Description
Summer sparkles with this Italian-inspired tortellini pasta salad, where cheese-filled pasta mingles with crisp vegetables and zesty herbs. Fresh Mediterranean flavors dance through each colorful bite, inviting you to savor a perfect picnic or potluck companion.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 16 oz tortellini
- 1 cup cheese tortellini
- 1 cup meat tortellini
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup red onion
- 1/2 cup cucumber
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
Dressing and Seasonings:
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup kalamata olives
Instructions
- Cook tortellini in salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking process.
- While pasta cools, finely dice red onion, cucumber, and mince garlic cloves into tiny pieces.
- Halve cherry tomatoes and roughly chop fresh basil and parsley leaves.
- Whisk olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl to create a vibrant vinaigrette.
- Add cooled tortellini to the dressing, gently tossing to ensure even coating.
- Incorporate chopped vegetables, kalamata olives, and fresh herbs into the pasta mixture.
- Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese over the salad, gently folding to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and intensify.
- Before serving, give the salad a final gentle toss and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve chilled as a refreshing summer side dish or light meal.
Notes
- Prevent overcooking tortellini by setting a timer and testing for al dente texture, ensuring pasta remains firm and bouncy.
- Rinse pasta with cold water immediately after cooking to halt the cooking process and maintain a cool temperature for the salad.
- Dice vegetables uniformly to create consistent bite sizes and ensure even flavor distribution throughout the dish.
- Customize the salad by swapping tortellini with gluten-free alternatives or adding protein like grilled chicken for a more substantial meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg