I recently prepared an Italian Tortellini Pasta salad blending soft cheese tortellini, savory salami, fresh mozzarella cubes, and crisp red bell pepper and cucumber. A vibrant Italian vinaigrette of olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano and basil ties the flavors together for unmatched summer delight, bringing pure dining bliss.

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I absolutely love this recipe for Easy Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad because its bright, bold flavors always surprise me. I first came across it when I was craving a dish that was both simple to prep and fun to eat at every get together.

The pillowy cheese tortellini paired with crisp red bell pepper and cucumber makes every bite exciting. I also toss in some sliced salami and cubed fresh mozzarella that add a savory touch which totally boosts the taste.

And don’t even get me started on the herby Italian vinaigrette I whip up with extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano and basil along with some salt and pepper. The mix of veggies and meats with this tangy dressing kinda sets this pasta salad apart from others.

It quickly became one of my go-to dishes and I can see it being a hit at all kinds of parties.

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe cause it mixes creamy cheese tortellini with fresh veggies. The flavors really pop and it feels like a burst of summer in every bite. I also really appreciate how easy it is to make. I mean, even if I’m in a hurry, I can throw this salad together and it always turns out great. Another thing is the Italian twist with the salami, fresh mozzarella, and tangy vinaigrette; its a cool combo that keeps the dish interesting and not too boring. Lastly, making it ahead of time and chilling it makes it a perfect party dish, which always makes me feel like a boss in the kitchen.

Ingredients

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Cheese Tortellini: Hearty pasta stuffed with cheese provides alot of energy-giving carbohydrates.
Salami: Zesty salami have savory protein and rich fatty flavor, even if not super healthy.
Fresh Mozzarella: Creamy mozzarella adds mild protein, calcium, and a luxuriously melty texture.
Red Bell Pepper: Bright red bell pepper brings fiber, vitamins and a subtle sweet tang.
Cucumber: Cool cucumber introduces refreshing crunch and healthy hydration for the dish.
Cherry Tomatoes: Juicy tomatoes burst with tangy flavor and essential vitamins.
Red Onion: Thinly sliced red onion gives a spicy crisp bite along with antioxidants.
Italian Vinaigrette: Tangy vinaigrette mixes olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic and herbs to balance everything.
Overall Dish: A colorful medley that is filling, healthy and full of zesty flavor.

Ingredient Quantities

1 lb cheese tortellini

8 oz salami, sliced into strips

8 oz fresh mozzarella, cubed

1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced

1 cucumber, seeded and diced

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

For the Italian vinaigrette: 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

3 tbsp red wine vinegar

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp dried basil

Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make this

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1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the cheese tortellini according to package directions until al dente, then drain and rinse with cool water.

2. While the pasta is cooking, dice the red bell pepper and cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, and thinly slice the red onion.

3. In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper until well combined.

4. Lay out the salami slices and cut them into strips, then cube the fresh mozzarella.

5. In a big salad bowl, add the cooled tortellini, chopped salami, cubed mozzarella, diced red bell pepper, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.

6. Pour the Italian vinaigrette over the salad and gently toss everything so that it all gets nicely coated.

7. Taste the salad and add more salt or pepper if needed.

8. Cover the bowl and let it chill in the fridge for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld.

9. Give the salad one last gentle toss before serving.

10. Enjoy your Easy Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad at your party, potluck or just for a simple, delicious dinner!

Equipment Needed

1. Large pot for boiling the salted water
2. Colander for draining the tortellini
3. Cutting board for chopping the veggies and slicing the salami and mozzarella
4. Chef’s knife for dicing and cubing the ingredients
5. Small bowl for mixing the Italian vinaigrette
6. Whisk or fork to combine the vinaigrette ingredients
7. Big salad bowl to toss all the salad ingredients together
8. Measuring cups and spoons to portion out the olive oil, vinegar, and spices
9. Refrigerator to chill the salad before serving

FAQ

Can I use a different pasta than cheese tortellini?

Yeah, you can use other types if you want, but the cheese tortellini really gives the dish its classic creaminess so it's kinda hard to beat.

How long will the salad keep in the fridge?

The salad should be good in an airtight container for about 3 days, though it tastes best when its fresh out of the bowl.

Can I make it ahead of time for a party?

For sure, you can prep most of the ingredients in advance. Just mix everything and keep the dressing on the side until you're ready to serve.

What's the deal with the red wine vinegar in the dressing?

The red wine vinegar gives the dressing a nice tang that cuts through the richness of the cheese and salami, addin a bit of zing to the dish.

Any tips for customizing this salad?

Sure, you can swap the salami for other kinds of cured meats or add fresh basil for an extra burst of flavor if you're in the mood for a twist.

Easy Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Cheese Tortellini: You can use stuffed ravioli if you cant find tortellini at your grocery store.
Salami: Pepperoni makes a good substitute if you wanna add a bit more kick to the dish.
Fresh Mozzarella: If you run out, try using bocconcini, they pretty much have a similar feel and flavor.
Red Bell Pepper: A yellow or green bell pepper works just as well if red isnt available.
Red Wine Vinegar: White wine vinegar is a fair swap to keep that tangy vibe in the dressing.

Pro Tips

1) When you’re cookin the tortellini, make sure you rinse it with cool water after draining so it dont keep cookin in its own heat which could make it mushy later on
2) Let the salad chill for at least an hour in the fridge before serving, this is key because all the flavors really have time to meld together
3) Try to chop your veggies into pretty much the same size so every bite has a good mix of crunch and yum, it helps keep the salad balanced
4) If you like a bit of extra freshness, sprinkle some extra basil on top right before serving, it really makes the flavors pop and isnt too over the top

Easy Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe

Recipe by Francis Mead

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

692

kcal

Equipment: 1. Large pot for boiling the salted water
2. Colander for draining the tortellini
3. Cutting board for chopping the veggies and slicing the salami and mozzarella
4. Chef’s knife for dicing and cubing the ingredients
5. Small bowl for mixing the Italian vinaigrette
6. Whisk or fork to combine the vinaigrette ingredients
7. Big salad bowl to toss all the salad ingredients together
8. Measuring cups and spoons to portion out the olive oil, vinegar, and spices
9. Refrigerator to chill the salad before serving

Ingredients

1 lb cheese tortellini
8 oz salami, sliced into strips
8 oz fresh mozzarella, cubed
1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 cucumber, seeded and diced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
For the Italian vinaigrette: 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the cheese tortellini according to package directions until al dente, then drain and rinse with cool water.
While the pasta is cooking, dice the red bell pepper and cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, and thinly slice the red onion.
In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Lay out the salami slices and cut them into strips, then cube the fresh mozzarella.
In a big salad bowl, add the cooled tortellini, chopped salami, cubed mozzarella, diced red bell pepper, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.
Pour the Italian vinaigrette over the salad and gently toss everything so that it all gets nicely coated.
Taste the salad and add more salt or pepper if needed.
Cover the bowl and let it chill in the fridge for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld.
Give the salad one last gentle toss before serving.
Enjoy your Easy Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad at your party, potluck or just for a simple, delicious dinner!

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.