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 few 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 rooster to skewers and sausages. I like that it’s make-ahead pleasant, which makes occasion prep approach much less nerve-racking. 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 every little thing.
Searching 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
- Excellent for summer time – This chilled pasta salad is refreshing, mild, and made for heat climate gatherings.
- Make-ahead pleasant – You possibly can prep it hours prematurely, supplying you with extra time to calm down and benefit from the occasion.
- Pairs with every little thing – From grilled rooster 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 substances you possibly can be ok with.
- Customizable – Swap in your favourite veggies, add protein, meats, cheese, or toss in further herbs to make it your personal.
Components 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 possibly can evenly blanch them in the event you desire a softer texture.
- Tomatoes – Use candy grape or cherry tomatoes, sliced in half for juicy bursts of taste.
- Purple Onion – Provides simply the appropriate chunk. 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 in order for you a brinier twist.
- Easy Dressing – A drizzle of additional virgin olive oil and pink wine vinegar seasoned with salt, recent garlic, garlic powder, and dried parsley brings every little thing collectively.
Methods to Make Tortellini Pasta Salad
Right here’s the simple steps to have this tortellini salad in your subsequent occasion. See recipe card beneath for actual measurements.
- Prepare dinner the tortellini – Boil in accordance with package deal instructions. Drain and rinse with chilly water to cease the cooking and funky it down rapidly.
- Blanch the broccoli (elective) – For a brighter shade and barely tender chunk, rapidly blanch broccoli florets in boiling water for 30 seconds, then shock in ice water. Or maintain 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 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 every little thing is coated.
- Chill and serve – Refrigerate for not less than 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 recent.
Variations and Swaps
- Greens – Combine and match with what you’ve gotten 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 Increase – Flip this right into a major 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 further creamy and indulgent.
- Contemporary Herbs – Brighten it up with recent 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 Suggestions
This pasta salad is greatest made just a few hours forward—and even the night time earlier than—making it a stress-free possibility 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 might be made as much as in the future prematurely. Simply cowl and refrigerate, then give it a superb 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 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 Measurement: 1 cup
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Carry 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 accordance with package deal instructions.
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Drain and rinse beneath chilly water then add to a big bowl with the remaining substances.
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Combine effectively and refrigerate till chilled. Serve chilly.
Final Step:
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- Tortellini: Shelf-stable tortellini holds up higher than recent in pasta salads. Prepare 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: Greatest served chilly—might 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: Attempt child mozzarella balls, feta, grilled rooster, or salami to show this right into a extra filling major 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