Description
This Garden Tortellini Pasta Salad is a fresh and flavorful pasta salad packed with cheese tortellini, juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and basil, all tossed in a zesty Italian dressing. Perfect for meal prep, potlucks, and summer gatherings, this easy tortellini salad comes together fast and stays delicious for days. Keywords: garden tortellini pasta salad, tortellini salad, pasta salad, summer potluck, vegetarian pasta salad.
Ingredients
20 ounces cheese tortellini
1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup cucumber, diced
1 cup red bell pepper, diced
⅓ cup red onion, thinly sliced
½ cup black olives, sliced
¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
¾ cup Italian dressing
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, optional
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook tortellini according to package directions until just tender.
2. Drain tortellini and rinse under cold water to stop cooking, then spread on a tray to cool completely.
3. Prep vegetables by halving cherry tomatoes, dicing cucumber and bell pepper, thinly slicing red onion, and chopping basil.
4. Add cooled tortellini, tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, onion, olives, and basil to a large bowl.
5. Pour Italian dressing over the salad and toss gently until evenly coated.
6. Season with salt and pepper, add Parmesan if using, and toss again.
7. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours to let flavors meld, then serve chilled.
Notes
Make it ahead: This salad tastes even better after chilling because the dressing infuses the pasta.
Customize it: Add grilled chicken, salami, or chickpeas for extra protein, or swap veggies based on season.
Freshness tip: Dress lightly at first and add a splash more right before serving if the pasta absorbs dressing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boil and Chill
- Cuisine: American Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 720
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 16
- Cholesterol: 45