Italian Cold Tortellini Salad | What’s Cookin’ Italian Style Cuisine

Tender cheese tortellini is tossed with juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, creamy avocado, briny olives, and a flavorful homemade dressing that brings everything together.

What I especially love about this salad is how easy it is to make your own.

You can add grilled chicken, salami, mozzarella, peppers, artichokes, or fresh herbs to turn it into a complete meal.

It’s perfect for summer cookouts, potlucks, picnics, parties, or an easy lunch that can be made ahead of time.

The tortellini makes this salad more substantial than a traditional pasta salad, while the fresh vegetables keep every bite bright and refreshing.

Why You Will Love This Tortellini Salad

• Easy to make: Most of the work is simply cooking the tortellini and chopping the vegetables.
• Perfect for entertaining: It can be prepared ahead and served cold.
  A complete meal: Add chicken, shrimp, salami, or another favorite protein.
• Full of texture: You get creamy avocado, crunchy cucumber, juicy tomatoes, tender pasta, and salty olives in every bite.
• Easy to customize: Use your favorite vegetables, cheese, herbs, and pasta.
• Great for leftovers: The flavors become even better after the salad has had time to chill.

Delicious Mix-in Suggestions

• This is one of those recipes where you can clean out the refrigerator and create something completely different every time.
• Try adding:
  Pepperoni, Genoa salami, Diced ham, Grilled chicken, Cooked shrimp
• Feta cheese, Parmesan cheese, Provolone cheese,
• Artichoke hearts, Roasted red peppers, Banana peppers, Pepperoncini
•  Sun-dried tomatoes
• Fresh spinach.Arugula. Broccoli florets. Red or yellow bell peppers. Green onions. Carrots. Celery. Corn.
• Chickpeas, Cannellini beans
•  For an extra Mediterranean-style salad, add feta cheese, artichoke hearts, pepperoncini, roasted red peppers, and oregano.
• For an Italian-inspired version, add salami, pepperoni, mozzarella, roasted red peppers, and banana peppers.
• For a heartier lunch, add grilled chicken or shrimp.

What Other Pasta Can I Use?

Although cheese tortellini makes this salad extra delicious, you can substitute several other types of pasta.

• Rotini.  Its spirals hold onto the dressing beautifully and make a great traditional pasta salad.
• Bow Tie Pasta
  Farfalle gives the salad a pretty presentation and works especially well with chunky vegetables.
• Penne makes a heartier salad and holds up well when prepared ahead.
• Cavatappi. The corkscrew shape catches the dressing and makes every bite flavorful.
• Cheese Ravioli. Small ravioli can be substituted for tortellini for another delicious filled-pasta salad.
• Tri-Color Rotini.This is an especially colorful choice for parties and summer gatherings.

A Few Dressing Variations

• Creamy Italian Dressing: Replace part of the olive oil with mayonnaise or Greek yogurt for a creamy version.
• Balsamic Dressing: Use balsamic vinegar instead of red wine vinegar for a slightly sweeter, richer flavor.
• Lemon Herb Dressing: Increase the lemon juice and add fresh parsley, basil, oregano, and a little garlic.
• Pesto Dressing: Whisk a few tablespoons of basil pesto into the dressing for an extra punch of basil flavor.
• Store-Bought Shortcut: A good-quality Italian dressing works perfectly when you’re short on time.

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Tips for Making the Best Tortellini Salad

1. Don’t overcook the tortellini. Slightly firm tortellini works best for a cold pasta salad.
   Cool the pasta completely.
2. Warm tortellini can soften the vegetables and cause the dressing to absorb too quickly.
3. Add avocado near serving time. An avocado can brown and become soft if it sits in the salad for several hours.
4. Don’t overdress the salad. Start with most of the dressing and add more as needed.
5. The tortellini will absorb some of it as it sits.
6. Let it chill. Even 30 minutes makes a noticeable difference in flavor.
7. Save a little dressing. If you’re making this salad a day ahead, reserve a few tablespoons of dressing to freshen it before serving.

Cold tortellini salad, Tortellini pasta salad, Cheese tortellini salad, Easy tortellini salad, Italian tortellini salad, Cold pasta salad, Italian pasta salad, Tortellini salad recipe

pasta recipes, salad recipes, tortellini recipes, cold salad recipes pasta salad recipes

American, Italian

Yield: 12

Author: Claudia Lamascolo

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Italian Cold Tortellini Salad

If you’re looking for a cold pasta salad that’s colorful, hearty, and full of fresh flavor, this Loaded Cold Tortellini Salad is perfect.

