Our zesty, Italian-inspired tortellini salad is a hearty side dish that pairs well with any protein, but it can also stand alone as a light lunch, making it a favorite vegetarian dish.
This cold summer salad features cheese tortellini and Mediterranean vegetables in a light Italian dressing. Soft mozzarella pearls bring variety of texture to the dish, creating a truly delightful dish!
Best enjoyed on the day its made, this tortellini salad travels well and is a great addition to potlucks, party spreads, and barbeques. Just be sure to bring copies of the recipe along so you’re ready when people ask for it!
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What Is Tortellini Salad?
Tortellini Salad is a cold pasta salad with a vinaigrette-based dressing. Mozzarella cheese and Mediterranean vegetables give the salad a fresh taste and vibrant color that makes the salad as eye-catching as it is delicious.
Tortellini is a small pasta that is usually filled with ground meat, while slightly larger, cheese-filled pasta of the same shape is called tortelloni. In the United States, the lines between these two pastas is often blurred, so cheese-filled tortellini can be found on the market.
The legend behind the origin of tortellini is two parts entertaining, one part creepy. The story goes that Venus, goddess of love, decided to spend the night in a tavern in town of Castelfranco Emilia.
The innkeeper was understandably thrilled beyond measure to have a goddess visit his humble abode, but he got a little stalker-like. He peeped through the keyhole to Venus’ room and caught a glimpse of her au naturale.
Apparently, of all Venus’ goddess-y body parts, it was her belly button that he found most irresistible. He rushed from the keyhole to the kitchen and eagerly rolled out the first tortellini, capturing the likeness of Venus’ navel in the pasta’s plump swirls and curves.
Can I Make Substitutions?
Yes!
You can certainly use other pastas in this salad. If you can’t find tortellini, you can use mini ravioli, also called ravioletti, for a similar taste. If stuffed pastas aren’t your thing, using a sturdy pasta like radiatore or rotelle (also called wagon wheels) is recommended so they stand up the the bulkiness of the vegetables.
I enjoy using mozzarella pearls in this recipe. The softer texture of the cheese provides a nice textural addition to the pasta and vegetables. However, you can certainly change this up according to your own preferences. Cut up a block of cheese, use a shredded version, even slice up a few string cheese sticks.
Since this is an Italian-inspired salad, I’ve used Mediterranean vegetables. But you can add or omit any veggies that don’t please your palate or your dietary lifestyle. Like Grandma used to say, a recipe is just a guide!
How Long Does This Salad Last?
This salad is always best the day it is made. The Italian dressing softens the vegetables and pasta the longer it sits, and it can also toughen the cheese. While it’s good for up to 3 days in a sealed container in the refrigerator, keep in mind that the quality of the salad will diminish over time.
For this reason, I recommend that you prepare it no more than six hours before serving. That gives the dressing a chance to marinate the vegetables, but it doesn’t change the consistency of the other ingredients in a negative way.
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Directions
- Cook tortellini according to package directions. Drain.
- In a large bowl, combine tortellini, tomatoes, zucchini, and mozzarella cheese. Stir.
- Add shredded basil, olives, and Italian dressing. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and fold into salad.
Try These Salads, Too!
- Our retro-inspired Tangy Four Bean Salad is as classic as they come
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- Get your daily dose of antioxidants with Easy English Pea Salad
Zesty Tortellini Salad
Difficulty: Easy10
servings30
minutes30
minutesThis super easy, hearty salad takes only 30 minutes to make and is always a winner!
Ingredients
2- 9 oz packages cheese tortellini
3 plum tomatoes, seeded and cut
1 zucchini, sliced and quartered
8 oz mozzarella pearls, drained
1/3 cup shredded fresh basil
2.25 oz can sliced black olives, drained
1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
- Cook tortellini according to package directions. Drain.
- In a large bowl, combine tortellini, tomatoes, zucchini, and mozzarella cheese. Stir.
- Add shredded basil, olives, and Italian dressing. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and fold into salad.
Original Publishing Date: 8/2/2022
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