A colorful and tasty Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad with cheesy tortellini, fresh tomatoes, herbs, mozzarella, and salami. This recipe works as both the perfect side dish and a light main dish salad making it ideal for potlucks, picnics, backyard barbecues, and family reunions.
Course pasta salad
Cuisine Italian
Keyword Italian pasta salad, pasta salad, tortellini pasta
Prep Time 15 minutesminutes
Cook Time 10 minutesminutes
Servings 8servings
Calories 314kcal
Author Beth Pierce
Ingredients
116 ounce bag cheese tortellini
1 1/2cupscups halved grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes
1small red pepper diced
1/3cupchopped red onion
8ouncesmozzarella balls
1/2cupsliced pepperoncini
8ouncessalami chopped
1tablespoonchopped fresh basil leaves
1teaspoonchopped fresh Italian parsley
1teaspoonchopped fresh oregano
1cupItalian dressing
kosher salt
fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
Cook tortellini according to package directions. Drain in a colander and rinse with cold water. Add the tortellini, tomatoes, bell peppers, red onion, mozzarella balls, pepperoncini, salami, basil, parsley, and oregano.
Drizzle with the dressing and toss gently to coat. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
Do not overcook the tortellini pasta. For best results, cook slightly al dente.
Fresh herbs are best. If you must use dried herbs, remember that dried herbs are more concentrated. So you only need one-third of the amount.
I use grape tomatoes, but you can use any fresh sun-ripened tomatoes.
Use your favorite bottled Italian salad dressing or whip up somehomemade dressing.
Mozzarella balls are available in the fresh cheese case at most grocery stores. You can substitute cubes or even shredded mozzarella if that is all that is available.
Along with the bell peppers, I like to add cherry peppers and pepperoncini. Any tasty fresh or jarred pepper will add oodles of flavor.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.