Pioneer Woman Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe

This Pioneer Woman Tortellini Pasta Salad is a hearty and loaded recipe, which is made with cheese tortellini and sliced salami. It’s the perfect potluck side dish, ready in about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Pioneer Woman Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe Ingredients

• 20 oz. refrigerated or frozen cheese tortellini
• 2/3 cup plus 2 tbsp. olive oil, divided
• 1/3 cup white wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup sundried tomatoes in oil, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
• 1 Tbsp. honey
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 8 oz. fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 cup sliced salami
• 1 cup sliced black olives
• 1 cup thinly sliced zucchini
• 1 cup thinly sliced yellow or green bell pepper
• 1/2 cup sliced pepperoncini peppers
• 1/4 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

How To Make Pioneer Woman Tortellini Pasta Salad

1. Cook and cool the tortellini: Cook the tortellini according to the package directions. Drain the pasta, then rinse it with cold water to cool it down completely. Return the cooled pasta to the pot and toss with two tablespoons of olive oil to prevent sticking.
2. Whisk the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the remaining 2/3 cup of olive oil, white wine vinegar, sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, honey, salt, and pepper until the dressing is well combined.
3. Combine and chill: Add the cooked tortellini, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, salami, olives, zucchini, bell pepper, pepperoncini, and red onion to the bowl with the dressing. Toss everything gently to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour.
4. Add basil and serve: Just before serving, add the fresh basil to the salad and stir gently to combine all the ingredients one last time. Garnish with more Parmesan cheese, if you like.

Recipe Tips

• How to keep tortellini from getting mushy? Be careful not to overcook the tortellini; it should be just tender. Rinsing it with cold water immediately after cooking stops the cooking process and helps it maintain a firm texture.
• Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time? Yes, this salad is perfect for making ahead. The recipe notes you can refrigerate it for up to 3 days. For the best, freshest flavor, wait to add the basil until just before you serve it.
• What other vegetables can I add? The recipe is highly customizable. As the note suggests, yellow summer squash, spinach, or green olives would be great. Marinated artichoke hearts or roasted red peppers would also be delicious additions.
• How do I prevent the pasta from sticking together? The step of tossing the cooled tortellini with two tablespoons of olive oil is key. This light coating prevents the pasta from clumping as it sits.

What To Serve With Tortellini Pasta Salad

This loaded pasta salad is hearty enough to be a main course, but it also works beautifully as a side dish.

• Grilled Chicken Breasts or Italian Sausages
• Crusty Garlic Bread
• A simple green salad with a light lemon vinaigrette
• A platter of fresh fruit

How To Store Tortellini Pasta Salad

• Refrigerate: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The salad will keep for up to 3 days. The flavors often taste even better the next day as they have more time to meld.

Pioneer Woman Tortellini Pasta Salad Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 650 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Protein: 22g
• Fat: 42g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Sodium: 950mg
• Sugar: 9g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Raspberry Pretzel Jello Salad Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Instant Pot Potato Salad Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Heirloom Tomato Salad Recipe