Tortellini Salad Italian Dressing (Printable)
Tender tortellini with crisp vegetables in zesty Italian dressing
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz fresh cheese tortellini
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
04 - 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
06 - 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
→ Cheese & Herbs
07 - 1/3 cup fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), halved
08 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
09 - 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, torn
→ Dressing
10 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
11 - 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
12 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
13 - 1 clove garlic, minced
14 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
15 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
# Directions:
01 - Boil tortellini according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold running water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Transfer to a large bowl.
02 - Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and bell pepper, thinly slice the red onion, and slice the black olives. Add all prepared vegetables to the mixing bowl.
03 - Cut the mozzarella balls in half and add to the bowl along with the torn basil leaves. Gently toss to distribute ingredients evenly.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
05 - Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan over the top and toss once more.
06 - Serve immediately at room temperature, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to allow flavors to meld. Do not store longer as the pasta will absorb excess dressing.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- This salad somehow tastes even better after sitting for a bit, so you can make it ahead without stress
- The combination of textures from chewy tortellini to crunchy vegetables keeps every bite interesting
02 -
- Rinse the pasta thoroughly under cold water or it will keep cooking and become mushy in the salad
- Wait until just before serving to add the final Parmesan topping or it will disappear into the dressing
03 -
- Buy the freshest mozzarella you can find, ideally from the specialty cheese section rather than pre-packaged
- Taste the dressing before adding it to the salad and adjust the salt and acid to your liking