20 Minute Tortellini Salad. Tortellini mixed with sun dried tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and red onions and seasoned with red wine and balsamic vinegar and served cold.
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Who doesn’t like a cold tortellini salad at a family BBQ? Ok, well maybe pasta salad isn’t for everyone, but this salad will surely be a favorite for pasta salad lovers. The flavor profile of this salad is fantastic: tangy, sweet, and savory. The red onions offer a nice bite, and the roasted red peppers help to balance the stronger flavors. The vinegar is just wonderful and adds that great tangy flavor.
My favorite parts of this recipe are the sun dried tomatoes and Kalamata olives. The unique flavor of each of these ingredients takes this recipe up a notch in my opinion. Granted, sun dried tomatoes and Kalamata olives are not for everyone, but if you give this recipe a try, I am hoping you will be pleasantly surprised with the balance of flavors.
If you know for sure that sun dried tomatoes and Kalamata olives are no way, in any shape or form, making it into this dish, then I encourage you to use cherry tomatoes, plum tomatoes, or roasted red peppers, and black or green olives. The same goes for the red onions. Although I consider them a must for this recipe, if red onions are a turn off, try sweet onions, leeks, or onion powder instead. I really think the “onion” flavor is an important component of this dish, so try to work it in your version of this tortellini salad in some form or another.
As for heat and spice. I kept this recipe mild, but you can surely play with the heat profile and add whatever you like. Whichever ingredient you decide to use for this, I would just caution not to add too much. You can easily overpower the intended flavor of this tortellini salad with too much spice!
Have fun making this dish. I really enjoy it because the recipe is super easy and quick. But do remember to follow the tips I have in the recipe. Make sure to cool the tortellini before adding the other ingredients and for the best tasting flavor, let the finished tortellini salad sit in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving.
NOTE
Before beginning the recipe remember to read the “Invent Your Recipe” section below for additional suggestions, recipe combinations, or ingredient alternatives.
How to Make Tortellini Salad
Preparing the Tortellini:
- Prepare the tortellini according to the package instructions. When the tortellini are done set aside for 10 minutes to cool.
Preparing the Salad:
- Once tortellini have cooled, in a large mixing bowl combine remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly to incorporate.
How To Serve Tortellini Salad:
- Place the tortellini salad in a large serving bowl. For best results place the salad into the refrigerator for a least 4 hours before serving.
More Pasta Recipes To Try
Spaghetti with Spinach and Tomatoes
Spaghetti with Spinach and Tomatoes. Roasted tomatoes sautéed with garlic and onions and then cooked with spaghetti.
Swiss Chard with Beans and Tomatoes
Swiss Chard with Beans and Tomatoes. Swiss chard sautéed in extra virgin olive oil with garlic, beans, tomatoes and served over whole wheat pasta.
Pasta with Artichokes and Peppers
Pasta with Artichokes and Peppers. Artichokes and peppers sautéed with garlic, onions, and tomatoes and mixed with penne pasta.
Tortellini Pasta Salad
Tortellini Pasta Salad – Greek Inspired. Tortellini mixed with balsamic vinegar, oil, feta cheese, tomatoes, olives, and cucumbers.
Pasta with Escarole and Beans
Pasta with Escarole and Beans Recipe. Escarole sautéed in garlic and oil and combined with cannellini beans, pasta, and grated cheese.
Pasta Primavera Recipe
Simple and Tasty Pasta Primavera Recipe made with Farfalle. Chop up some vegetables, sprinkle on some olive oil, roast away, and combine with pasta.
The Recipe
Tortellini Salad
Ingredients
- 1 19 oz. package tortellini
- ½ red onion sliced thin
- 4 oz. sun dried tomatoes sliced
- 4 oz. Kalamata olives sliced
- 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
- ½ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. black pepper
- ¼ tsp. garlic powder
Instructions
Preparing the Tortellini:
- Prepare the tortellini according to the package instructions. When the tortellini are done set aside for 10 minutes to cool.
Preparing the Salad:
- Once tortellini have cooled, in a large mixing bowl combine remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly to incorporate.
To Serve:
- Place tortellini salad in a large serving bowl. For best results place the salad into the refrigerator for a least 4 hours before serving.
Invent Your Recipe
Nutrition
Invent Your Recipe:
This vegetarian tortellini salad recipe is quick and simple to prepare. The choice of seasoning and ingredients is basically endless. I have made this recipe with the addition of cheese, including asiago, sharp provolone, and mozzarella. I have also added meat before, including pepperoni, sweet dried sausage, or soppresatta. I can tell you that whichever cheese or meat you choose, the dish will taste great.
For the other ingredients I have used roasted peppers, grape tomatoes, artichokes, black olives, broccoli, carrots, and bell pepper. If you like a vegetable, try it in this cold appetizer salad.
For the dressing, extra virgin olive oil with red wine and balsamic vinegar really complements the ingredients in this version of the recipe. However, I have used store bought balsamic vinaigrette and Italian dressing before and the salad has tasted great.
