Tortellini Salad Italian Dressing (Printable)
Tender tortellini with crisp vegetables in zesty Italian dressing—ideal for gatherings or quick meals.
# 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 Make It:
01 - Prepare tortellini according to package directions. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold running water to stop cooking process. Set aside to cool completely.
02 - Halve the cherry tomatoes. Dice the cucumber and red bell pepper into uniform pieces. Thinly slice the red onion and slice the black olives.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked tortellini, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, black olives, halved mozzarella balls, and torn basil leaves.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
05 - Pour dressing over salad mixture. Gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly without damaging tortellini.
06 - Sprinkle grated Parmesan over top and toss lightly once more. Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 2 hours to allow flavors to develop.
# Tips from dashanddishes:
01 -
- The dressing soaks into the tortellini as it sits, making every bite more flavorful than the last
- You can prep everything ahead and toss it together in minutes
02 -
- Rinse the cooked tortellini under cold water immediately to prevent it from becoming sticky or clumping together
- This salad tastes even better after sitting for an hour, but add the basil and Parmesan right before serving
03 -
- Cut all vegetables into similar sized pieces so every forkful gets the same balance of flavors and textures
- Taste the dressing before adding it to the salad and adjust the vinegar if you prefer it brighter