This chilly Tortellini Pasta Salad is the last word BBQ aspect dish—loaded with cheese tortellini, juicy summer time tomatoes, crisp broccoli, and briny black olives.
Tortellini Salad
There’s one thing a couple of chilled pasta salad that simply hits in the summertime—and this straightforward tortellini model is at all times a crowd favourite. It pairs completely with something off the grill, from burgers and BBQ rooster to skewers and sausages. I really like that it’s make-ahead pleasant, which makes social gathering prep manner much less anxious. Whether or not you’re heading to a yard BBQ or internet hosting a summer time potluck, this tortellini pasta salad is contemporary, flavorful, and constructed for sharing. The easy home made Italian dressing ties all of it collectively—and it’s so good, you’ll need to drizzle it on all the pieces.
On the lookout for simpler summer time sides? Don’t miss my Macaroni Salad, my wholesome Coleslaw Recipe, or this Greek Pasta Salad.
Why You’ll Love This Tortellini Pasta Salad
- Good for summer time – This chilled pasta salad is refreshing, gentle, and made for heat climate gatherings.
- Make-ahead pleasant – You possibly can prep it hours upfront, supplying you with extra time to chill out and benefit from the social gathering.
- Pairs with all the pieces – From grilled rooster to burgers and veggie skewers, it’s the last word BBQ aspect dish.
- No bottled salad dressing – The easy home made Italian dressing is made with elements you possibly can be ok with.
- Customizable – Swap in your favourite veggies, add protein, meats, cheese, or toss in additional herbs to make it your personal.
Elements You’ll Want
Right here’s what you’ll must make this backyard tortellini salad. See recipe card under for measurements.
- Cheese Tortellini – I really like utilizing Delallo’s shelf-stable three cheese tortellini. It holds up higher than contemporary in chilly pasta salads and has nice taste.
- Broccoli – Chop into small, bite-sized florets. You possibly can calmly blanch them when you desire a softer texture.
- Tomatoes – Use candy grape or cherry tomatoes, sliced in half for juicy bursts of taste.
- Pink Onion – Provides simply the fitting chew. Favor a milder possibility? Swap in thinly sliced shallot or inexperienced onions.
- Black Olives – Canned sliced olives save time, however kalamata olives work nice too if you need a brinier twist.
- Easy Dressing – A drizzle of additional virgin olive oil and pink wine vinegar seasoned with salt, contemporary garlic, garlic powder, and dried parsley brings all the pieces collectively.
How you can Make Tortellini Pasta Salad
Right here’s the simple steps to have this tortellini salad to your subsequent social gathering. See recipe card under for precise measurements.
- Cook dinner the tortellini – Boil in line with package deal instructions. Drain and rinse with chilly water to cease the cooking and funky it down rapidly.
- Blanch the broccoli (non-obligatory) – For a brighter coloration and barely tender chew, rapidly blanch broccoli florets in boiling water for 30 seconds, then shock in ice water. Or preserve them uncooked for crunch.
- Chop the veggies – Halve the cherry tomatoes, thinly slice the pink onion, and prep the olives if wanted.
- Make the dressing – In a small bowl, whisk collectively olive oil, pink wine vinegar, grated contemporary garlic, garlic powder, dried parsley, and kosher salt.
- Assemble the salad – In a big bowl, mix the cooked tortellini, broccoli, tomatoes, onion, and olives. Pour the dressing over and toss gently till all the pieces is coated.
- Chill and serve – Refrigerate for at the least half-hour earlier than serving to let the flavors meld. Toss once more earlier than serving and regulate seasoning if wanted.
Professional Tip
Rinsing the tortellini with chilly water prevents it from sticking and retains the salad cool and contemporary.
Variations and Swaps
- Greens – Combine and match with what you could have readily available. Chopped bell peppers, zucchini, cucumber, or celery all work nice. Roasted or grilled veggies like asparagus or eggplant can add additional taste, too.
- Protein Increase – Flip this right into a principal dish by including grilled rooster, shrimp, chickpeas, and even diced salami or ham.
- Cheese Choices – Crumbled feta provides tang, whereas child mozzarella balls (bocconcini) make it additional creamy and indulgent.
- Recent Herbs – Brighten it up with contemporary basil, dill, or parsley proper earlier than serving.
- Dressing Twist – Swap pink wine vinegar for lemon juice or balsamic vinegar for a barely sweeter taste profile.
Make Forward and Storage Ideas
This pasta salad is greatest made just a few hours forward—and even the evening earlier than—making it a stress-free possibility for summer time entertaining. Tortellini pasta salad stays contemporary for as much as 3 days when saved in an hermetic container within the fridge. Simply toss earlier than serving.
- Make Forward: This pasta salad might be made as much as someday upfront. Simply cowl and refrigerate, then give it a very good toss earlier than serving to redistribute the dressing.
- Storage: Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 days. If the pasta absorbs an excessive amount of dressing, refresh it with a splash of olive oil or vinegar earlier than serving.
What to Serve With Tortellini Salad
This chilled tortellini salad pairs completely with absolutely anything you’re grilling. It’s a terrific match for burgers, BBQ rooster, or skewers and makes a colourful addition to any summer time unfold.
Serve it alongside:
Planning a potluck? Add in different straightforward sides like my Potato Salad, Corn Tomato Avocado Salad, or Grilled Corn on the Cob for a well-rounded menu everybody will love.
Extra Pasta Recipes You’ll Love:
Yield: 14 servings
Serving Dimension: 1 cup
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Convey a big pot of salted water to a boil.
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When boiling, blanch the broccoli 15 to 30 seconds and take away with a slotted spoon and rinse beneath chilly water to cease it from cooking.
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Add the tortellini to the boiling water and cook dinner in line with package deal instructions.
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Drain and rinse beneath chilly water then add to a big bowl with the remaining elements.
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Combine properly and refrigerate till chilled. Serve chilly.
Final Step:
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- Tortellini: Shelf-stable tortellini holds up higher than contemporary in pasta salads. Cook dinner simply till al dente and rinse beneath chilly water to cease the cooking.
- Broccoli: For a softer texture, blanch broccoli florets in boiling water for 30 seconds, then shock in ice water.
- Make Forward: Finest served chilly—might be made as much as 1 day upfront. Toss earlier than serving and refresh with a splash of oil or vinegar if wanted.
- Add-Ins: Strive child mozzarella balls, feta, grilled rooster, or salami to show this right into a extra filling principal dish.
Serving: 1 cup, Energy: 192 kcal, Carbohydrates: 24 g, Protein: 6 g, Fats: 8 g, Saturated Fats: 2.5 g, Ldl cholesterol: 19 mg, Sodium: 398 mg, Fiber: 2.5 g, Sugar: 2.5 g