Tortellini Pasta Salad is the perfect picnic recipe, packed to the rim with amazing flavors. Tortellini, vegetables, cheese, and salami all come together with our delicious Italian dressing.
Nothing says summer quite like pasta salad recipes. There are endless things that you can do with a pasta salad from the veggies you put in to the dressing you put on top of it. This Tortellini Pasta salad is a riff on my Italian Pasta Salad recipe.
We use easy to find ingredients to make this great Tortellini Pasta Salad and then we round it off with my homemade Italian dressing. The result is a delicious pasta salad recipe that you will be requested to bring to family functions over and over again.
How to Make Tortellini Pasta Salad
This recipe is as simple as cooking the pasta, making the dressing, and combining all the ingredients.
Tips and Tricks
- Both fresh and dry tortellini can be used in this recipe. It is just a matter of preference and budget.
- Follow my tips on cooking pasta. My post How to Cook Pasta outlines all my tips on making pasta.
- Swap the pasta. If your family isn’t into tortellini, any small pasta will work great in this recipe.
Making Pasta Salad Ahead
This cheese tortellini pasta salad is best within 24 hours of making it. If you are making it the night before, I recommend that you leave off the dressing and add it right before serving. This will prevent the noodles from absorbing all of the Italian dressing and getting mushy.
Storing Leftovers
This pasta salad with Italian dressing can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. When eating leftovers, I recommend tossing in some extra Italian dressing. If you take it to a picnic and it is left out for two hours, toss it. Always use your best discretion with leftovers. I would not recommend freezing this recipe.
If you try this cheese tortellini pasta salad recipe or any of my other recipes, please leave a comment and let me know what you think!
Tortellini Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 pound tortellini cooked and drained
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 small red onion diced
- 1 orange bell pepper diced
- 2 cups grape tomatoes sliced in half
- 3 ounces salami cut into half inch cubes
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 8 ounces pearl mozzarella
- 1/2 cup fresh basil diced
Italian Dressing
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 3/4 cup olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
- dash black pepper to taste
- dash red pepper flakes to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a roaring boil. Season the water with kosher salt. Add the tortellini and cook for the length of time indicated on the box, being careful not to over-cook.1 pound tortellini, 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- While the pasta is cooking, combine the ingredients for the dressing.1/4 cup red wine vinegar, 3/4 cup olive oil, 3 garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, dash black pepper, dash red pepper flakes
- In a large bowl, combine the tortellini, vegetables, salami, olives, cheese, and basil. Toss with this dressing and enjoy!1/2 small red onion, 1 orange bell pepper, 2 cups grape tomatoes, 3 ounces salami, 1/4 cup sliced black olives, 8 ounces pearl mozzarella, 1/2 cup fresh basil
Shari Stump says
I served the pasta salad yesterday to my women’s group…and they loved it. It couldn’t have been easier to make – and it served a lot of people! I made the dressing on Tuesday and the salad on Wednesday morning – and it was perfect! Another home run, Lisa!
I’m so happy to hear this! You made my day, Shari!
Sheryl says
Tried to leave 5 stars, but system would not allow!
Definitely 5 stars!
I’m so glad you liked it, Sheryl!