Summer Tortellini Salad 

This simple summer tortellini salad makes the perfect light lunch or a packable solution for a picnic. It's a Caprese-style cold salad with a delicious homemade dressing that's guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.

Summer tortellini salad is vibrant, tasty and super easy to make. It's a combination of cheesy tortellini and veggies, all tossed in a deliciously fragrant Italian dressing.

It's just the perfect recipe for lunch, but you can also make it ahead of time for picnics or potlucks.

I love that it's a versatile recipe, and you can swap ingredients to match whatever you have in the fridge.

It's also perfect for meal prep because it will keep well in the fridge for up to three days.

I like this cold tortellini salad even better on the second day as the flavours have more time to develop.

Why you'll love this summer tortellini salad

• It takes just 15 minutes to make from start to finish for a quick lunch that's also delicious.
• It's loaded with flavour and easily customizable. You can easily make it your own by adding extra veggies or olives.
• You can change it to suit your diet preferences - make it vegan or add some protein such as chicken or salami.

What goes into tortellini pasta salad?

Tortellini - I used cheese tortellini from the fresh pasta aisle here. If you're not veggie, you can also use prosciutto tortellini or any other type you like.

Make sure you don't overcook the tortellini for pasta salad - you want them to be al dente.

Homemade dressing - Making the perfect Italian dressing for this cheese tortellini pasta salad couldn't be easier.

I used a mix of extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, grated Parmesan, salt and freshly ground pepper. Use Italian seasoning instead of the basil and oregano mix if you like.

You can skip the Parmesan or use a vegan or vegetarian-friendly alternative. If you want the salad to have a bit of a kick, add ¼ teaspoon of red chili flakes.

Feel free to increase the oil and balsamic vinegar quantities to your liking. Keep in mind that the tortellini will soak up some of the dressing.

Tomatoes - Cherry tomatoes or baby plum tomatoes are perfect in this Italian pasta salad.

You can also use large tomatoes diced into bite-sized pieces. If you're not a fan of fresh tomatoes in pasta salads, you can use sun-dried tomatoes instead.

Red bell pepper - I like red pepper in pasta salads, but any other color will do. Pointed peppers or mini peppers are also great here.

Shallot - I love shallots in pasta salads because they have a milder flavor than red onion.

If you want to use red onion, a good tip is to slice it and then submerge it in a bowl of cold water for at least 10 minutes. This will take the pungent flavor out.

Mozzarella balls - Mini mozzarella balls are perfect in this tortellini salad, but you can also shred a large ball of mozzarella.

Artichoke hearts - These are optional, but I like to add them for extra texture.

You can use canned artichoke hearts or the kind that's stored in oil. If using the ones in oil, pat them dry before adding them to the salad.

Fresh basil leaves - Feel free to add as much fresh basil as you like.

How to make cold tortellini pasta salad

Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the tortellini al dente according to the instructions on the package. Drain and run them under cold water to cool them completely.

Meanwhile, make the dressing. Combine all dressing ingredients in a small bowl or jar and mix well to combine.

Transfer the cooked tortellini to a large bowl, add the rest of the ingredients, pour the dressing over the salad, and toss it to combine.

Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Recipe notes and tips

• You can make this salad recipe vegan by using vegan tortellini and eliminating the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. You can also use plant-based cheese alternatives.
• Other things you can add to this cold tortellini salad include olives, capers and grilled eggplant or zucchini.
• Leftovers will keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

If you liked this summer tortellini salad, you might also like some of my other easy veggie lunch recipes:

• Orzo Pasta Salad with Feta, Kalamata Olives and Wild Rocket (Arugula)
• Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta with Walnuts
• Cream of Asparagus Soup
• Easy Roasted Chickpeas Pasta with Spinach
• Mediterranean Pasta with Feta and Olives

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