Tortellini Pasta Salad is a fun, flavor-packed twist on the classic! Cheesy tortellini gets tossed with fresh veggies, zesty dressing, and your favorite add-ins like olives, salami, or mozzarella balls—perfect for picnics, potlucks, or just a really good lunch.
I’ll admit it—I grab that big pack of Costco tortellini like it’s a prize every time I’m there. It’s my secret weapon for last-minute meals, and turning it into a pasta salad is my favorite move. Just boil it up, toss with some veggies, dressing, and whatever bits and pieces are in the fridge (Costco salami, anyone?), and boom—instant potluck hero. It’s the kind of dish that tastes like summer and convenience had a delicious baby.
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Try some of our other favorite salad recipes: Marinated Cucumber Tomato Onion Salad, Spinach Apple Salad with Cranberries, Cucumber Sweet Pepper Salad, or Caprese Pasta Salad.
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Ingredients for Tortellini Pasta Salad
- tortellini
- black olives
- mozzarella balls
- salami
- red bell pepper
- red onion
- cherry or grape tomatoes
- Italian dressing
FAQs
Yes! It actually tastes better after chilling for a few hours. Just give it a quick toss before serving to redistribute the dressing.
Italian, balsamic vinaigrette, pesto, or a creamy dressing like ranch or Caesar all work well depending on your flavor preference.
Rinsing with cold water helps stop the cooking process and cools the pasta down for salad use.
It will keep well for about 3–4 days in an airtight container.
Yes! Just cook it according to package instructions, then drain and cool it down before tossing it into your salad.
Top Tips
- Cook tortellini just until tender – Avoid overcooking; you want them firm enough to hold up in the salad without getting mushy.
- Rinse with cold water – After cooking, rinse the tortellini under cold water to cool it down and stop the cooking process.
- Let it chill before serving – Give your pasta salad at least an hour in the fridge to let the flavors meld.
- Refresh before serving – Add a little extra dressing before serving if it looks dry after chilling.
How to make Tortellini Pasta Salad
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta.
- Transfer to a large bowl and drizzle with ¼ cup of Italian dressing. Toss gently to coat.
- Add the chopped veggies, cheese, and meat. Toss everything together gently.
- Pour in the remaining dressing, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Add more dressing if desired.
- Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour to let the flavors combine or serve immediately. Before serving, give it a quick toss and extra dressing, if needed. Serve and enjoy!
Tortellini Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 16 oz cheese tortellini
- 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup black olives, sliced
- ½ cup red onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup mozzarella pearls
- 8 oz salami, cubed
- 1 cup Italian salad dressing
- salt, pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta.
- Transfer to a large bowl and drizzle with ¼ cup of Italian dressing. Toss gently to coat.
- Add the chopped veggies, cheese, and meat. Toss everything together gently.
- Pour in the remaining dressing, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Add more dressing if desired.
- Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour to let the flavors combine or serve immediately. Before serving, give it a quick toss and extra dressing, if needed. Serve and enjoy!
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