By Krista Teigen
Updated Dec 4, 2024
Cheese tortellini are one of life’s simple pleasures. If I could eat them every single day, I probably would. I created this tortellini pasta salad recipe to combine two of my favorite foods: cheese tortellini and pasta salad. I tossed cooked and cooled cheese tortellini in a tangy-sweet dressing with tomatoes, cheese, salami, peppers, onions, and herbs to create a next-level tasty Italian pasta salad! This is sure to become my new cookout staple!
This tortellini pasta salad recipe is my fun riff on classic Italian pasta salad ! Creamy, cheese-stuffed tortellini are the perfect base for a heartier pasta salad that can be a meal on its own or a side for your favorite grilled meats. This salad is pretty simple to make and comes together in less than an hour!
What’s in This Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe?
- Tortellini: Cheese tortellini are the classic choice. Fresh or frozen both work. Just follow the directions on the package.
- Olive Oil: Adds flavor and richness to the dressing.
- Vinegar: Red wine vinegar adds a tart and acidic flavor to the dressing.
- Mustard: Dijon mustard adds tanginess and a touch of spice to the dressing.
- Honey: Adds natural sweetness to the dressing to balance out the acidity. Pure maple syrup also works well, but don’t use pancake syrup.
- Garlic: Minced fresh garlic creates a savory base of flavor for the dressing.
- Tomatoes: Add a pop of fresh and juicy flavor. I like grape or cherry tomatoes best.
- Cheese: Fresh mozzarella pearls add creaminess to the salad. If I have Parmesan on hand, I like to grate a little bit over individual servings, too!
- Salami: Adds saltiness and protein to the salad. Summer sausage is a great alternative.
- Bell Pepper: I like to use a yellow bell pepper for color and crunch, but any color will work.
- Pepperoncini: Adds a touch of spice and tang!
- Onion : Red onion adds a bit of bite to the salad.
- Herbs : Fresh parsley and basil add color and freshness to the salad.
Tips for Success
- Cook the tortellini to just below al dente to keep them from falling apart. I recommend rinsing the tortellini under cold water to quickly stop their cooking.
- Toss the tortellini with some oil or dressing immediately to keep them from sticking together.
- Drain the chopped veggies on paper towels to avoid a soggy salad.
- If the red onion is too strong, I like to soak the cut pieces in ice water for 10 minutes to mellow them out.
- This salad is a great make-ahead recipe, as the flavor develops as it sits. I recommend chilling the salad for at least 30 minutes prior to serving for the best flavor.
How to Store
Store leftover tortellini pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Enjoy chilled from the refrigerator for the best taste.
Serving Suggestions
I love the versatility of this Italian tortellini pasta salad. A large bowl makes a great filling meal, or I can serve small portions alongside different proteins to check off both my veggie and starch! My favorite dishes to serve it with are air fryer chicken thighs , pizza burgers , or caprese stuffed salmon !
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 17-20 ounces cheese tortellini (1 large package)
- ▢ ⅓ cup olive oil
- ▢ ½ cup red wine vinegar
- ▢ 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ▢ 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- ▢ 1 clove garlic minced
- ▢ ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ▢ 16 ounces grape tomatoes halved (2 pints)
- ▢ 8 ounces fresh mozzarella pearls (1 package)
- ▢ 1 cup chopped salami or summer sausage
- ▢ 1 yellow bell pepper chopped
- ▢ ½ cup sliced pepperoncini peppers
- ▢ ¼ cup red onion finely chopped
- ▢ ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- ▢ ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
Video
Instructions
- Boil the tortellini according to the package directions. Drain and let it cool in the refrigerator. 17-20 ounces cheese tortellini
- Add the olive oil, red wine vinegar, dijon mustard, honey, garlic, salt, and pepper to a large salad bowl. Whisk to combine. ⅓ cup olive oil, ½ cup red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 clove garlic, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Add the tomatoes, mozzarella, sausage, bell pepper, pepperoncini, onion, and herbs to the bowl, and toss with the dressing. 16 ounces grape tomatoes, 8 ounces fresh mozzarella pearls, 1 cup chopped salami, 1 yellow bell pepper, ½ cup sliced pepperoncini peppers, ¼ cup red onion, ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley, ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
- Once the tortellini is cool, add it to the salad and give the salad another toss to coat everything in the dressing.
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Tortellini Pasta Salad Step by Step
Make the Dressing: Boil 17-20 ounces of cheese tortellini according to the package directions. Drain and let it cool in the refrigerator. Add ⅓ cup of olive oil, ½ cup of red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 minced clove of garlic, ½ teaspoon of kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper to a large salad bowl. Whisk to combine.
Prep the Veggies: Add 16 ounces of halved grape tomatoes, 8 ounces of fresh mozzarella pearls, 1 cup of chopped salami, 1 chopped yellow bell pepper, ½ cup of sliced pepperoncini peppers, ¼ cup of finely chopped red onion, ¼ cup of chopped fresh parsley, and ¼ cup of chopped fresh basil to the bowl, and toss with the dressing.
More Pasta Salad Recipes to Try!
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
Tri-Color Pasta Salad
Green Goddess Pasta Salad Recipe
Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 17-20 ounces cheese tortellini (1 large package)
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- ½ cup red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 16 ounces grape tomatoes halved (2 pints)
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella pearls (1 package)
- 1 cup chopped salami or summer sausage
- 1 yellow bell pepper chopped
- ½ cup sliced pepperoncini peppers
- ¼ cup red onion finely chopped
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Boil the tortellini according to the package directions. Drain and let it cool in the refrigerator. 17-20 ounces cheese tortellini
- Add the olive oil, red wine vinegar, dijon mustard, honey, garlic, salt, and pepper to a large salad bowl. Whisk to combine. ⅓ cup olive oil, ½ cup red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 clove garlic, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Add the tomatoes, mozzarella, sausage, bell pepper, pepperoncini, onion, and herbs to the bowl, and toss with the dressing. 16 ounces grape tomatoes, 8 ounces fresh mozzarella pearls, 1 cup chopped salami, 1 yellow bell pepper, ½ cup sliced pepperoncini peppers, ¼ cup red onion, ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley, ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
- Once the tortellini is cool, add it to the salad and give the salad another toss to coat everything in the dressing.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
