Tortellini Salad Italian Dressing (Print version)

Cheese tortellini tossed with fresh vegetables, 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 make it:

01 - Prepare tortellini according to package directions. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold running water to stop cooking process. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside.
02 - Combine cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, black olives, halved mozzarella balls, and torn basil in the bowl with cooled tortellini.
03 - Whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
04 - Pour dressing over salad mixture. Gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly. Sprinkle grated Parmesan over top and toss lightly. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to allow flavors to develop.

# Expert suggestions:

01 -
  • The dressing soaks into every nook and cranny of the tortellini while the vegetables stay crisp
  • You can assemble it hours before guests arrive and it actually tastes better after sitting
  • The combination of cold pasta with fresh vegetables hits that perfect spot between salad and comfort food
02 -
  • Rinse the pasta under cold water until it feels cool to the touch or the vegetables will wilt from residual heat
  • The salad needs at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator for flavors to meld but no more than 2 hours or the pasta absorbs all the dressing
  • Fresh mozzarella must be well drained or the salad becomes watery
03 -
  • Cut all vegetables into pieces roughly the same size as the tortellini for the best texture in every bite
  • Toast the oregano in a dry pan for 30 seconds before adding to the dressing for deeper flavor

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