Description
Salami-mozzarella tortellini pasta salad brings Mediterranean charm to your table with bold Italian flavors. Crisp ingredients and zesty dressing create a perfect summer meal that refreshes and satisfies you completely.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta Ingredients:
- 12 oz tortellini pasta
- 4 oz salami, diced
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella, cubed
Vegetables:
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
Dressing and Seasonings:
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook tortellini according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
- Drain the tortellini and immediately rinse with cold water to halt the cooking process and prevent sticking, then allow to cool completely.
- While pasta cools, prepare the vegetables by halving cherry tomatoes, thinly slicing red onion, and roughly chopping fresh basil leaves.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to create a vibrant dressing.
- Transfer cooled tortellini to a large serving bowl and gently fold in diced salami, cubed mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.
- Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta mixture and carefully toss to ensure even coating and distribution of ingredients.
- Sprinkle chopped basil leaves over the salad and gently mix to incorporate.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and develop, creating a more cohesive and delicious pasta salad.
- Before serving, give the salad a final gentle stir and adjust seasoning if needed, then serve chilled.
Notes
- Pasta Cooking Pro Tip: Always cook tortellini just until al dente to maintain a perfect chewy texture and prevent mushiness.
- Cooling Hack: Rinsing pasta with cold water immediately stops the cooking process and prevents clumping, ensuring each tortellini remains separate and appetizing.
- Flavor Enhancing Trick: Letting the salad rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes allows the dressing to penetrate the ingredients, creating a more complex and harmonious taste profile.
- Dietary Flexibility: Swap salami with turkey salami or plant-based alternatives for a lighter or vegetarian version of this crowd-pleasing pasta salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg