Description
A vibrant, briny, and refreshing pasta salad starring cheese-filled tortellini, a duo of olives, crisp veggies, and a zesty red wine vinaigrette. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, and make-ahead lunches.
Ingredients
Scale
- 20 ounces cheese tortellini, cooked al dente and cooled
- 1 cup black olives, sliced
- 1 cup green olives, sliced
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 large cucumber, diced
- 1 large bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add tortellini, and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain, spread on a tray, and drizzle with a little olive oil to prevent sticking. Cool completely.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled tortellini, black olives, green olives, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, and parsley.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
- Pour the dressing over the salad. Gently toss until every piece is coated and the vegetables are evenly distributed.
- Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or a splash of vinegar if desired. Serve cold with extra parsley.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, fold in 1/2 cup crumbled feta just before serving.
- Use a mix of green and black olives for balanced briny flavor and color contrast.
- If the pasta seems dry after chilling, refresh with a tablespoon of olive oil and a teaspoon of vinegar.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Tossed
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg