Tortellini Salad Italian Dressing (Print Version)
Tender cheese tortellini tossed with crisp vegetables, fresh mozzarella, and a 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
# How to Make It:
01 - Prepare tortellini according to package directions. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold running water until completely cooled. Set aside.
02 - In a large serving bowl, combine halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced red bell pepper, thinly sliced red onion, and sliced black olives.
03 - Add halved mozzarella balls and torn fresh basil leaves to the vegetable mixture.
04 - Add cooled tortellini to the bowl with vegetables and cheese.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
06 - Pour dressing over salad ingredients and toss gently to coat evenly.
07 - Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over top and toss lightly. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to allow flavors to meld.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It's one of those rare dishes that actually tastes better after sitting for a while, letting all those flavors become friends
- The combination of tender cheese-filled pasta with crisp vegetables creates this perfect texture that keeps every bite interesting
02 -
- Rinsing the pasta under cold water is not optional, it prevents the tortellini from becoming gummy and stops the cooking process completely
- This salad needs at least thirty minutes in the refrigerator to let the flavors meld properly
03 -
- If making this ahead, wait to add the basil until just before serving to prevent it from turning dark
- Reserve a small amount of dressing to refresh the salad if it's been sitting for a while