Tortellini Salad

Tortellini Salad is a colorful pasta salad packed with flavor. It features tender ham, cheese tortellini, and fresh, crisp veggies. Serve it at spring and summer parties!

This Italian tortellini salad is perfect for picnics. You can’t beat the vibrance, incredible taste, and colors of the fresh vegetables and al dente pasta. Tortellini is the best type of pasta to eat. You are missing out if you haven’t used it in a pasta salad yet. Cheese-filled tortellini tastes fantastic, warm with sauce and cold with a homemade dressing. 

Each time you bring this easy pasta salad to parties and BBQs, it will always be one of the first dishes gobbled up by hungry guests. It takes pasta salad to a whole new level! This will very quickly become your favorite way to make cold pasta salad. 

Why You’ll Love Tortellini Salad

• Fresh, flavorful ingredients – It’s easy to add your favorite summer vegetables to it. 
• Perfect summer side dish – Serve it at a backyard BBQ or as a main dish for lunch. 
• Ready in 10 minutes – Other than the time for the salad to chill, this is the perfect choice for a last-minute side dish. 
• Leftovers are delicious – Leftover tortellini salad tastes even better than fresh. 
• Simple homemade Italian dressing – It’s easy to make your own salad dressing. 

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

This delicious side dish has just a few simple ingredients.

• Cheese Tortellini – This is the base of the tortellini salad recipe. 
• Cooked Ham – You’ll use diced deli ham or chop up some leftover ham from a recent meal. 
• Red Bell Pepper – Bell peppers add nutrition, color, and a fantastic crunch. 
• Carrots – You can either use matchstick carrots or julienne some fresh carrots.
• Frozen Peas – Cook them first, and then add them to the recipe. 
• Green Onions – Add them last; they are a perfect garnish at the end. 

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Dressing: 

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil – This will give the dressing a bit of a slip and make it easy to spread. 
• White Wine Vinegar – Adds tangy notes that are important to the dressing. 
• Whole Grain Mustard – This takes the simple side dish to a whole new level with bursts of flavor. 
• Fresh Parsley – Add this last as a garnish to taste it better. 
• Garlic Cloves – This adds an incredible aroma to the delicious tortellini pasta salad. 

How to Make Tortellini Salad

This pasta salad is incredibly easy and quick to make. In just three steps, you will have a delicious side meal with a few dishes to do afterward. 

• Step One: Cook cheese tortellini according to package instructions. Drain and rinse in cold water. Set aside.
• Step Two: Add cheese tortellini, ham, red pepper, carrots, peas, and green onions to a large bowl and toss to combine.

• Step Three: In a small bowl, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, white wine vinegar, wholegrain mustard, parsley, and garlic. Pour over salad and toss to combine.
• Step Four: Chill for 2 hours before serving.

Equipment Needed

These tools will help you prepare this recipe.

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• Whisk
• Bowl
• Garlic press
• Knives

What to Serve with Tortellini Salad

This pasta salad tastes like a traditional pasta salad, so it goes well with anything. Here are a few of my favorite recipes to serve with it. 

• Maple Dijon Grilled Chicken
• Instant Pot BBQ Pork Ribs
• Grilled Zucchini Roll-Ups
• Cheeseburger Sliders

Variations and Substitutions

• Make pesto tortellini salad. Toss it with some fresh basil pesto. 
• Make a Greek tortellini salad. Add artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, and black olives.  
• Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. This will add a bit of flavor and texture. 
• Use spinach tortellini. This is a super-simple swap. 
• Replace white wine vinegar with red wine vinegar. Both choices will give you a zingy dressing you’ll love. 

Storage Instructions 

Store any leftover Greek Pasta Salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Tortellini Salad Tips and Tricks

• Use fresh herbs. It will take the salad ingredients to the next level. 
• Prep the ingredients ahead of time. This will speed up the entire process. 
• Always rinse the tortellini in cold water after cooking it. This will stop the cooking process. 

Can You Eat Cold Tortellini? 

This delicious cold salad tastes better after you chill it for at least two hours. Yes, you can eat cold tortellini. Just make sure you cook it first. After it’s fully cooked, you can chill it. A cold pasta salad is so refreshing in the summer months.  

Should I Rinse the Tortellini After Cooking?

Yes, it would be best if you always rinsed the tortellini after you cook it. This stops the cooking process, which prevents it from being overcooked. 

Where is Tortellini Sold?

You’ll find the tortellini in the refrigerated section of the grocery store. 

What is the Secret to a Delicious Italian Dressing?

The secret to an incredible salad dressing is to add mustard. I used Wholegrain mustard, but you could replace it with Dijon mustard.  

Pasta Salad Recipes

Love pasta salad? I have more for you to enjoy.

• Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad – So creamy and tasty with all the flavors you love from a classic Caesar salad.
• Italian Pasta Salad – Packed full of deliciousness, this pasta salad will be a hit at your summer gatherings!
• Pesto Chicken Pasta Salad – Tender white chicken morsels, fresh veggies, black olives all wrapped in a flavourful pesto sauce.
• Creamy Curried Chicken Pasta Salad – Creamy, mildly spicy and absolutely delicious! Serve this summer side at your next backyard BBQ, picnic or potluck.
• Grilled Butter Chicken Pasta Salad – This delicious summer recipe packs a huge flavour punch! It’s creamy and mildly spicy and is a hit at summer BBQs.
• Macaroni Dill Salad – Whip up this easy pasta salad in no time to serve at your summer BBQs! Fresh dill and radishes give it an extra zip of flavor.

You’ll also like this Ramen Noodle Salad, Hawaiian Macaroni Salad, Macaroni Salad, Taco Pasta Salad or Chili Pasta Salad.

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