Go Back
+ servings
Italian Pasta Salad

Mediterranean-Style Italian Pasta Salad for Vibrant Meals

This Italian Pasta Salad is a colorful mix of vegetables, salami, and cheese tortellini, perfect for summer gatherings.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
Calories: 300

Ingredients
  

For the Salad Base
  • 20 oz cheese tortellini Try gluten-free tortellini for a different dietary option.
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved; grape tomatoes can serve as a lovely substitute.
  • 1 cup cucumber sliced and halved; you can swap it with bell pepper.
  • 1/2 cup red onion thinly sliced; use sweet onion for a milder taste.
  • 1 cup marinated artichoke hearts chopped; canned or frozen artichokes work beautifully.
  • 1/2 cup black olives sliced; substitute with green olives for a different flavor.
  • 1/2 cup pepperoncini sliced; jalapeños can replace them for spiciness.
  • 1/2 cup roasted red peppers chopped; fresh roasted or jarred ones are both fine.
  • 1 cup salami chopped; for vegetarian version, use chickpeas.
  • 1 cup mozzarella pearls feel free to use cubed mozzarella as a substitute.
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated; nutritional yeast can substitute for vegan.
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil chopped; parsley works as an alternative.
For the Dressing
  • 1/2 cup olive oil avocado oil is a good alternative.
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar apple cider vinegar makes a suitable substitute.
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard yellow mustard can be used in a pinch.
  • 1 teaspoon honey consider maple syrup for a vegan take.
  • 2 cloves garlic minced; fresh is always best.
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano Italian seasoning can create a lovely flavor.
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt adjust to suit dietary needs.
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper feel free to adjust according to taste.

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • Medium mixing bowl
  • large mixing bowl
  • spatula

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 20 oz of cheese tortellini and cook according to package instructions, typically 3-5 minutes. Once tender yet firm, drain the tortellini in a colander and rinse under cold water until completely cooled, stopping the cooking process.
  2. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of olive oil, 1/4 cup of red wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon of honey, 2 cloves of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Mix until well combined, and set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled tortellini with 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes, 1 cup of sliced cucumber, 1/2 cup of thinly sliced red onion, 1 cup of chopped marinated artichoke hearts, 1/2 cup of sliced black olives, and 1/2 cup of sliced pepperoncini. Gently fold these ingredients together.
  4. Next, add 1/2 cup of chopped salami, 1 cup of mozzarella pearls, and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese to the bowl with the tortellini and vegetables. Toss everything together gently.
  5. Pour the prepared dressing over the combined ingredients, then gently toss the salad until every component is coated.
  6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes.
  7. Serve the salad chilled or at room temperature.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 10gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 700mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Allow the salad to chill for at least 30 minutes for enhanced flavor. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!