Tortellini Salad Italian Dressing (Printable)
Tender tortellini with crisp vegetables and zesty Italian dressing, ideal for sharing or fresh dining.
# What's Needed:
→ 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
# How to Make It:
01 - Boil tortellini according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold running water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Transfer to a large bowl.
02 - Combine cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, black olives, halved mozzarella balls, and torn basil in the bowl with the cooled tortellini.
03 - Whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
04 - Pour dressing over salad and toss gently to coat evenly. Sprinkle grated Parmesan on top and toss once more. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to meld flavors.
# Tips for Success:
01 -
- The tortellini stays perfectly tender even after sitting in dressing for hours, unlike regular pasta that gets mushy
- You can prep everything ahead and toss it together right before serving, making it ideal for stressfree entertaining
02 -
- Rinsing the cooked tortellini under cold water stops the cooking process completely and washes away excess starch so the pasta does not stick together
- This salad tastes even better after sitting for an hour in the refrigerator as the tortellini absorbs the dressing
03 -
- Pat your cooked tortellini dry with paper towels before adding to the salad so the dressing is not watered down
- Let the salad come to room temperature for 20 minutes before serving if it has been refrigerated