This chilly Tortellini Pasta Salad is the last word BBQ facet dish—loaded with cheese tortellini, juicy summer season 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 all the time 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 occasion prep approach much less tense. Whether or not you’re heading to a yard BBQ or internet hosting a summer season potluck, this tortellini pasta salad is contemporary, flavorful, and constructed for sharing. The straightforward selfmade Italian dressing ties all of it collectively—and it’s so good, you’ll wish to drizzle it on every thing.
Searching for easier summer season sides? Don’t miss my Macaroni Salad, my wholesome Coleslaw Recipe, or this Greek Pasta Salad.
Why You’ll Love This Tortellini Pasta Salad
- Good for summer season – This chilled pasta salad is refreshing, gentle, and made for heat climate gatherings.
- Make-ahead pleasant – You may prep it hours prematurely, supplying you with extra time to loosen up and benefit from the occasion.
- Pairs with every thing – From grilled hen to burgers and veggie skewers, it’s the last word BBQ facet dish.
- No bottled salad dressing – The straightforward selfmade Italian dressing is made with elements you’ll be able to be ok with.
- Customizable – Swap in your favourite veggies, add protein, meats, cheese, or toss in additional 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 contemporary in chilly pasta salads and has nice taste.
- Broccoli – Chop into small, bite-sized florets. You may flippantly blanch them when you want a softer texture.
- Tomatoes – Use candy grape or cherry tomatoes, sliced in half for juicy bursts of taste.
- Purple Onion – Provides simply the fitting chunk. Choose 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 pink wine vinegar seasoned with salt, contemporary garlic, garlic powder, and dried parsley brings every thing collectively.
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.
- Cook dinner the tortellini – Boil in response to 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 colour 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 contemporary 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 thing is coated.
- Chill and serve – Refrigerate for a minimum of 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 contemporary.
Variations and Swaps
- Greens – Combine and match with what you will have readily available. Chopped bell peppers, zucchini, cucumber, or celery all work nice. Roasted or grilled veggies like asparagus or eggplant can add additional taste, too.
- Protein Increase – Flip this right into a primary 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 additional creamy and indulgent.
- Recent Herbs – Brighten it up with contemporary 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 Ideas
This pasta salad is finest made a number of hours forward—and even the night time earlier than—making it a stress-free choice for summer season entertaining. Tortellini pasta salad stays contemporary 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 could 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 hen, or skewers and makes a colourful addition to any summer season 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
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Deliver 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 response to package deal instructions.
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Drain and rinse beneath chilly water then add to a big bowl with the remaining elements.
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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 contemporary in pasta salads. Cook 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: Finest served chilly—could 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 hen, or salami to show this right into a extra filling primary 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