Prep time: 20 MinCook time: 20 MinInactive time: 30 HourTotal time: 30 H & 40 M

Ingredients

• 1 package (20 ounces) refrigerated cheese tortellini (frozen or fresh, cooked and drained according to package instructions).
• 1 1/2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 cups steamed or raw broccoli florets (whichever you prefer, we steam ours)
• 1 large seedless cucumber, sliced or chopped
• 1 large avocado, diced
• 1/2 cup Kalamata or black olives, sliced
• 2 cloves minced fresh garlic
• 1 cup cubed mozzarella (or another cheese you prefer, cut into small pieces)
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
• 1/2 a seeded and chopped bell pepper, or chopped jalapeno pepper for heat if you prefer
• For the Homemade Dressing
• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 small garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons honey
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Optional: 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese or more to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare and boil the tortellini according to the package instructions and drain in salt water. Toss them in a few tablespoons of olive oil and set aside (prevents them from sticking).
2. Prepare the broccoli and steam it, and if using raw, cut in bite sized pieces.
3. Note: Avoid overcooking, as you want the meat to retain its shape.
4. While the pasta is cooking, chop the tomatoes, seedless cucumber, avocado, peppers, and fresh herbs.
5. In a small glass jar, add the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, garlic, honey, salt, and pepper. Shake, taste, and adjust the seasoning, and set aside.
6. If you prefer a sharper dressing, add another splash of vinegar or lemon juice. For a slightly sweeter dressing, add another small amount of honey.
7. Place the cooled tortellini, tomatoes, broccoli, cucumber, olives, mozzarella, parsley, and basil in a large serving bowl.
8. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
9. Fold in the avocado last so it doesn’t become mashed.
10. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to meld the flavors.
11. Serve with more chopped fresh herbs on top and ( freshly grated cheese if using).

Notes

Delicious Mix-in Suggestions

• This is one of those recipes where you can clean out the refrigerator and create something completely different every time.
• Try adding: Pepperoni, Genoa salami, Diced ham, Grilled chicken, Cooked shrimp
•  Feta cheese, Parmesan cheese, Provolone cheese,
•  Artichoke hearts, Roasted red peppers, Banana peppers, Pepperoncini
•  Sun-dried tomatoes
• Fresh spinach.Arugula. Broccoli florets. Red or yellow bell peppers. Green onions. Carrots. Celery. Corn.
•  Chickpeas, Cannellini beans
•  For an extra Mediterranean-style salad, add feta cheese, artichoke hearts, pepperoncini, roasted red peppers, and oregano.
• For an Italian-inspired version, add salami, pepperoni, mozzarella, roasted red peppers, and banana peppers.
• For a heartier lunch, add grilled chicken or shrimp.

What Other Pasta Can I Use?

Although cheese tortellini makes this salad extra delicious, you can substitute several other types of pasta.

• Rotini. Its spirals hold onto the dressing beautifully and make a great traditional pasta salad.
• Bow Tie Pasta Farfalle gives the salad a pretty presentation and works especially well with chunky vegetables.
• Penne makes a heartier salad and holds up well when prepared ahead.
• Cavatappi. The corkscrew shape catches the dressing and makes every bite flavorful.
• Cheese Ravioli. Small ravioli can be substituted for tortellini for another delicious filled-pasta salad.
• Tri-Color Rotini.This is an especially colorful choice for parties and summer gatherings.

A Few Dressing Variations

• Creamy Italian Dressing: Replace part of the olive oil with mayonnaise or Greek yogurt for a creamy version.
• Balsamic Dressing: Use balsamic vinegar instead of red wine vinegar for a slightly sweeter, richer flavor.
• Lemon Herb Dressing: Increase the lemon juice and add fresh parsley, basil, oregano, and a little garlic.
• Pesto Dressing: Whisk a few tablespoons of basil pesto into the dressing for an extra punch of basil flavor.
• Store-Bought Shortcut: A good-quality Italian dressing works perfectly when you’re short on time.

Tips for Making the Best Tortellini Salad

1. Don’t overcook the tortellini. Slightly firm tortellini works best for a cold pasta salad. Cool the pasta completely.
2. Warm tortellini can soften the vegetables and cause the dressing to absorb too quickly.
3. Add avocado near serving time. An avocado can brown and become soft if it sits in the salad for several hours.
4. Don’t overdress the salad. Start with most of the dressing and add more as needed.
5. The tortellini will absorb some of it as it sits.
6. Let it chill. Even 30 minutes makes a noticeable difference in flavor.
7. Save a little dressing. If you’re making this salad a day ahead, reserve a few tablespoons of dressing to freshen it before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Sodium (milligrams)

434 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

22 mg

The default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.

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Try Some of Our Other Favorite Salads

Avocado and Black Bean Salad
Panzanella Salad
Italian Potato Salad
Butternut Squash Arugula Salad
Roasted Beet Salad