Tortellini Salad Italian Dressing (Printable View)
Cheese-filled tortellini tossed with crisp vegetables and zesty Italian dressing for a refreshing meal.
# Ingredient List:
→ 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 - Boil tortellini according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold running 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, black olives, halved mozzarella balls, and torn basil leaves in a large salad bowl.
03 - Add cooled tortellini to the vegetable mixture and 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 cheese on top and lightly toss once more.
06 - Serve immediately at room temperature, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to allow flavors to meld together for enhanced taste.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- Its the kind of dish that actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge for a few hours
- The tortellini makes it feel substantial enough for dinner but still light and fresh
02 -
- Rinse the pasta thoroughly with cold water or it'll keep cooking and turn into mush
- The salad will absorb some dressing as it sits, so you might want to make a little extra
03 -
- Buy the mozzarella balls already marinated in herbs for an automatic flavor boost
- Spin the tortellini in a salad spinner after rinsing to remove excess water