TORTELLINI SALAD WITH HOMEMADE ITALIAN DRESSING

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TORTELLINI SALAD with Homemade Italian Dressing image

This is one terrific pasta salad! It consists of cheese filled tortellini, cherry tomatoes, pepperoni, kalamata olives, a little sweet bell pepper and basil, tossed in my super flavorful, tangy, homemade asiago Italian dressing. It's a party in your mouth! This recipe converts, easily, to vegetarian by omitting the pepperoni....

Provided by Tere Gill

Categories     Pasta Salads

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 28

ITALIAN DRESSING:
1/2 c olive oil, extra virgin
1/4 c white wine vinegar
2 tsp granulated sugar
1 tsp honey
1 tsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp coarse ground mustard
2 Tbsp finely grated asiago cheese
1 Tbsp finely grated parmesan cheese
3/4 tsp garlic salt
3/4 tsp dry parsley flakes
3/4 tsp dry basil flakes
1/8 tsp dry oregano
1 pinch red pepper flakes
1 pinch freshly ground black pepper
1 small pinch paprika
1 small pinch onion powder
1 pinch fine pink himalayan salt or sea salt
**1 - 2 Tbsp water **only if using dressing on a lettuce salad
SALAD:
12 - 15 cherry tomatoes, quartered (i use red and yellow)
3 - 4 slice sweet bell pepper, chopped small (orange, red or yellow)
12 kalamata olives, sliced in thirds
12 - 15 slice pepperoni, quartered or cut in 1/6
3 large fresh basil leaves, chiffonade or chopped
3 - 4 Tbsp prepared italian dressing
6 oz dried 3 cheese tortellini (or your favorite tortellini, amount for 2 - 3 people; i use barilla.)
1/2 Tbsp fresh chives

Steps:

  • 1. (* Important: It's best to make dressing at least one day ahead of time and store in refrigerator; remove from refrigerator, at least 1/2 hour before using, to allow solidified olive oil to liquify; shake well. )
  • 2. Add all dressing ingredients to a pint jar with a tight fitting lid and shake well, or whisk together in a medium bowl; cover and refrigerate. Shake or mix well right before using.
  • 3. To a large bowl, add tomatoes, bell peppers, olives, pepperoni and half of the fresh basil. Set aside, temporarily.
  • 4. Cook tortellini according to package instructions; drain and rinse with cold water to cool (to avoid breakage, do NOT over-handle the tortellini.)
  • 5. Add 3 tablespoons Italian dressing to the tomato bowl; mix together well.
  • 6. Add well drained tortellini to tomato mixture; fold gently to combine and coat with dressing (add extra dressing, if desired.)
  • 7. Plate the salad, or pour into serving dish; scatter extra basil and chives over all. Serve, or cover and refrigerate until served.

OMAR MHAMAD
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This salad is so refreshing and flavorful. I love the combination of tortellini, vegetables, and dressing.


Elizabeth Mazzacone
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I made this salad for a party and it was a huge hit! Everyone loved it.


Godwin Ali
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This salad is a great way to get your kids to eat their vegetables. My kids love the tortellini and the dressing.


Omphemetse Mogoeng
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I've been making this salad for years and it's always a favorite. It's perfect for a summer cookout or potluck.


Ghulam Ali Official
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This salad is a great way to use up leftover tortellini. I also like to add some grilled chicken or shrimp to it for a more complete meal.


Chrislene Thesalus
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I'm not a big fan of tortellini, but I loved this salad! The dressing is amazing and the combination of ingredients is perfect.


Shahidur Rahman
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This salad is so refreshing and flavorful. I love the combination of tortellini, vegetables, and dressing.


Bhishma Bhattarai
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I made this salad for a party and it was a huge hit! Everyone loved it.


Junior Campbell
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This salad is a great way to get your kids to eat their vegetables. My kids love the tortellini and the dressing.


Waleed Abrahams
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I've been making this salad for years and it's always a favorite. It's perfect for a summer cookout or potluck.


Adam Zine
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This salad is so easy to make and it's always a hit at parties. I highly recommend it.


Esther Namutowe
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I'm not a huge fan of tortellini salad, but this recipe changed my mind. The dressing is amazing and the combination of ingredients is perfect.


Parwaizakhtar Sial
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This salad is a great way to use up leftover tortellini. I also like to add some grilled chicken or shrimp to it for a more complete meal.


Ansari Boy
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I love the addition of artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomatoes to this salad. They add so much flavor and texture.


Saaf Nafis
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This is my go-to recipe for tortellini salad. It's always a hit and it's so easy to make.


Prince Kay
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I made this salad for a picnic and it was perfect! It's easy to transport and everyone loved it.


Sahazab baloch baloch
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This was a great recipe! I used a store-bought Italian dressing and it still turned out delicious.


Byiringiro Jean claude
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I've made this salad a few times now and it's always a crowd-pleaser. The dressing is so easy to make and it really elevates the salad.


SK Joni Hasan
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This tortellini salad was a hit at my last potluck! Everyone loved the combination of flavors and textures. The homemade Italian dressing was the perfect finishing touch.


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