Description
Cool summer tortellini salad brings Mediterranean charm to your table, blending cheese-filled pasta with fresh herbs and zesty dressing. Crisp vegetables and tangy notes create a refreshing meal perfect for warm afternoons when you crave something light and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 500 grams (1 pound) cheese tortellini, fresh or refrigerated
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini) or cubed mozzarella
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 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 fresh basil, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Dressing and Seasoning:
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Fill a generously sized cooking vessel with water, seasoning it with a pinch of salt until it reaches a rolling boil.
- Carefully immerse the tortellini into the bubbling water, allowing them to gently cook until they achieve a perfectly tender yet slightly firm texture.
- Once cooked, swiftly transfer the tortellini into a colander, rinsing thoroughly with chilled water to immediately halt the cooking process and prevent further softening.
- Spread the tortellini on a clean surface, permitting them to cool completely and reach room temperature while preparing the remaining ingredients.
Notes
- Chill tortellini quickly by spreading them on a baking sheet to prevent overcooking and retain their perfect texture.
- Opt for fresh or refrigerated tortellini for the most vibrant flavor and best overall taste in this summer salad.
- Salt the pasta water generously to enhance the tortellini’s natural flavor before cooking, ensuring each bite is well-seasoned.
- Rinse tortellini thoroughly with cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent them from becoming mushy or sticky.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg