Treat yourself to this delicious Greek Tortellini Salad ... it's packed with veggies (and loads of flavor) and makes the perfect main course or side dish for all your summer parties!
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Summer is just around the corner, and although I could definitely do without the 100 degrees temps (not my fave thing about Dallas), I am here for all the delicious seasonal foods
Like pasta salad ... is it really a party if it isn't on the menu? Not according to my friends and family!
And when it comes to pasta, I've always loved tortellini. Each bite is cheesy and delicious, plus it's just so much more fun than your average spaghetti, know what I mean?
If you're a fan too, up your pasta salad game this summer with this amazing Greek Tortellini Salad. This easy recipe is a fun twist on the party classic, and it's guaranteed to be a hit with you and everyone else who tries it!
Greek Tortellini Salad
If you love the bold, sunny flavors found in the classic Greek Salad, then this is the pasta salad is for you!
This scrumptious recipe pairs yummy cheese tortellini with fresh, crunchy veggies, briny Kalamata olives, tangy feta cheese, and a dressing that tastes like pure sunshine. It's perfect for spring, summer, or anytime you need a little pick-me-up.
On hot summer days, you'll love that this easy Tortellini Salad recipe is ready fast and doesn't require a lot of cooking time. It makes a wonderful main course, but it's also the perfect side dish for summer parties and barbecues.
Are you ready to give it a try? Then, keep reading for all the delicious details!
Tortellini Salad Ingredients
This pasta salad uses simple, fresh ingredients! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Tortellini
- Tomatoes
- Red Onion
- Bell Peppers
- Cucumber
- Feta Cheese
- Kalamata Olives
- Fresh Parsley
Pasta Tips: You can experiment with tortellini flavors for this recipe, but I think cheese pairs best with the other ingredients. I used this Buitoni Tortellini (which is easy to find in almost any grocery store), and it was delicious.
If you have access to freshly-made pasta from an Italian grocer or specialty store, then use that.
Greek Pasta Salad Dressing
Although it's possible to use bottled dressing for this tortellini pasta salad, I prefer to make my own. You only need a couple minutes, and it's as simple as whisking everything together.
This vinaigrette is very similar to the one I created for my Greek Pasta Salad recipe, but I used a little less olive oil and I added fresh lemon zest. I love how it turned out ... so fresh and bright! You'll need:
-
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Fresh Lemon Juice
- Fresh Lemon Zest
- Red Wine Vinegar
- Fresh Garlic
- Dried Oregano
- Sugar
- Salt and Pepper (I recommend using kosher salt.)
How to Make Tortellini Salad
Let's make this salad!
To get started, cook the tortellini in a large pot of boiling, salted water. Aim for al dente. Stuffed pasta is fairly tender, and if you overcook it, then it may fall apart as you mix your salad together.
Once the tortellini is finished cooking, drain it, then rinse it well with cold water. Rinsing the pasta stops it from continuing to cook. Plus, it removes the starch from the tortellini, which will keep it from sticking together.
After you've rinsed the pasta, let it drain really well. You don’t want excess water to dilute the dressing.
Making the Dressing
This simple Greek Salad Dressing is so quick and easy to make, yet full of bold flavors!
All you need to do is combine the dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Then, whisk everything together.
The combination of fresh lemon juice and zest really makes the flavors pop! Just make sure to zest the lemon before you juice it.
Tip: A microplane is my go-to tool for zesting citrus (and grating ginger, hard cheese, etc.). Hold the microplane upside down over the lemon while zesting, and it will “catch” the zest.
Prepping the Veggies
Set the dressing aside, then start working on the vegetables.
While chopping and slicing your vegges, keep in mind that you want everything to be a uniform size. This makes the salad prettier to look at and easier to eat.
To take the bite away from the red onion, rinse it under cold water after chopping it. That way, it won't overpower your Tortellini Salad.
Get the feta ready, too. I prefer to start with a block of feta, rather than pre-crumbled feta. Chop it into little cubes (my preference) or crumble it.
Finishing the Salad
To finish the salad, combine the tortellini, veggies, olives, and feta in a large bowl. Drizzle the Greek dressing over the top, then mix gently. I like to use two woods spoons for this, and mix from the bottom of the bowl.
And that's it ... you're beautiful, delicious Greek Tortellini Salad is ready to eat! Wasn't that easy?
This pasta salad makes a great main dish, or you can serve it in smaller portions as a side dish ... perfect for dinner and all those summer BBQs.
Either way, it's sure to be loved by everyone who tries it!
Greek Tortellini Salad
Ingredients
- 1 (20-ounce) package cheese tortellini
For Dressing:
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 large clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- salt
- pepper
Other Ingredients:
- 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved or quartered (depending on size)
- ½ red onion, chopped and rinsed under cold water
- 1 English cucumber, quartered and sliced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 8 ounces feta cheese, diced (or crumbled)
- ½ cup halved kalamata olives
- ¼ cup chopped Italian parsley
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add tortellini and cook until al dente.
- Drain tortellini, then rinse well with cold water.
- While pasta is cooking, whisk dressing ingredients (olive oil through sugar) in a small bowl. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste.
- Place tortellini, tomatoes, onion, cucumber, bell pepper, feta, olives, and parsley in a large bowl. Drizzle with dressing, then mix gently to combine.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to eat. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Loved this Tortellini Pasta Salad?
If you like this yummy Tortellini Pasta Salad, then make sure to try these recipes, too:
- Grilled Halloumi Salad
- Italian Pasta Salad
- Cold Asian Noodle Salad
- Greek Pasta Salad
- Kale Pasta Salad
- Greek Quinoa Salad
- Greek Coleslaw with Lemon and Feta
- Layered Greek Hummus Dip
- Greek Veggie Burgers with Cucumber Feta Sauce
And if you're as obsessed with tortellini as I am, you'll love my Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup and my Creamy Spinach Artichoke Soup with Tortellini, too!
What is your favorite summer recipe?