Fresh Grinder Tortellini Salad Recipe
Fresh Grinder Tortellini Salad is a flavorful and vibrant pasta salad featuring al dente cheese tortellini, crispy bacon, tangy pepperoncini, fresh grape tomatoes, and a creamy Italian herb dressing. This chilled salad is perfect as a light lunch or a side dish for gatherings, combining creamy, savory, and slightly spicy notes with a refreshing crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 27 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing Ingredients
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
- 1 cup mayonnaise (Hellmann’s recommended)
- 1 tsp dried oregano or 1 tbsp fresh oregano, finely chopped
Salad Ingredients
- 1/3 cup drained pepperoncini peppers, thinly sliced or roughly chopped
- 8 slices cooked crumbled bacon
- 1 cup halved grape tomatoes
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion, finely chopped for milder flavor
- 19 oz frozen cheese tortellini, cooked al dente
Instructions
- Prepare the Bacon: Cook bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until they are crispy. Drain excess grease and transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb residual oil. Once cooled, chop bacon into small pieces and set aside.
- Cook the Cheese Tortellini: Bring a large pot of water to a boil on the stovetop. Add the frozen cheese tortellini and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain tortellini and rinse thoroughly with cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside.
- Make the Dressing: In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, salt, dried oregano, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir well until all ingredients are fully incorporated and a creamy dressing forms.
- Assemble the Salad: Add the cooked and cooled tortellini, chopped pepperoncini peppers, Parmesan cheese, chopped red onion, halved grape tomatoes, and chopped crispy bacon into the bowl containing the dressing. Gently toss all ingredients together, making sure everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let flavors meld and the salad to chill. Serve cold as a refreshing pasta salad.
Notes
- Using Hellmann’s mayonnaise enhances the dressing flavor, but you can substitute with your preferred brand.
- Chilling the salad for at least an hour improves flavor melding and texture.
- For milder onion flavor, finely chop the red onion or soak in cold water before adding.
- Can be made a few hours in advance and kept refrigerated before serving.
- This salad is best enjoyed within 2 days of preparation for freshness.
Keywords: tortellini salad, pasta salad, cheese tortellini, bacon salad, Italian dressing, pepperoncini, summer salad, easy pasta salad
Find it online: https://www.sanacooks.com/fresh-grinder-tortellini-salad-recipe/
