This cheese tortellini pasta salad is a simple and easy meal that you can throw together in 15 minutes or less. Perfect as a fast side, main dish, or quick lunch, this cold tortellini salad will become a family favorite.
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time5 minutesmins
Chilling time (recommended)1 hourhr
Total Time1 hourhr15 minutesmins
Course: Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cold tortellini salad, pasta salad recipe
1cuproasted asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces{see notes}
1/2cupbell pepper, diced
1/4cupsliced olives
1cupgrape tomatoes, sliced in half
1/2cuppepperoni or salami, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/4cupgrated Parmesan
Instructions
Cook tortellini in salted boiling water according to the instructions on the package (usually 3-7 minutes depending on the brand).
20 oz cheese tortellini
Drain tortellini and rinse with cold water.
In a large mixing bowl, add pesto and salad dressing and whisk until combined.
3/4 cup Italian salad dressing, 2 tbsp pesto
Add all the other ingredients to the bowl, including the cooked/cooled tortellini, and stir gently to combine.
1 cup roasted asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces, 1/2 cup bell pepper, diced, 1/4 cup sliced olives, 1 cup grape tomatoes, sliced in half, 1/2 cup pepperoni or salami, cut into 1/2-inch pieces, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, 20 oz cheese tortellini
Allow salad to sit in the fridge for 1+ hours before serving.
Notes
I roasted my asparagus in the air fryer at 390F for 7 minutes. You can also grill it, roast it in the oven, or sub in your favorite seasonal vegetables.
This recipe serves ~3-4 if you’re using this as a main dish, or ~6-8 if you want it as a side.
A serrated bread or cheese knife makes the cleanest cuts for slicing the small tomatoes in half.
Homemade Italian DressingCombine: 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tsp white or red wine vinegar, 1/2 tsp dried parsley, 1/4 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/8 tsp ground black pepper, 1/2 tsp dried basil, 1/4 tsp dried tarragon, (optional) pinch of red pepper flakes.