Tortellini Pasta Salad

Tortellini Pasta Salad

This easy Tortellini Pasta Salad recipe features tri-colored tortellini, marinated artichoke hearts, red onion, red bell pepper and black olives, tossed in a seasoned oil and vinegar pesto dressing and garnished with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Quick, easy and perfect for large groups and vegetarians!

Whether you’re feeding four or four-hundred, this Italian pasta salad is the perfect dish to serve. It takes about 15 minutes to prepare and is light, colorful and even better the next day! Serve cold or at room temperature with a stunning cheeseboard or with your favorite barbecue ribs!

What Ingredients Do I Need for Tortellini Pasta Salad?

The ingredients are simple, but feel free to add additional items:

• 1 lb. packaged tortellini (any flavor, color or filling)
• 1 small jar of marinated artichoke hearts
• 1/3 cup diced red bell peppers
• 1/3 cup chopped black olives
• 2 tablespoons dried Italian seasonings
• 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons prepared pesto sauce
• Parmesan cheese and parsley for garnish

How Do I Make the Salad?

Tortellini pasta salad is ready in less than 15 minutes! Serve it immediately or make it in advance! It actually tastes best when it has marinated in the refrigerator about 30 minutes.

1. Bring large stockpot of water to boil
2. Add fresh or frozen tortellini; cook for three minutes; drain (want to make your own tortellini?)
3. Rinse tortellini with cold water
4. In a large bowl, add remaining ingredients
5. Combine well; add salt and pepper to taste
6. Garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley

How Much Pasta Should I Make for a Large Group?

If you’re serving tortellini pasta salad as an entree, allow about 1/2 pound of cooked pasta (8 oz. or 1 cup) per person. However, if the dish is a side dish, allow 1/4 pound (4 oz. or 1/2 cup) per person. If you want to make the pasta dish go even further, add in some spinach or romaine lettuce.

Print Recipe

Tortellini Pasta Salad

Light, flavorful and filling this Tortellini Pasta Salad has marinated artichoke hearts, black olives, red onion, red bell pepper tossed in a pesto vinaigrette.

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time3 mins

Total Time8 mins

Course: Appetizer, Entree, Side Dish

Cuisine: Italian

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 100kcal

Author: SmartyPantsKitchen

Ingredients

• 1 lb tortellini fresh or frozen; any flavor
• 1 6 oz jar of marinated artichoke hearts do not drain
• 2 tablespoons prepared pesto
• 1/3 cup black olives sliced
• 1/3 cup red bell pepper diced
• 1/3 cup red onion finely sliced
• 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
• Parmesan cheese; fresh parsley garnish
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Chop peppers, onions and olives; shred Parmesan cheese; cut parsley; set aside
• Bring a large stockpot of water to boil; add tortellini; cook for 3 minutes; drain
• Rinse cooked tortellini under running water; set aside
• In a large mixing bowl, add cooked tortellini, the jar of artichoke hearts and their liquid; add remaining ingredients (red peppers, red onions, black olives, Italian seasonings,pesto and white balsamic vinegar); combine well
• Garnish with Parmesan cheese and parsley

Notes

What Ingredients Do I Need for Tortellini Pasta Salad?

The ingredients are simple, but feel free to add additional items:

• 1 lb. packaged tortellini (any flavor, color or filling)
• 1 small jar of marinated artichoke hearts
• 1/3 cup diced red bell peppers
• 1/3 cup chopped black olives
• 2 tablespoons dried Italian seasonings
• 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons prepared pesto sauce
• Parmesan cheese and parsley for garnish

How Do I Make the Salad?

Tortellini pasta salad is ready in less than 15 minutes! Serve it immediately or make it in advance! It actually tastes best when it has marinated in the refrigerator about 30 minutes.

1. Bring large stockpot of water to boil
2. Add fresh or frozen tortellini; cook for three minutes; drain (want to make your own tortellini?)
3. Rinse tortellini with cold water
4. In a large bowl, add remaining ingredients 
5. Combine well; add salt and pepper to taste
6. Garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley

How Much Pasta Should I Make for a Large Group?

If you're serving tortellini pasta salad as an entree, allow about 1/2 pound of cooked pasta (8 oz. or 1 cup) per person. However, if the dish is a side dish, allow 1/4 pound (4 oz. or 1/2 cup) per person. If you want to make the pasta dish go even further, add in some spinach or romaine lettuce.

The beauty of this salad is “anything goes”-you can add shredded carrots, hearts of palm, asparagus, cauliflower or just about anything you want! Be sure to sign up for more recipes and foodie stuff!

Got Comments or Questions? I’d love to hear from you!