Description
This Zesty Italian Tortellini & Veggie Pasta Salad is a refreshing and vibrant dish featuring cheese tortellini tossed with fresh vegetables and a tangy Italian dressing. Perfectly chilled and bursting with Mediterranean flavors, it’s an easy-to-make salad ideal for picnics, potlucks, or a light meal any time of year.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 12 oz cheese tortellini
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
Dressing
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook Tortellini: Cook the cheese tortellini according to package instructions. Once cooked, drain the tortellini and rinse under cold water to cool them down and stop the cooking process.
- Combine Vegetables and Pasta: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled tortellini along with cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced red bell pepper, finely chopped red onion, sliced black olives, and chopped fresh basil. Mix gently to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Add Dressing: Pour the Italian dressing over the combined ingredients and toss gently to ensure every piece is well coated with the flavorful dressing.
- Season: Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir lightly to incorporate the seasoning evenly throughout the salad.
- Chill: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the salad to chill thoroughly.
- Serve: Serve the tortellini pasta salad cold or at room temperature for a refreshing and zesty meal or side dish.
Notes
- For a homemade Italian dressing, mix olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, dried oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar.
- You can add other vegetables like artichoke hearts or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor.
- For a protein boost, consider adding grilled chicken or chickpeas.
- Make sure to rinse the pasta under cold water to stop cooking and prevent it from sticking.
- Best served chilled but can be kept at room temperature for up to 2 hours before serving.
