Tortellini Salad
This post has affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support.
When it comes to cozy comfort food, there’s nothing like pasta! Whether it’s a big bowl of spaghetti and meatballs or a classic mac and cheese, pasta is the ultimate comfort food. But have you ever tried an easy tortellini salad? This easy-to-make salad is packed with flavor and is the perfect addition to picnics, BBQs, cookouts, or even just a light lunch.
Tortellini Salad is full of cheesy stuffed pasta, olives, grape tomatoes, pickled peppers, and parmesan cheese. Toss it with your favorite homemade or store-bought vinaigrette, and this easy salad is done!
Versatile Pasta!
Tortellini is a type of filled pasta that is traditionally stuffed with cheese or meat and is often served in soups or with a simple tomato sauce. But when you toss it with fresh vegetables and a tangy dressing, it becomes the star of the show.
You can find refrigerated tortellini in the refrigerated section of your grocery store. There is also dried tortellini found in the dry pasta section of the store. I have never made this salad with that dry pasta, so I can’t tell you if it works for this recipe.
One of the best things about this tortellini salad recipe is how versatile it is! Serve it warm or cold; it won’t disappoint! It makes it the perfect dish to bring to a summer BBQ or to enjoy as a light lunch on a warm day.
And because it’s a pasta salad, it’s hearty enough to serve as a main dish for a light lunch. Just add a lettuce base if you feel like you want more vegetables.
What You Need for this Easy Pasta Salad:
- Refrigerated Tortellini Pasta, I used this one from Buitoni
- salami or pepperoni, sliced or diced
- grape tomatoes
- sliced pepperoncini
- Black olives- but try green or Greek olives!
- shredded parmesan
- Italian dressing, store-bought or your own homemade Italian dressing
- Large pot to cook pasta
- strainer
- large bowl
- wooden spoon
- salt
- cracked black pepper
Customize It!
The beauty of tortellini salad is that it’s completely customizable. You can use any stuffed flavor of tortellini your like or have on hand! Add in whatever fresh chopped vegetables and herbs you have on hand. You can also switch up the dressing to suit your tastes. I love Olive Garden Vinaigrette but use your own dressing recipe if you prefer
Plus, add any of these ingredient variations to make your salad JUST for you!
Such as:
- Bell Peppers
- Fresh Mozzarella, slices or balls
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Feta Cheese
- Pitted Kalamata Olives
- Sliced Olives
- Green Olives
- Chopped Cucumbers
- Chopped Zucchini
- Green Onions
- Thawed Green Peas
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- Artichoke Hearts
- sliced banana peppers
- Pesto
- Fresh Herbs
- cubes of sharp cheddar cheese
- Crispy bacon bits
We love pasta!
Try this BLT Pasta Salad. Everything you love about a BLT but in a cold salad! As a side dish!
Or if Tortellini is your thing, then try this Creamy Tortellini Soup for a delicious meal everyone loves. And, of course, another favorite way to use tortellini is this Sausage Tortellini Soup.
Got Leftovers?
Store this salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Or store it in the mixing or serving bowl covered with plastic wrap. Store any leftover tortellini salad in the same manner.
Italian Tortellini Salad
Ingredients
- 20 ounces cheese tortellini refrigerated
- 10 oz. salami cut into bite-sized pieces, can use pepperoni instead
- 1 cup grape tomatoes halved
- 1 cup black olives
- 1 cup pepperoncini peppers sliced
- ½ cup parmesan shredded
- 1 ½ cups Italian dressing
- 1 pinch salt to taste
- 1 pinch cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook tortellini in a pot of salted, boiling water for one minute less than called for on the pasta package
- While the pasta cooks, get the rest of the ingredients ready to go, chopping or opening any cans or jars
- when the pasta is cooked, drain, and rinse with cold water until cool; shake off any extra water
- Combine the pasta and the salad ingredients together in a large mixing bowl
- Sprinkle the cheese over the salad
- pour the salad dressing over the salad as well
- stir gently to combine
- let rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving
- toss the salad before serving, taste for salt and pepper and add as needed
