This chilly Tortellini Pasta Salad is the last word BBQ facet 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 simple tortellini model is at all times a crowd favourite. It pairs completely with something off the grill, from burgers and BBQ hen to skewers and sausages. I like that it’s make-ahead pleasant, which makes get together prep approach much less hectic. Whether or not you’re heading to a yard BBQ or internet hosting a summer time potluck, this tortellini pasta salad is recent, flavorful, and constructed for sharing. The straightforward do-it-yourself Italian dressing ties all of it collectively—and it’s so good, you’ll wish to drizzle it on all the pieces.
On the lookout for less difficult 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
- Excellent for summer time – This chilled pasta salad is refreshing, mild, and made for heat climate gatherings.
- Make-ahead pleasant – You may prep it hours prematurely, providing you with extra time to chill out and benefit from the get together.
- Pairs with all the pieces – From grilled hen to burgers and veggie skewers, it’s the last word BBQ facet dish.
- No bottled salad dressing – The straightforward do-it-yourself Italian dressing is made with components you’ll be able to be ok with.
- Customizable – Swap in your favourite veggies, add protein, meats, cheese, or toss in further herbs to make it your personal.
Elements You’ll Want
Right here’s what you’ll have to make this backyard tortellini salad. See recipe card beneath for measurements.
- Cheese Tortellini – I like utilizing Delallo’s shelf-stable three cheese tortellini. It holds up higher than recent in chilly pasta salads and has nice taste.
- Broccoli – Chop into small, bite-sized florets. You may evenly blanch them when you want a softer texture.
- Tomatoes – Use candy grape or cherry tomatoes, sliced in half for juicy bursts of taste.
- Pink Onion – Provides simply the suitable chunk. Desire a milder choice? Swap in thinly sliced shallot or inexperienced onions.
- Black Olives – Canned sliced olives save time, however kalamata olives work nice too if you would like a brinier twist.
- Easy Dressing – A drizzle of additional virgin olive oil and crimson wine vinegar seasoned with salt, recent garlic, garlic powder, and dried parsley brings all the pieces collectively.
How one can Make Tortellini Pasta Salad
Right here’s the straightforward steps to have this tortellini salad in your subsequent get together. See recipe card beneath for actual measurements.
- Cook dinner the tortellini – Boil based on package deal instructions. Drain and rinse with chilly water to cease the cooking and funky it down shortly.
- Blanch the broccoli (non-obligatory) – For a brighter shade and barely tender chunk, shortly blanch broccoli florets in boiling water for 30 seconds, then shock in ice water. Or hold them uncooked for crunch.
- Chop the veggies – Halve the cherry tomatoes, thinly slice the crimson onion, and prep the olives if wanted.
- Make the dressing – In a small bowl, whisk collectively olive oil, crimson wine vinegar, grated recent 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 alter seasoning if wanted.
Professional Tip
Rinsing the tortellini with chilly water prevents it from sticking and retains the salad cool and recent.
Variations and Swaps
- Greens – Combine and match with what you have got available. Chopped bell peppers, zucchini, cucumber, or celery all work nice. Roasted or grilled veggies like asparagus or eggplant can add further taste, too.
- Protein Enhance – Flip this right into a fundamental dish by including grilled hen, shrimp, chickpeas, and even diced salami or ham.
- Cheese Choices – Crumbled feta provides tang, whereas child mozzarella balls (bocconcini) make it further creamy and indulgent.
- Recent Herbs – Brighten it up with recent basil, dill, or parsley proper earlier than serving.
- Dressing Twist – Swap crimson wine vinegar for lemon juice or balsamic vinegar for a barely sweeter taste profile.
Make Forward and Storage Suggestions
This pasta salad is finest made a couple of hours forward—and even the night time earlier than—making it a stress-free choice for summer time entertaining. Tortellini pasta salad stays recent 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 will be made as much as in the future prematurely. 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 an incredible match for burgers, BBQ hen, or skewers and makes a colourful addition to any summer time unfold.
Serve it alongside:
Planning a potluck? Add in different simple 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
Carry a big pot of salted water to a boil.
When boiling, blanch the broccoli 15 to 30 seconds and take away with a slotted spoon and rinse below chilly water to cease it from cooking.
Add the tortellini to the boiling water and prepare dinner based on package deal instructions.
Drain and rinse below chilly water then add to a big bowl with the remaining components.
Combine effectively and refrigerate till chilled. Serve chilly.
Final Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us understand how you preferred this recipe! This helps our enterprise to thrive and proceed offering free, high-quality recipes for you.- Tortellini: Shelf-stable tortellini holds up higher than recent in pasta salads. Cook dinner simply till al dente and rinse below 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—will be made as much as 1 day prematurely. Toss earlier than serving and refresh with a splash of oil or vinegar if wanted.
- Add-Ins: Strive child mozzarella balls, feta, grilled hen, or salami to show this right into a extra filling fundamental 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
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