Tortellini Salad Italian Dressing (Printable Version)
Cheese tortellini with crisp vegetables in zesty Italian dressing, perfect for picnics and 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
# Preparation Steps:
01 - Boil tortellini according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold running water to stop cooking process. Transfer to a large bowl.
02 - Halve cherry tomatoes. Dice cucumber and red bell pepper into small, even pieces. Thinly slice red onion. Slice black olives.
03 - Add prepared vegetables, halved mozzarella balls, and torn basil to the cooled tortellini. Toss gently to distribute evenly.
04 - Whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
05 - Pour dressing over salad mixture. Fold carefully to coat all ingredients without tearing tortellini.
06 - Sprinkle grated Parmesan over top. Gently toss once more. Serve immediately or chill for up to 2 hours for enhanced flavor.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The combination of cold tender tortellini with crisp vegetables creates the most satisfying texture contrast
- It actually tastes better after sitting for a bit making it perfect for meal prep or make-ahead gatherings
02 -
- Rinsing the cooked pasta under cold water is crucial or it will continue cooking and become gummy
- The salad needs at least 30 minutes in the fridge for the flavors to properly marry together
03 -
- Cut your vegetables slightly larger than you think you should because they will soften slightly as the salad sits
- Use a wooden bowl if you have one since it somehow makes pasta salads taste more authentic