Description
A bright and satisfying Garden Tortellini Pasta Salad packed with cheese tortellini, crisp cucumbers, sweet cherry tomatoes, colorful bell peppers, red onion, and a zesty red wine vinaigrette. This easy pasta salad is perfect for summer picnics, meal prep, potlucks, and quick weeknight dinners. Keywords: garden tortellini pasta salad, tortellini salad, pasta salad, summer salad, picnic salad, vegetarian pasta salad.
Ingredients
20 ounces cheese tortellini
1.5 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup cucumber, diced
1 cup bell peppers, diced
0.25 cup red onion, thinly sliced
0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
0.33 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
0.75 teaspoon kosher salt
0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add tortellini and cook until al dente according to package directions.
2. Drain tortellini and rinse under cold water to stop cooking, then spread on a tray to cool and dry slightly.
3. Chop cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, and red onion. Chop parsley.
4. Whisk olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
5. In a large bowl, combine cooled tortellini, vegetables, and parsley.
6. Pour dressing over salad and toss gently until everything is coated.
7. Refrigerate 30 minutes to let flavors meld, then serve chilled.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt, pepper, or vinegar before serving.
Notes
Chill time improves flavor and texture, so try not to skip it.
Cook tortellini just to al dente to keep it bouncy in the salad.
If making ahead, reserve a tablespoon of dressing to freshen the salad right before serving.
Salt your pasta water so the tortellini is seasoned from within.
Pat the cooled tortellini dry so the dressing clings better.
For extra richness, fold in 0.25 cup grated Parmesan just before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg