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Home » Side Dish » Italian Tortellini Salad

Italian Tortellini Salad

By Valerie · May 25, 2016 · Updated May 27, 2020 12 Comments

SD Side Dish
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This rustic, flavor-packed Italian Tortellini Salad will make a delicious addition to a summer potluck menu.

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Italian Tortellini Salad

I had no idea what I was getting into when I got to work in my kitchen yesterday but making this pasta salad quickly became a lesson in self-control. I’m telling you, it was rough. I cook, I photograph, and I wrap items up and stash them away in my fridge to consume with my family at mealtime. Always. I’m good that way.

But, this salad… I really struggled to keep to my plan.

There’s only so much deliciousness one can resist at 9:30 am when one is alone in one’s kitchen.

Italian Tortellini Salad

The list of ingredients are all delicious on their own but when tossed together with an Italian-seasoned balsamic vinaigrette they mingle, get happy, and come to life in the most fantastic way.

Italian Tortellini Salad

You’ll need a big package of cheese tortellini, a jar of sun dried tomatoes, and a couple ounces of cured Italian deli meat. I highly recommend you pick up some coppa (aka capicola) but prosciutto would be fabulous in this too. You could even go salami or pepperoni. See the printable recipe at the end of the post for the full ingredient list.

Italian Tortellini Salad

The dressing consists of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, and a touch of black pepper. Place the lid on the jar and shake it up. Easy.

Italian Tortellini Salad

Be sure to heed the package directions when cooking your tortellini. It cooks very quickly and will get mushy, quickly, if you let it go too long. Pull it from the heat and immediately rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain it well and transfer it to a large mixing bowl. Coat the cooled tortellini with about half the dressing to prevent it from sticking together.

Italian Tortellini Salad

Add the remaining salad ingredients – sun dried tomatoes, thinly sliced fresh basil, the coppa, and fresh baby spinach.

Italian Tortellini Salad

Give it a toss and add additional dressing if needed. Garnish the salad with some Parmesan and pine nuts.

Check out the quick video below to see it happen!


Italian Tortellini Salad

It’s a gorgeous salad and you won’t believe the flavor. It’s intense, man!

Italian Tortellini Salad


A small white bowl filled with tortellini, spinach, and coppa.

Italian Tortellini Salad

5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 18 minutes
Servings: 6 to 8
Author: Valerie Brunmeier

Ingredients

Pasta Salad:

  • 1 22 ounce package cheese tortellini
  • 1 cup fresh baby spinach
  • 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
  • 2 ounces sliced coppa prosciutto, or other cured Italian deli meat of your choice, chopped
  • 1/3 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons pine nuts

Dressing:

  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • fresh ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Cook tortellini according to package directions, being careful not to overcook. Rinse cooked pasta with cold water and drain well. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
  • While tortellini is cooking, place all dressing ingredients in a container with a tight-fitting lid (like a mason jar) and shake until well combined (and then shake a little more!). Alternately, whisk ingredients together in a small bowl.
  • Drizzle 1/2 of the dressing over the cooked and cooled tortellini and toss to combine to prevent it from sticking together. Add remaining salad ingredients, except Parmesan and pine nuts, and toss. Add as much of the remaining dressing as desired. Garnish with Parmesan and pine nuts and serve.

Make-Ahead Instructions:

  • Follow recipe directions as stated but do not add spinach, basil, Parmesan, and pine nuts. Cover and refrigerate the salad and reserved dressing separately. When ready to serve, add the spinach, basil, and additional dressing, as needed. Garnish as stated.
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Italian Tortellini Salad

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Italian Tortellini Salad

Categories: Rice/Pasta, Salad, Side Dish

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Reader Interactions

Latest Comments
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  1. Kendyl says

    July 23, 2018 at 2:40 pm

    5 stars
    Thanks for the great recipe! I made this for a neighborhood potluck a couple nights ago and it was delicious! Leftovers were great the next day, too. 🙂

    Reply
  2. Sabrina says

    August 19, 2017 at 3:01 pm

    I’m trying this tonight I got everything I need as well with a side of fresh warm bread rolls and some red wine. cant wait to try this yum

    Reply
  3. Cathy Trochelman says

    May 27, 2016 at 1:13 am

    What an absolutely gorgeous DELICIOUS salad!

    Reply
  4. Jessica - The Novice Chef says

    May 26, 2016 at 7:57 pm

    Oooh! My favorite! I always love a tortellini salad!

    Reply
  5. Andi @ The Weary Chef says

    May 26, 2016 at 10:02 am

    Love all the flavors in this salad! Perfect for an easy lunch!

    Reply
  6. Renee - Kudos Kitchen says

    May 26, 2016 at 6:18 am

    I’d have a hard time resisting this salad too. It looks amazing. I wonder if it would be good served cold too? I’ll bet it would. Have you tried it that way?

    Reply
    • Valerie says

      May 26, 2016 at 5:07 pm

      Yes, it’s meant to be a cold pasta salad. The tortellini should be rinsed with cold water after cooking. The chilled leftovers are fantastic too! Thanks, Renee 🙂

      Reply
  7. Florentina says

    May 25, 2016 at 2:02 pm

    Tortellini is my favorite pasta for a pasta salad. I don’t even make it with other shapes anymore. I love the sun dried tomato touch in this one. Delicious !

    Reply
  8. Bintu | Recipes from a Pantry says

    May 25, 2016 at 12:52 pm

    We always have some tortellini in the freezer and this salad pays perfect homage to my current obsession with prosciutto!

    Reply
    • Valerie says

      May 25, 2016 at 6:08 pm

      It would be perfect with prosciutto! Thanks, Bintu 🙂

      Reply
  9. SunnyDaysNora says

    May 25, 2016 at 12:00 pm

    I LOVE tortellini salads and this one looks fabulous!

    Reply
  10. Beth says

    May 25, 2016 at 11:57 am

    I am all for 9:30am first lunch! And just think it’s way healthier to eat this salad then to eat a bagel or donut!

    Reply

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