Tortellini Salad Italian Dressing (Print View)

Tender cheese tortellini tossed with crisp vegetables and zesty Italian dressing, perfect for picnics or potlucks.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz fresh cheese tortellini

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
04 - 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
06 - 1/4 cup black olives, sliced

→ Cheese & Herbs

07 - 1/3 cup fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), halved
08 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
09 - 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, torn

→ Dressing

10 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
11 - 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
12 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
13 - 1 clove garlic, minced
14 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
15 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - Prepare tortellini according to package directions. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold water until completely cooled. Set aside.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, black olives, mozzarella balls, and fresh basil.
03 - Add cooled tortellini to the vegetable mixture.
04 - Whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
05 - Pour dressing over salad and toss gently to coat evenly. Sprinkle grated Parmesan over top and toss lightly once more.
06 - Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to allow flavors to meld together.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The cold pasta soaks up that zesty Italian dressing while the vegetables stay crisp and fresh
  • You can prep everything ahead and it actually tastes better after chilling for a bit
02 -
  • Rinse the cooked tortellini thoroughly under cold water or the pasta will continue cooking and absorb all the dressing
  • Do not add the dressing until you are ready to serve or the vegetables will become wilted and soggy
03 -
  • Pat the mozzarella balls dry with paper towels before adding them to prevent the salad from becoming watery
  • Let the dressed salad sit for just 10 minutes before serving to let the tortellini absorb some of the dressing flavor

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