Description
A hearty and flavorful Meaty Tortellini Salad featuring a mix of cheese tortellini, ham, bacon, salami, fresh vegetables, and mozzarella, all tossed in zesty Italian dressing. This cold pasta salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a satisfying main course on warm days.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 (20 oz) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
Meats
- 1 cup cooked and diced ham
- 1 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- 1 cup salami slices cut into strips
Vegetables & Cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
Dressing & Seasoning
- 3/4 cup Italian dressing (bottled or homemade)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the tortellini: Prepare the cheese tortellini according to the package instructions, typically boiling them in salted water until tender. Once cooked, drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta.
- Combine ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled tortellini along with the diced ham, crumbled bacon, salami strips, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, sliced black olives, shredded mozzarella cheese, and chopped red onion. Mix gently to evenly distribute all ingredients.
- Add dressing and season: Pour the Italian dressing over the combined ingredients and toss thoroughly until everything is evenly coated with the dressing. Taste and season with salt and black pepper as desired.
- Chill before serving: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes. This resting time allows the flavors to meld and the salad to chill.
- Final toss and serve: Before serving, give the salad another gentle toss to redistribute the dressing and ingredients. Serve chilled as a main course or picnic dish.
Notes
- For a leaner meat option, substitute turkey or grilled chicken for ham or salami.
- Add chopped bell peppers or banana peppers for extra crunch and a tangy flavor twist.
- Using homemade Italian dressing enhances freshness and flavor control.
