please do! The view and experience were absolutely breathtaking. The family who has owned the winery for many years was so kind and generous. My family and I took a tour of the winery where they showed us how their grapes and olives are grown and then made into aromatic and flavorful wines and olive oils (with a wine and antipasto tasting as well!) I love their extra virgin olive oil and only use it for special occasions and recipes where I know the olive oil flavor will truly need to shine. So what is the difference between extra virgin, virgin, or any other types of olive oils?
Extra virgin is the highest quality olive oil, it is extracted by grinding and pressing olives with no chemicals or use of heat. In this type of olive oil, you will truly taste the purest and most authentic flavor of the olives.
How to Make Tortellini Pasta Salad
- First, cook the tortellini following the instructions on the package. Drain and set aside to cool.
- Next, get a large bowl that will fit all of your ingredients including the tortellini.
- Prepare all of the fresh ingredients by chopping, dicing, or cutting those that need to be broken down into smaller pieces.
- Place all of the vinaigrette’s ingredients into a mason jar and shake together well.
- In the large bowl, mix together the tortellini, fresh veggies, cheese, and salami with the vinaigrette. (You may not need to use all of the vinaigrette, use your best judgment. I set aside some of the vinaigrette for people to add to their individual dish in case they wanted more on the pasta salad.)
- Place some fresh basil on top to garnish. Enjoy!
The Perfect Pair!
My Tortellini Pasta Salad pairs well with my easy fresh Classic Bruschetta! I made these two dishes for a brunch with friends and they were a big hit and complimented each other well.
Spotify Playlist
This playlist, like my Tortellini Pasta Salad and Bruschetta, is full of perfect pairs. Enjoy these collaborative duets by artists such as James Taylor and Charlie Puth to Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett, and more!
Pinterest Pin
Tortellini Pasta Salad
This pasta salad is super easy to make. It is full of fresh veggies, fresh mozzarella cheese, salami, and is dressed with a light lemony vinaigrette. You can even customize the ingredients in this dish by replacing certain ingredients with others or by adding even more to the dish.
Pasta Salad
- 20 oz. uncooked cheese tortellini (not frozen)
- 12 fresh mozzarella balls (halved)
- 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 broccoli stalk (cut into small florets)
- 1/2 pound hard salami (cut into small cubes)
- 1/2 cup whole pitted black olives
- 1 red bell pepper (diced)
- 1/2 cup onion (chopped)
- 1 small cucumber (diced)
- fresh basil (for garnish)
Vinaigrette
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 lemon (juiced)
-
First, cook the tortellini following the instructions on the package. Drain and set aside to cool.
-
Next, get a large bowl that will fit all of your ingredients including the tortellini.
-
Prepare all of the fresh ingredients by chopping, dicing, or cutting those that need to be broken down into smaller pieces.
-
Place all of the vinaigrette's ingredients into a mason jar and shake together well.
-
In the large bowl, mix together the tortellini, fresh veggies, cheese, and salami with the vinaigrette. (You may not need to use all of the vinaigrette, use your best judgment. I set aside some of the vinaigrette for people to add to their individual dish in case they wanted more on the pasta salad.)
-
Place some fresh basil on top to garnish. Enjoy!
