Description
Bright, colorful, and packed with flavor, this Garden Tortellini Pasta Salad is a quick dinner, healthy snack, or easy potluck option you’ll want to make again and again. Featuring cheese-filled tortellini, fresh veggies, creamy mozzarella pearls, and a zesty Italian dressing, it’s a delicious twist on classic pasta salad. Perfect for those looking for quick breakfast ideas, easy dinner recipes, or meal prep lunch options, this dish is as versatile as it is satisfying.
Ingredients
1 package (9 oz) refrigerated cheese tortellini
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup cucumber, diced
1/3 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup kalamata olives, halved
1 cup mozzarella pearls
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or basil
1/2 cup Italian dressing
1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook tortellini according to package instructions (about 3–5 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water.
2. While tortellini cools, prep your vegetables: halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, slice the red onion, and halve the olives.
3. In a large bowl, combine cooked tortellini, vegetables, mozzarella pearls, and herbs.
4. Pour the Italian dressing over the mixture. Add black pepper and Italian seasoning.
5. Gently toss everything together to evenly coat.
6. Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving.
7. Taste and adjust seasoning or add more dressing if needed.
8. Serve cold or at room temperature with your favorite main dish or on its own.
Notes
For best results, don’t overcook the tortellini—al dente is ideal.
Use firm, fresh vegetables to keep the salad from becoming watery.
Add fresh herbs right before serving to maintain their vibrant flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: pasta salad, summer salad, quick dinner, potluck salad, easy pasta recipe