Cheese Tortellini Salad (Printable Version)
Tender cheese tortellini tossed with crisp vegetables, fresh mozzarella, and zesty Italian dressing for a satisfying cold pasta salad.
# 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 to stop cooking and cool completely. Set aside.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced red bell pepper, sliced red onion, black olives, halved mozzarella balls, and torn basil leaves.
03 - Add the cooled tortellini to the bowl with the vegetable and cheese mixture.
04 - 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.
05 - Pour the dressing evenly over the salad. Gently toss to coat all ingredients thoroughly.
06 - Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top and toss lightly once more. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to allow flavors to meld together.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The dressing soaks into the pasta making every bite more flavorful than the last
- It travels beautifully and actually tastes better after sitting for an hour
02 -
- Never skip rinsing the pasta under cold water or it will keep cooking and become mushy
- The salad tastes best at room temperature so take it out of the fridge 20 minutes before serving
03 -
- Cut all your vegetables slightly larger than you think you should because they shrink in the dressing
- Taste and adjust the seasoning after the salad has sat for 15 minutes