Description
A vibrant and crowd-pleasing pasta salad featuring tender cheese tortellini, crunchy Persian cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, and savory beef salami. Tossed in a zesty Italian-inspired vinaigrette, this dish is perfect for potlucks and quick weeknight meals. It combines a satisfying texture with robust flavors that hold up well over time, making it an ideal choice for meal prepping or large gatherings.
Ingredients
20 ounces cheese tortellini
1 tbsp kosher salt
16 ounces mozzarella balls (ciliegine), halved
15 ounces canned artichoke hearts, drained
8 ounces beef or turkey salami, diced
4 ounces black olives, sliced
24 cherry tomatoes, halved
1.5 cups Persian cucumbers, sliced
1/4 small red onion, slivered
1/3 cup fresh basil, slivered
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and add 1 tbsp of kosher salt.
Add the cheese tortellini and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until they float.
Drain the pasta and rinse immediately under cold water to stop the cooking process.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and minced garlic to create the dressing.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled tortellini, mozzarella, artichokes, salami, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion.
Pour the dressing over the salad components and toss gently to ensure everything is evenly coated.
Garnish with fresh slivered basil before serving.
Notes
Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If the pasta absorbs too much dressing, add a splash of olive oil or vinegar before serving again. Use turkey salami to keep the dish strictly halal.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 5
- Category: RECIPES
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 45mg