Tortellini Pasta Salad (Print View)

Tender cheese tortellini with crisp vegetables in zesty Italian dressing

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 1 lb fresh cheese tortellini

→ Vegetables

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

→ Cheese & Herbs

07 - 1/2 cup mozzarella balls (bocconcini), halved
08 - 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

→ Dressing

09 - 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
10 - 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
11 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
12 - 1 clove garlic, minced
13 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
14 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Method:

01 - Prepare tortellini according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold water to halt cooking process. Set aside to cool completely.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, toss together halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced red bell pepper, sliced black olives, chopped red onion, halved mozzarella balls, and fresh basil until evenly distributed.
03 - Whisk together extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl or jar until emulsified and smooth.
04 - Add cooled tortellini to the vegetable mixture. Pour dressing over salad and toss gently but thoroughly to ensure all components are evenly coated.
05 - Refrigerate salad for minimum 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Toss once more immediately before serving to redistribute dressing.

# Insider Tips:

01 -
  • It actually gets better after sitting in the fridge, making it perfect for meal prep
  • The cheese-filled pasta keeps it substantial enough to stand alone as a meal
  • Everyone who tries it asks for the recipe, guaranteed
02 -
  • Rinsing the pasta under cold water is not optional, it prevents the tortellini from sticking together
  • The salad needs that chilling time or the flavors will taste separate and unharmonious
  • Fresh basil can turn dark if tossed too early, so fold it in gently right before serving
03 -
  • Cut all your vegetables into similar sizes so every forkful has the perfect ratio of ingredients
  • Taste the dressing before adding it to the salad and adjust the acidity to your liking

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