Description
Tender cheese tortellini tossed with crisp vegetables, fresh mozzarella, and zesty Italian dressing for a satisfying cold pasta dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz fresh cheese tortellini
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/3 cup fresh mozzarella balls, halved
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, torn
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare tortellini according to package directions. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold running water to stop cooking and cool pasta. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside.
- Step 2: Halve the cherry tomatoes. Dice cucumber and red bell pepper into uniform pieces. Thinly slice red onion. Slice black olives. Add all prepared vegetables to the bowl with cooled tortellini.
- Step 3: Cut mozzarella balls in half. Tear fresh basil leaves into small pieces. Add mozzarella and basil to the salad bowl.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 5: Pour dressing over salad mixture. Gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly. Sprinkle grated Parmesan over top and toss lightly once more.
- Step 6: Serve immediately at room temperature, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to allow flavors to develop. Toss again before serving if chilled.
Notes
Rinse cooked tortellini immediately to prevent a gummy texture. Let the salad chill for at least 30 minutes for flavors to meld.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 415 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
Keywords: tortellini salad, pasta salad, Italian salad, cold pasta, vegetarian lunch