Tortellini Salad Italian Dressing (Printable Version)

Cheese tortellini with crisp vegetables and zesty Italian dressing—ready in 22 minutes.

# What You 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 Steps:

01 - Boil tortellini according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold water to stop cooking process. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside.
02 - Combine halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced red bell pepper, sliced red onion, and sliced black olives in a separate large mixing bowl.
03 - Add cooled tortellini to the vegetable mixture along with halved mozzarella balls and torn fresh basil leaves. Toss gently to distribute evenly.
04 - Whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
05 - Pour dressing over salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly. Sprinkle grated Parmesan over the top and toss lightly once more.
06 - Serve immediately at room temperature or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to allow flavors to meld together.

# Helpful Tips:

01 -
  • It gets better as it sits so you can make it hours before guests arrive and actually relax before they show up
  • The combination of cold tender pasta with burst tomatoes and creamy mozzarella hits every texture craving at once
02 -
  • Never skip rinsing the pasta under cold water or the tortellini will keep cooking and become gummy while you prep everything else
  • The salad needs at least 15 minutes in the refrigerator after tossing so the dressing can penetrate the pasta properly
03 -
  • Reserve a handful of grated Parmesan to sprinkle on top right before serving so it stays bright and doesn't disappear into the salad
  • If making this for a crowd don't toss it until you arrive at your destination so the vegetables stay crisp and vibrant

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