Description
A vibrant and flavorful Italian Pasta Salad featuring cheese tortellini, fresh vegetables, and a zesty Italian dressing. Perfect as a light lunch or a side dish, this antipasto salad combines savory salami, creamy bocconcini, and a medley of garden-fresh ingredients for a refreshing and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 1 cup Italian Dressing (or 1 cup Homemade Italian Dressing)
Salad
- 20 oz. cheese tortellini (bag refrigerated, 1 bag store-bought)
- 1 cucumber (sliced and quartered, seeded if desired)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 can black olives (6 oz. can, drained and halved)
- 1 roasted red pepper (chopped)
- ½ medium red onion (thinly sliced)
- 2 pepperoncini (chopped)
- 1 cup mini bocconcini
- 1 cup deli salami (chopped)
- 2 tbsp fresh basil (julienned)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
- 2 tbsp parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1 tsp fresh basil (chopped) (for garnish)
- 1 tsp fresh parsley (chopped) (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare Dressing: If using homemade Italian dressing, prepare it first and set aside in the fridge to chill while you make the salad.
- Cook Tortellini: Boil salted water and cook the cheese tortellini according to package directions. Once cooked, rinse with cool water to stop cooking, drain well, and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Toss Tortellini with Dressing: Pour half of the Italian dressing over the warm tortellini and toss thoroughly to ensure the pasta is evenly coated with flavor.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Add cucumber, cherry tomatoes, drained black olives, chopped roasted red pepper, thinly sliced red onion, chopped pepperoncini, mini bocconcini, deli salami, julienned basil, chopped parsley, and grated parmesan cheese into the bowl with the dressed tortellini.
- Combine the Salad: Pour the remaining dressing over the entire salad mixture and toss gently but thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill and Serve: The salad can be served immediately; however, for best flavor, refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld and for the tortellini to cool completely.
- Garnish and Enjoy: Just before serving, garnish with additional grated parmesan, fresh chopped basil, and fresh chopped parsley to enhance presentation and flavor.
Notes
- For a homemade Italian dressing, combine olive oil, vinegar, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and a touch of sugar or honey.
- Seeding the cucumber is optional but can reduce excess water in the salad.
- The salad can be prepared a few hours ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator to intensify flavors.
- Feel free to substitute salami with other deli meats or make it vegetarian by omitting the salami and adding extra vegetables.
- This salad is best served chilled but can be enjoyed at room temperature if preferred.
