Description
This comforting and hearty pasta salad combines tender cheese-filled tortellini with savory beef salami and creamy mozzarella pearls. Tossed in a vibrant herb-forward dressing with crisp cucumbers, tomatoes, and bell peppers, this refreshing dish is perfect for family gatherings. It is a meditative, easy-to-prepare meal that tastes even better after the flavors have melded in the refrigerator.
Ingredients
12 oz tortellini (fresh or frozen)
6 oz beef salami, diced
8 oz mozzarella cheese, cubed or pearls
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup cucumber, diced
1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup olives, sliced (optional)
1/2 cup herb-based Italian dressing
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
Cook tortellini according to package directions until tender.
Drain the tortellini immediately into a colander and rinse thoroughly under cold running water to stop the cooking process.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled tortellini, beef salami, mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, and olives.
Drizzle the Italian dressing over the salad and toss gently to ensure everything is evenly coated.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.
Notes
This salad can be prepared in advance; keeping it in the refrigerator allows the dressing to soak into the tortellini for deeper flavor. Use high-quality beef salami to ensure the best savory profile. You can substitute fresh basil with parsley or oregano if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 45mg