Description
This Garden Tortellini Pasta Salad is the perfect blend of cheesy tortellini, crisp vegetables, and zesty vinaigrette. Ideal for meal prep, summer gatherings, or a quick lunch, it’s fresh, flavorful, and beautifully colorful. Serve it chilled for a refreshing bite any time of year.
Ingredients
1 (20 oz) package cheese tortellini
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup cucumber, diced
1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup kalamata olives, halved
1 cup mozzarella pearls
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook tortellini according to package instructions (about 3–5 minutes). Drain and rinse with cold water. Let cool.
Notes
Don’t skip rinsing the pasta with cold water—this stops the cooking and prevents sticking.
For added flavor, marinate the mozzarella pearls in olive oil and herbs a few hours ahead.
The salad is best after chilling at least 20–30 minutes, giving time for the flavors to meld.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No Bake / Cold Prep
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 430mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: pasta salad, tortellini, picnic, summer salad