Description
Delightful Italian “tortellini pasta salad” brings summer freshness to your table with colorful vegetables and zesty dressing. Cheese-filled pasta mingles with crisp ingredients, offering a perfect balance of flavors you’ll savor at picnics or family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1720 ounces (48.8 kilograms) cheese tortellini
- 16 ounces (454 grams) grape tomatoes, halved
- 8 ounces (227 grams) fresh mozzarella pearls
- 1 cup chopped salami or summer sausage
- 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
Peppers and Herbs:
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoncini peppers
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Dressing Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Boil the tortellini in salted water until tender, following package instructions for precise cooking time.
- Rapidly cool the pasta by transferring to a chilled colander and placing in the refrigerator to halt cooking process.
- Craft a vibrant vinaigrette by whisking together robust olive oil, tangy red wine vinegar, zesty Dijon mustard, golden honey, minced garlic, and seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Slice grape tomatoes into halves, cube mozzarella, chop salami into bite-sized pieces, and dice bell peppers and red onions into uniform fragments.
- Introduce the chopped pepperoncini, freshly chopped parsley, and delicate basil leaves into the mixing bowl.
- Gently fold all prepared ingredients into the whisked dressing, ensuring each component receives a luxurious coating.
- Retrieve the chilled tortellini and incorporate into the salad, carefully mixing to distribute flavors evenly without breaking the pasta.
- Allow the salad to marinate in the refrigerator for 30-45 minutes, permitting ingredients to meld and intensify their collective taste profile.
- Before serving, give a final gentle toss to redistribute the dressing and revive the salad’s glossy appearance.
Notes
- Ensure tortellini is cooked al dente to prevent mushy texture and maintain a pleasant chew.
- Marinate salami in dressing beforehand to enhance its flavor and help it blend seamlessly with other ingredients.
- Prep vegetables in uniform bite-sized pieces for consistent taste and easier eating experience.
- Make this dish gluten-free by substituting regular tortellini with gluten-free cheese or vegetable-filled alternatives for those with dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 389
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 630 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 28 mg