I love a good pasta salad, don’t you? I’m going to show you my absolute favorite tortellini pasta salad—one that’s easy to make and tastes great! This dish is perfect for potlucks or BBQs because it can be made ahead of time. You can even prepare the tortellini in advance, then assemble it when ready to serve.
One of the most anticipated parts of summer is grilling season! And what goes better with a great grilled dinner than a pasta salad?
Here are all the ingredients you’ll need:
Ingredients for Tortellini Pasta Salad
• 2 20oz Packages Tortellini
• 8oz Fresh Mozzarella Sliced
• 7oz Pepperoni Stick Sliced
• 16oz Italian Dressing
• Basil
How to Make Tortellini Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
1. Cook the tortellini as instructed on the package.
2. Place in large mixing bowl and add sliced fresh mozzarella & pepperoni.
3. Pour in Italian dressing.
4. Mix well.
5. Serve with basil and enjoy!
The key to getting the perfect pasta salad that everyone will love is in making sure it’s well-dressed. The dressing should provide a nice balance of flavors and creaminess with a touch of tang. I almost always go with Italian dressing since that’s my favorite, but I’ve had some yummy pasta salads with other vinaigrettes or even ranch dressing.
Veggies to Add to Pasta Salad
Pasta salads are generally great vehicles for vegetables if you want to get some color and nutrients into your diet. A good guideline is to include one or two protein sources and then fill up any remaining space with the vegetable of your choice. Here are some recommendations:
- Broccoli
- Bell peppers
- Spinach
- Corn
- Tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Onions (green or red)
- Carrots
- Olives
Meats to Add to Pasta Salad
Want some variety with the meats you add to your pasta salad? Here are a few favorites:
Pepperoni – This has a little spicy kick to it, so it can be an excellent flavor combination with acidic or cream-based dressings.
Grilled chicken – This has a mild flavor that goes well in just about any pasta salad.
Ham – This salty protein is a nice contrast to the carbs and veggies.
Bacon – A great salty, smoky ingredient that gives the pasta salad a nice little crunch when added right before serving.
Easiest Tortellini Pasta Salad Ever
This is the easiest tortellini pasta salad ever! It's the perfect easy dish to take to potlucks, family reunions, and backyard barbecues. It goes great alongside almost any meat dish!
Ingredients
- 2 20oz Packages Tortellini
- 8oz Fresh Mozzarella Sliced
- 7oz Pepperoni Stick Sliced
- 16oz Italian Dressing
- Basil
Instructions
- Cook Tortellini as instructed on package.
- Place in large mixing bowl and add sliced fresh mozzarella & pepperoni.
- Pour in Italian dressing.
- Mix well.
- Serve with basil and enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 510Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 68mgSodium: 1117mgCarbohydrates: 50gFiber: 2gSugar: 5gProtein: 19g
Nutritional information varies on the brand of products you use as well as how carefully you follow the recipe. This nutritional data should only serve as a guideline; calculate using your own tools and products for greater accuracy.
What Can I Serve with Tortellini Pasta Salad?
Pasta salad is a staple at any cookout. It’s easy to make and can be paired with many different dishes, but what are the best foods to enjoy it with? Here are a few of my faves:
- Burgers
- Grilled Chicken
- Hot dogs
- Sandwiches
- Steaks
- Pulled Pork Sliders
- Turkey wraps
- Sausages
- Steak skewers
- Barbecue Meatballs
- Pizza
- Cocktail weiners
This tortellini pasta salad is a super simple dish that everyone will love. It’s the perfect dish to take along to a picnic or cookout with the family, and it can be customized easily by adding your favorite meats, vegetables, cheeses, and herbs. We hope you’ll give this recipe for Tortellini Pasta Salad a try soon! If you want more recipes like this one then don’t forget to subscribe so we can send them straight to your inbox. Happy cooking!
