Breezy Summer Tortellini Salad Recipe: Fresh & Sunny Flavors

Summer screams for fresh, zesty meals that summer tortellini salad effortlessly delivers.

Crisp vegetables and tender pasta create a colorful canvas of flavor.

Each bite bursts with Mediterranean-inspired ingredients that dance across your palate.

Bright herbs and tangy dressing weave through cheese-filled tortellini, creating a refreshing experience.

The combination feels light yet satisfying, perfect for lazy afternoons or quick weeknight dinners.

Packed with vibrant ingredients, this salad transforms simple components into something extraordinary.

Prepare to fall in love with a dish that celebrates seasonal freshness and delightful textures.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Need For Summer Tortellini Salad

• Tortellini: Delightful cheese-filled pasta that forms the hearty core of this refreshing summer salad, choose fresh or vacuum-sealed varieties for optimal texture and flavor.

• Cherry Tomatoes: Bursting with sweet summer essence, select ripe, vibrant red tomatoes that are firm and glossy.
• Cucumber: Crisp and hydrating vegetable that adds a cool, light element to balance the pasta's richness.
• Red Onion: Sharp and zingy ingredient that provides a bold flavor contrast, opt for smaller, sweeter varieties.
• Fresh Basil: Aromatic herb that introduces a bright, herbal note, choose leaves that are deep green and fragrant.

• Olive Oil: Smooth, fruity base that helps blend flavors and coat ingredients evenly, select extra virgin for best quality.
• Balsamic Vinegar: Tangy liquid that adds depth and subtle sweetness, look for aged varieties with rich, complex flavor.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that enhances all other ingredients, use sea salt or kosher salt for pure, clean taste.
• Black Pepper: Provides subtle heat and warmth, freshly ground offers more intense flavor than pre-ground.

Tools Used For Summer Tortellini Salad

• Large pot: Essential for boiling tortellini with enough water and salt.
• Colander: Perfect for draining pasta and rinsing with cold water.
• Wooden spoon or pasta strainer: Helpful for stirring and checking pasta doneness.
• Cutting board: Optional for any additional chopping needed.
• Sharp knife: Useful if you want to slice any extra ingredients.

How To Toss Together Summer Tortellini Salad

• Boil Water and Cook Pasta

Fill a large pot with water, add a pinch of salt, and bring to a rolling boil. Gently drop the tortellini into the bubbling water and cook until they’re perfectly tender but still have a slight bite.

• Cool Down the Pasta

Quickly drain the tortellini and immediately rinse with cold water to halt the cooking process. Let the pasta cool completely, allowing it to reach room temperature.

• Prep Veggie Companions

Chop fresh cherry tomatoes into bite-sized pieces, slice crisp cucumber, and tear fragrant basil leaves. These colorful ingredients will add zest and freshness to your salad.

• Create Zesty Dressing

Whisk together olive oil, tangy balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. This vibrant dressing will tie all the flavors together beautifully.

• Combine and Toss

In a large bowl, gently mix the cooled tortellini with the chopped vegetables. Pour the dressing over the top and softly toss everything together, ensuring each pasta pillow gets coated in the delicious mixture.

• Chill and Serve

Refrigerate the salad for about 30 minutes to let the flavors mingle and intensify. When ready, garnish with extra basil leaves and serve chilled for a refreshing summer meal.

Tips For A Better Summer Tortellini Salad

• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the tortellini salad up to a day in advance, storing the dressing separately to keep ingredients crisp and prevent soggy pasta.
• Protein Power Boost: Toss in grilled chicken, shredded rotisserie chicken, or canned tuna for an extra protein punch that makes this salad a complete meal.
• Veggie Flexibility: Swap or add seasonal vegetables like roasted zucchini, grilled bell peppers, or fresh corn kernels to match summer's harvest and add more nutrition.
• Dairy-Free Twist: Replace mozzarella with dairy-free cheese alternatives or omit entirely for a vegan-friendly version that still delivers incredible flavor and texture.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free tortellini or replace with gluten-free pasta to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising the salad's delightful taste.

Serving Summer Tortellini Salad Chilled And Fresh

• Chilled Picnic Perfection: Pack this vibrant tortellini salad in a portable container for outdoor summer gatherings, ensuring a refreshing and easy-to-transport meal.
• Mediterranean Mezze Spread: Serve alongside grilled vegetables, hummus, and pita bread to create a complete Mediterranean-inspired dining experience that showcases the salad's versatile flavors.
• Wine and Dine Pairing: Complement the salad with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or a light rosé, which will enhance the dish's fresh and zesty profile while providing a delightful summer dining moment.
• Protein Power-Up: Upgrade the salad by adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or seared tofu for extra protein, transforming it from a simple side dish into a satisfying main course that keeps you energized.

How To Store Summer Tortellini Salad

• Quick Chill Method: Spread cooled tortellini on a baking sheet for faster temperature drop, preventing soggy texture and maintaining ideal pasta firmness.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Store salad in an airtight container up to 3 days, keeping fresh vegetables crisp and pasta tender by placing a paper towel inside to absorb excess moisture.
• Ingredient Separation Tip: Keep dressing separate from salad until serving to prevent ingredients from becoming soggy, allowing guests to mix just before enjoying maximum flavor and texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare tortellini and chop vegetables a day in advance, storing them separately in sealed containers to streamline meal preparation and reduce day-of cooking stress.

Vibrant Summer Tortellini Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Zesty summer tortellini salad celebrates fresh ingredients with a Mediterranean twist. Cheese-filled pasta, crisp vegetables, and tangy herbs create a light, refreshing meal perfect for warm days.

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Ingredients

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• 500 g (1 lb) cheese tortellini, fresh or refrigerated
• 1 cup fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini) or cubed mozzarella
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup cucumber, diced
• 1 cup bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange), diced
• ½ cup black olives, sliced
• ½ cup red onion, thinly sliced
• ¼ cup basil, fresh, chopped
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 tbsps red wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Boiling Preparation: Bring a large pot of salted water to a vigorous boil, creating an ideal cooking environment for the tortellini.
2. Cooking Process: Gently lower the tortellini into the roiling water, allowing them to simmer until they float to the surface and reach an al dente consistency, typically 3-4 minutes.
3. Cooling Technique: Drain the tortellini in a colander, immediately shocking them with cold water to arrest the cooking process and preserve their delicate texture, then spread them out on a clean surface to cool completely.

Notes

• Prevent Overcooking: Watch tortellini closely during boiling to maintain al dente texture, typically 2-3 minutes less than package instructions to keep pasta firm and prevent mushiness.
• Master Cold Water Technique: Use ice-cold water when rinsing to quickly stop cooking process, ensuring tortellini retain their shape and prevent becoming soggy or sticky.
• Temperature Management: Allow tortellini to reach room temperature naturally for optimal salad texture, spreading them in a single layer helps cool evenly and prevents clumping.
• Salt Water Wisely: Use enough salt in boiling water to enhance pasta flavor, but avoid oversalting which can make tortellini taste bland or overly seasoned.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg