Description
Meaty Tortellini Salad combines tender cheese or meat-stuffed tortellini, savory Italian sausage, and fresh crisp vegetables tossed in a zesty Italian dressing. This hearty, vibrant salad is quick to prepare, full of balanced flavors, and perfect for lunches, dinners, potlucks, or meal prepping.
Ingredients
Primary Ingredients
- Cheese or Meat-Stuffed Tortellini – 12 oz (about 340g)
- Ground Italian Sausage – 8 oz (about 225g)
- Cherry Tomatoes – 1 cup, halved
- Baby Spinach or Arugula – 2 cups, rinsed
- Red Onion – ½ medium, thinly sliced
- Bell Peppers – 1 cup, diced (any color)
- Kalamata Olives – ¼ cup, pitted and halved
- Parmesan Cheese – ½ cup, grated
Dressing
- Italian Dressing – ½ cup (store-bought or homemade)
Optional Variations and Garnishes
- Red Pepper Flakes or Chopped Jalapeños – 1 tsp (for spicy kick)
- Sautéed Mushrooms or Grilled Tofu – 8 oz (vegetarian sausage substitute)
- Feta, Mozzarella Pearls, or Fresh Ricotta – ½ cup (alternative cheese)
- Balsamic Glaze or Lemon Vinaigrette – substitute dressing
- Artichoke Hearts, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, or Cucumbers – ½ cup each (additional veggies)
- Fresh Basil Leaves or Chopped Parsley – for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Tortellini: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the tortellini according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta down for the salad.
- Brown the Sausage: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground Italian sausage until browned and fully cooked, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Drain excess fat and allow it to cool slightly.
- Prepare the Vegetables: While the pasta and sausage are cooking, wash and chop the cherry tomatoes, slice the red onion thinly, dice the bell peppers, and thoroughly rinse the greens. Combine all in a large mixing bowl.
- Toss Everything Together: Add the cooled tortellini and sausage to the bowl with the vegetables. Pour the Italian dressing over the top and toss gently to ensure every bite is evenly coated.
- Finish with Cheese and Olives: Sprinkle the salad with grated Parmesan cheese and scatter Kalamata olives on top for a final burst of flavor. Mix lightly and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
Notes
- Fresh Ingredients Matter: Use fresh vegetables and quality sausage to maximize flavor.
- Don’t Overcook Pasta: Keep tortellini al dente to maintain a pleasant bite and avoid mushiness.
- Chill Before Serving: Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes for flavors to meld.
- Adjust Dressing Amount: Start with less dressing and add more as needed to avoid sogginess.
- Mix Gently: Use a large bowl and fold ingredients carefully to keep the tortellini intact.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
Keywords: Meaty Tortellini Salad, Italian salad, pasta salad, sausage salad, tortellini recipe, quick dinner, potluck dish, Italian cuisine