The Recipe Critic

---

Easy Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad Posted: 23 Jul 2022 05:00 AM PDT Easy Italian tortellini pasta salad is full of fresh summer veggies, salami, and tortellini pasta. It is tossed in a zesty Italian dressing and is always the hit of the potluck! Pasta salads are the best! There are so many out there to try and so many variations that they are different every single time! Try some more favorites like this salad Mediterranean pasta salad or a Tuscan pasta salad.  Both recipes are easy to make and so delicious! Easy Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad Alright, who is obsessed with side dishes at BBQs and get-togethers? I love them SO much! I think it’s because I love trying food and a potluck means that I get to try a little bit of everything! This Italian Tortellini Salad is SO delicious! I mean, I love a good pasta salad, but when you give me one where even the noodles have cheese in them? You don’t have to ask me twice! This Italian pasta salad comes together quickly and easily. It is perfect with the fresh summer veggies inside, along with the salami, olives, and mozzarella cheese balls. It gets tossed with tortellini pasta and Italian dressing.  Such a delicious classic with so many fresh ingredients. You are going to love it just as much as we did! Ingredients for Pasta Salad This pasta salad is full of different meats, veggies, cheeses, and a delicious Italian dressing! Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post to find all of the exact measurements! Refrigerated Tortellini: I used spinach and cheese. Cherry Tomatoes: Chop the tomatoes in half so they are bite-sized. Cucumber: This brings a fresh flavor to the salad. Olives: These add a smooth, savory flavor and also a pop of contrasting color! Mozzarella Cheese Balls: I love the mild flavor of the mozzarella with the spice of the salami. Italian Salami: Cubed pieces work great and add awesome texture and flavor. Dressing Italian Salad Dressing: Use store-bought or make your own.  I used pre-made for this recipe. Grated Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated give you the most flavor. Sesame Seeds: The texture of these little seeds in the dressing is fantastic. Paprika: Gives great color to the dressing. Celery Seed: A versatile spice that gives a great celery flavor to this pasta salad. Garlic Powder: Garlic is the perfect favor to go with this Italian pasta salad! How to Make Italian Pasta Salad This salad gets tossed together and makes the most delicious blend of flavors! Eat it for lunch OR dinner. Or both! Once you taste it you will understand why I love it so much! Cook pasta and add meats and veggies: Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water. Add cherry tomatoes, cucumber, olives, mozzarella cheese balls, and Italian salami to a large bowl. Dressing Instructions:  To make the dressing: Whisk together Italian salad dressing, parmesan cheese, sesame seeds, paprika, celery seed, and garlic powder. Pour over salad and toss until coated. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight. Tips for the Best Tortellini Pasta Salad: This recipe is super simple to make and is very quick and easy to put together, so you should take the time to follow these few extra tips to make this the best pasta salad you have ever made! Don’t overcook noodles: Your pasta salad will become mushy if your noodles are too soft.  Plus, the acids from the dressing will continue to break down starches in the pasta as it sits. Shock the noodles:  When the noodles are cooked to al dente, drain the noodles.  Then, place the strainer of pasta in an ice bath (equal parts ice and water).  This will stop the noodles from continuing to cook. Cool the pasta: Even if you do not choose to shock the noodles, make sure that you allow time for the pasta to cool before combining it with vegetables.  This is because you do not want the warm pasta to soak in the dressing and become gummy.  Also, you do not want the heat of the pasta to cook the vegetables. Make ahead: Allow the pasta salad time to sit before serving. This will give the flavors time to permeate through the pasta. Cover and allow it to sit for at least 1 hour before serving for the best results. Cut the ingredients to equal sizes.  Make sure all the veggies are cut before adding them in.  Think of trying to get some of everything into each bite. Serving and Storing Cold Salad: As the Italian tortellini pasta salad chills, the flavors may become milder.  So, give it a taste test before serving.  Then decide if you need to add any additional seasoning before serving.  Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.  Although, I find it is most delicious on day two.  Do not leave out at room temperature longer than 2 hours.  More Pasta Salad Recipes I love pasta salad recipes! They are so hearty and feeling and basically are a meal in one! They have protein, carbs plus all of the delicious veggies! Oh and I love that they taste better on e day two! Try some of these other recipes and be sure to double the recipe so that you have leftovers! Salads Greek Broccoli Pasta Salad Salads Lemon Chicken Pasta Salad Pasta Orzo Pasta Salad Salads Kale Pasta Salad Print Easy Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad Easy Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad is full of fresh summer veggies, salami, and tortellini pasta. It is tossed in a zesty italian dressing and is always the hit of the potluck! Course Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish Cuisine American, Italian, Italian American Keyword cold pasta salad, Cold Salad, italian tortellini pasta salad, Pasta Salad, tortellini pasta salad Prep Time 15 minutes Cook Time 10 minutes Total Time 25 minutes Servings 8 People Calories 173kcal Author Alyssa Rivers Ingredients 1 20 ounce package refrigerated tortellini (I used spinach and cheese) 1 pint cherry tomatoes chopped in half 1 large cucumber diced 1/2 cup olives sliced 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese balls 1/2 cup italian salami cubed DRESSING: 1 cup Italian salad dressing ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 tablespoon sesame seeds 1 teaspoon paprika ½ teaspoon celery seed ¼ teaspoon garlic powder Instructions Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water. Add cherry tomatoes, cucumber, olives, mozzarella cheese balls, and italian salami to a large bowl. Dressing Instructions: To make the dressing: Whisk together italian salad dressing, parmesan cheese, sesame seeds, paprika, celery seed, and garlic powder. Pour over salad and toss until coated. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight. Notes Updated on May 21, 2020 Originally Posted on: July 9, 2017 Nutrition Calories: 173kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 643mg | Potassium: 219mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 645IU | Vitamin C: 18.2mg | Calcium: 112mg | Iron: 1.1mg

