Description
This Meaty Tortellini Salad is a hearty and flavorful dish combining tender cheese tortellini, savory Italian sausage, fresh vegetables, and a zesty Italian dressing. Perfect for a quick lunch or a light dinner, it’s easy to prepare and served chilled for a refreshing taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 12 oz cheese tortellini
- 8 oz Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil or parsley
- 1/3 cup Italian dressing
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Tortellini: Cook the cheese tortellini according to package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain well and rinse under cold water to cool the pasta and stop further cooking.
- Prepare Sausage: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the Italian sausage until browned and thoroughly cooked. Drain any excess fat and allow the sausage to cool slightly.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled tortellini, cooked sausage, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, sliced black olives, diced red onion, shredded mozzarella, and chopped fresh basil or parsley.
- Add Dressing: Pour the Italian dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss to evenly coat everything with the dressing.
- Season: Taste the salad and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper according to your preference.
- Chill: Place the salad in the refrigerator and chill for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving.
Notes
- Make sure to rinse the tortellini with cold water after cooking to avoid it sticking together and to cool it down for the salad.
- Use fresh herbs like basil for a brighter flavor, or parsley for a milder taste.
- The salad can be prepared a few hours in advance and kept refrigerated, making it ideal for meal prep or gatherings.
- Variations can include adding other veggies like bell peppers or substituting mozzarella with feta for a tangier taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
