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creamy tortellini pasta salad

Creamy Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Resting Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 servings

Equipment

  • 1 Large pot
  • 1 colander
  • 1 large mixing bowl
  • 1 Small mixing bowl
  • 1 Whisk
  • 1 Cutting board
  • 1 Chef's knife
  • 1 Wooden spoon
  • 1 measuring cup set
  • 1 measuring spoon set
  • 1 plastic wrap or airtight container

Ingredients
  

  • 20 ounce cheese tortellini frozen or refrigerated
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup cucumber diced
  • 1/2 cup red onion finely sliced
  • 1 cup bell pepper diced mixed colors
  • 1/2 cup black olives sliced
  • 1/2 cup salami diced
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella pearls drained
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise full-fat
  • 1/3 cup Italian dressing bottled or homemade
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 2 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.
  • Add the tortellini to the boiling water and cook according to package directions until just al dente.
  • Drain the tortellini in a colander and rinse gently under cold water to stop the cooking.
  • Let the tortellini drain well and cool while you prepare the vegetables and meats.
  • On a cutting board, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and bell pepper, finely slice the red onion, and dice the salami.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled tortellini, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, bell pepper, black olives, salami, and mozzarella pearls.
  • In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Italian dressing, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, dried oregano, dried basil, black pepper, and salt until smooth and emulsified.
  • Pour the dressing over the tortellini mixture and gently toss with a wooden spoon until everything is evenly coated.
  • Sprinkle in the grated parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley and toss again to distribute.
  • Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or transfer the salad to an airtight container.
  • Refrigerate the tortellini pasta salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
  • Before serving, stir the salad, taste, and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or dressing if needed.

Notes

For best results, avoid overcooking the tortellini so it stays firm and doesn’t fall apart in the salad, and make sure it is well-drained and cooled to prevent the dressing from becoming watery. You can prepare the salad up to a day ahead, but if doing so, reserve a little extra dressing to stir in just before serving to refresh the texture. Customize by adding vegetables like artichoke hearts or spinach, or omitting the salami for a vegetarian version. If the red onion is too sharp for your taste, soak the slices in cold water for 10 minutes, then drain and pat dry before adding. Keep the salad chilled and avoid leaving it at room temperature for more than 2 hours, especially because of the mayonnaise and cheese.
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