Apple Cider Vinaigrette Posted: 22 Jul 2022 05:00 PM PDT Apple cider vinaigrette is a staple dressing for adding a burst of bright, tangy flavor to your favorite salads. Make it from scratch and you won't want it any other way! I have been pretty obsessed with homemade salad dressings recently. They're just so good! No matter what you add them to, it takes the flavor to the next level! Plus, you know exactly what's going into them so you don't have to worry about preservatives or artificial flavors! You've got to try making homemade ranch, copycat Olive Garden dressing, and lemon vinaigrette next. Homemade Apple Cider Vinaigrette Recipe When it comes to salad dressings, apple cider vinaigrette is one of the best. It's silky smooth and has a tangy flavor that works with both sweet and savory salads! The consistency is my favorite, too. It adds just the right amount of flavor without being too thick and heavy. And if you're not already convinced, apple cider vinegar does wonders for the body. Anything that's both healthy and delicious is a win in my book! Apple cider vinegar is packed with probiotics for healthy digestion and can help with weight loss and lowering cholesterol! You are going to LOVE having this homemade dressing on hand and want to put it on everything. I know I have! Ingredients You'll Need Nothing fancy here! All you need is some apple cider vinegar and a few other simple ingredients from your pantry. Measurements for each ingredient can be found below in the recipe card! Apple Cider Vinegar: This gives the vinaigrette its signature tangy and fruity flavor. Honey: Adds sweetness and helps your vinaigrette become nice and smooth. Dijon Mustard: Helps to thicken your dressing a little and adds the best pop of tangy flavor! Garlic: The savory flavor of garlic balances the sweetness of the apple cider vinegar perfectly. Kosher Salt: I always go for kosher salt instead of table salt because it doesn't have a bitter aftertaste. Sea salt works, too! Cracked Black Pepper: For an extra hint of flavor! Olive Oil: Helps to coat your greens with all of the delicious herbs and flavors in the dressing. I used extra-virgin olive oil! How to Make Apple Cider Vinaigrette This vinaigrette mixes up in minutes which is great when you have a busy schedule. I make a batch for myself at the start of each week for quick and easy lunches. You won't want takeout salads when you have this tasty dressing around! Whisk: In a bowl or jar, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, honey, dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper. Add Olive Oil: In a steady stream, pour in the olive oil whisking as you add it. Whisk until smooth and incorporated.  Serve: Chill in the refrigerator in a sealable container until you’re ready to serve with your salad! Tips and Variations You can easily adjust the flavor of this apple cider vinaigrette to your preference! Here are a few tips to get you started. Adjust Flavor: If you feel that the flavor of your dressing is too strong, you can add more olive oil to make it milder. Olive Oil Substitutes: You can swap olive oil out with just about any light salad oil. Just keep in mind that the oil you use may alter the flavor of your vinaigrette slightly. Soybean, avocado, and walnut oil are just a handful of the many types you can use! Add Herbs: Adding herbs to your homemade dressings is a great way to infuse extra flavor! I always like adding a pinch of Italian seasoning. How Long Does Homemade Apple Cider Vinaigrette Last? Your homemade vinaigrette will last in the fridge for one week in an airtight container like a mason jar. The ingredients may separate as it sits, so give it a shake or stir before you use it! More Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes I’m sure that once you start making dressings and vinaigrettes from scratch, you’ll be as hooked as I am. You can’t beat their fresh, delicious flavor! Check out these other recipes to take all of your salads to the next level! Dressings, Sauces, and Dips Greek Salad Dressing Dressings, Sauces, and Dips Honey Mustard Dressing Dressings, Sauces, and Dips Cafe Rio {Copycat} Cilantro Ranch Dressing Dressings, Sauces, and Dips Authentic Caesar Dressing Print Apple Cider Vinaigrette Apple cider vinaigrette is a staple dressing for adding a burst of bright, tangy flavor to your favorite salads. Make it from scratch and you won't want it any other way! Course Dressing Cuisine American Prep Time 5 minutes Total Time 5 minutes Servings 4 Calories 195kcal Author Alyssa Rivers Ingredients 1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar 2 tbsp Honey 1 tsp Dijon Mustard Garlic, minced 1/4 tsp Kosher Salt 1/4 tsp Cracked Black Pepper 1/3 cup Olive Oil Instructions In a bowl or jar, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, honey, dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper. In a steady stream, pour in the olive oil whisking as you add it. Whisk until smooth and incorporated. Chill in the refrigerator in a sealable container until you're ready to serve with your salad! Nutrition Serving: 2tbsp | Calories: 195kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Sodium: 161mg | Potassium: 20mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 0.2mg

You are subscribed to email updates from The Recipe Critic. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Inbox too full? Subscribe to the feed version of The Recipe Critic in a feed reader.
Google, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States