Description
This Italian Pasta Salad, also known as Antipasto Salad, is a vibrant and flavorful dish combining tender cheese tortellini with fresh vegetables, deli salami, and a zesty Italian dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or as a side dish at gatherings, it offers a delightful mix of textures and Mediterranean-inspired flavors, easy to prepare in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 1 cup Italian Dressing (or 1 cup Homemade Italian Dressing)
Pasta Salad
- 20 oz. cheese tortellini (1 bag, refrigerated, store-bought)
- 1 cucumber (sliced and quartered, seeded if desired)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 can black olives (6 oz., drained and halved)
- 1 roasted red pepper (chopped)
- ½ medium red onion (thinly sliced)
- 2 pepperoncini (chopped)
- 1 cup mini bocconcini
- 1 cup deli salami (chopped)
Garnish
- 2 tbsp parmesan cheese (grated)
- 2 tbsp fresh basil (julienned)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
- 1 tsp fresh basil (chopped)
- 1 tsp fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Prepare Dressing: If using homemade Italian dressing, prepare it according to your recipe and set aside in the refrigerator to chill and develop flavors.
- Cook Tortellini: Boil salted water and cook the cheese tortellini following package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cool water to stop cooking. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Toss Pasta with Dressing: Pour half of the Italian dressing over the warm tortellini and toss gently to coat evenly. This helps the pasta absorb flavors.
- Add Salad Ingredients: To the bowl with pasta, add sliced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, drained black olives, chopped roasted red pepper, thinly sliced red onion, chopped pepperoncini, mini bocconcini, and chopped deli salami.
- Combine Salad: Pour the remaining dressing over all ingredients in the bowl. Toss carefully until all components are evenly coated with dressing.
- Chill Salad: For best flavor and texture, refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the tortellini to fully cool.
- Garnish and Serve: Before serving, garnish with additional grated parmesan cheese, julienned fresh basil, and chopped parsley. Serve chilled and enjoy!
Notes
- Use homemade Italian dressing for a fresher flavor, or store-bought for convenience.
- Seeding the cucumber is optional but helps reduce excess moisture.
- Chilling the salad improves flavor blending and texture.
- Can be prepared a few hours ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator.
- For added protein, consider adding grilled chicken or turkey.
- Salami may be substituted with other deli meats or omitted for a vegetarian version.
