Tortellini Pasta Salad (Vegetarian) - A Pinch of Healthy

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

We have a long warm season here in Alabama. “Summer” really runs from about May until October, with some nice milder days around it.

That kind of weather has me longing for simple, refreshing 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.

How to make this vegan/ dairy free

Making this tortellini pasta salad recipe vegan/ dairy free is super simple! It just takes two simple substitutions.

First, just use a vegan cheese tortellini, such as Kite Hill or any brand of vegan tortellini you prefer.

Second, you can skip the parmesan garnish at the end, and I promise, it still tastes amazing. Or! You can sprinkle on some nutritional yeast if you like. 

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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Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe

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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.

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 (7 ounces)
• 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*

Fat 22g34%

Saturated Fat 3g19%

Cholesterol 17mg6%

Sodium 516mg22%

Potassium 385mg11%

Carbohydrates 27g9%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 5g6%

Protein 8g16%

Vitamin A 1445IU29%

Vitamin C 22.4mg27%

Calcium 89mg9%

Iron 1.8mg10%

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

Note: This recipe originally appeared on A Pinch of healthy March 22, 2018.

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