Tortellini Salad Italian Dressing (Printable)

Tender cheese tortellini tossed with crisp vegetables, fresh mozzarella, and zesty Italian dressing for a satisfying cold pasta dish.

# 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 Prepare:

01 - Boil tortellini according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and rinse under cold running water to stop cooking and cool pasta. Transfer to a large bowl.
02 - Halve cherry tomatoes, dice cucumber and red bell pepper into small cubes, thinly slice red onion, and slice black olives. Halve the mozzarella balls.
03 - Add prepared tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, olives, mozzarella, and torn basil leaves to the cooled tortellini. Toss gently to distribute evenly.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
05 - Pour dressing over salad mixture and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients. Sprinkle grated Parmesan over top and toss lightly once more.
06 - Serve immediately for best texture, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to allow flavors to meld together. Toss again before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The pasta absorbs that tangy Italian dressing as it sits, so leftovers actually taste better the next day
  • You can prep everything ahead and toss it together in minutes when guests arrive
02 -
  • Let the salad sit for at least 15 minutes before serving so the pasta soaks up the dressing
  • The tortellini will absorb moisture, so add a splash more dressing right before serving if it looks dry
03 -
  • Rinse the cooked pasta under cold water immediately to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking
  • Spin your vegetables dry after washing so the dressing doesnt become watered down

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