Tortellini Pasta Salad (Vegetarian)

Tortellini pasta salad is perfect for spring and summer, and it makes a great side dish or easy vegetarian meal.

We have definitely been enjoying the warmer spring temperature here in Alabama! We have a long warm season here. “Summer” really runs from about May until October, with some nice milder days around it.

That kind of weather has me longing for simple and flavorful dishes like this – tortellini pasta salad.

This recipe is my mom’s brainchild. She took an Ina Garten recipe, and used her method for making the dressing. And then she changed up the type of pasta to tortellini (genius!), plus added some different veggies.

I have been hearing the raves on this tortellini pasta salad since last summer from my dad and my sister, who eat my mom’s version on the regular.

I am only just now getting around to making it myself. After tasting it, I knew I had to share it here. It is SO absolutely delicious!😋🙌🏻

I planned this more as a side dish to go alongside some grilled chicken or grilled salmon. But! I ended up having it as an easy make-ahead lunch. And it was fabulous! Very filling and satisfying.

I hope y’all enjoy it as much as we have! Let me know if you try it.

Tools Used to Make Tortellini Pasta Salad

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• Measuring spoons
• Dry ingredient measuring cups
• Measuring cup
• Knife and cutting board
• Large mixing bowl
• Medium sized pot for cooking the tortellini
• Strainer for draining the tortellini

Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe

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5 from 1 vote

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Tortellini Pasta Salad

Tortellini pasta salad is great for spring and summer, and it makes a great side dish or easy vegetarian meal. Garlic, tomatoes, artichokes, kalamata olives, basil, olive oil.

Course Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine Italian

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 4 minutes

Resting Time 2 hours

Total Time 14 minutes

Servings 6

Calories 338 kcal

Author Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy

Ingredients

• 2 pints grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3/4 teaspoon salt (olives and cheese make it salty, but test to see if you want to add more)
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves, plus extra for serving (fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley works well as a substitute)
• 10 ounce pack of cheese tortellini cooked to package instructions - I used Trader Joe's
• 1 12 ounce jar marinated, quartered artichoke hearts, drained
• 1 jar pitted kalamata olives, drained
• grated parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions

For the dressing (make ahead)

1. Add the halved tomatoes, olive oil, minced garlic, chopped basil, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to a bowl; stir and let sit covered at room temperature for 2 to 4 hours.

To assemble the pasta salad

1. Add the cooked tortellini, drained artichokes, drained olives to the dressing mixture, and stir to combine.

2. Serve immediately at room temperature with parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.

3. For leftovers, be sure and remove from the refrigerator 15 minutes or so prior to eating to let the oil melt back to liquid form.

Recipe Notes

Nutrition information is approximate and was calculated using a recipe nutrition label generator.

Nutrition Facts

Tortellini Pasta Salad

Amount Per Serving

Calories 338 Calories from Fat 198

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 22g 34%

Saturated Fat 3g 15%

Cholesterol 17mg 6%

Sodium 516mg 22%

Potassium 385mg 11%

Total Carbohydrates 27g 9%

Dietary Fiber 3g 12%

Sugars 5g

Protein 8g 16%

Vitamin A 28.9%

Vitamin C 27.2%

Calcium 8.9%

Iron 10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.