Description

A vibrant and flavorful pasta salad featuring cheese-filled tortellini, fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and Italian dressing. Perfect for potlucks, barbecues, and make-ahead meals.

Ingredients

Scale

20 oz cheese tortellini (1 package)
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
8 oz fresh mozzarella balls, halved
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
1 cup black olives, sliced
1/2 medium red onion, finely diced
6 oz salami, diced
1 cup Italian dressing
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook tortellini according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water, then pat dry with a clean kitchen towel.
2. While pasta cooks, prepare all vegetables by halving cherry tomatoes, slicing olives, dicing salami into bite-sized pieces, and finely chopping red onion. Tear basil leaves by hand.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled tortellini with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, olives, red onion, and salami.
4. Pour Italian dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently but thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
5. Add grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, then toss again to distribute throughout the salad.
6. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed, keeping in mind that flavors will intensify as the salad chills.
7. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
8. Before serving, stir the salad and add a few tablespoons of extra dressing if needed to refresh the pasta.

Notes

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reserve extra dressing to refresh the salad before serving, as pasta absorbs liquid over time. Can be made 24 hours in advance for best flavor development. Not recommended for freezing due to texture changes in vegetables and cheese.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Boiling
Cuisine: American-Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 320
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 680mg
Fat: 18g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 14g