Fresh Grinder Tortellini Salad Recipe
Fresh Grinder Tortellini Salad is a vibrant and creamy pasta salad featuring al dente cheese tortellini tossed with a zesty homemade dressing, pepperoncini peppers, grape tomatoes, red onion, and Parmesan cheese. This chilled salad combines bold Italian flavors with a smooth mayonnaise-based dressing, making it a perfect side dish or light meal for warm days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dressing:
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup mayonnaise (Hellmann’s recommended)
- 1 tsp dried oregano (or 1 tbsp fresh, finely chopped)
For the Salad:
- 1/3 cup drained pepperoncini peppers (thinly sliced or roughly chopped)
- 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
- Cook the Cheese Tortellini: Bring a pot of water to a boil on the stove. Cook the frozen cheese tortellini according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse thoroughly with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool.
- Make the Dressing: In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, salt, dried oregano, dried Italian herbs, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir well until all ingredients are fully blended into a smooth and flavorful dressing.
- Assemble the Salad: Add the cooled tortellini, pepperoncini peppers, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped red onion, and halved grape tomatoes to the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss the ingredients together until everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill. When ready to serve, give it a final stir and enjoy your fresh tortellini salad.
Notes
- For a milder onion flavor, finely chop the red onion or soak briefly in cold water before adding.
- The salad can be made up to a day in advance for more developed flavors.
- You may substitute pepperoncini with banana peppers or mild pickled peppers if preferred.
- If you want extra protein, grilled chicken or cooked bacon can be added.
- Use mayonnaise of your choice, but full-fat Hellmann’s is recommended for best flavor and creaminess.
Keywords: tortellini salad, Italian salad, pasta salad, creamy dressing, pepperoncini, cheese tortellini, easy side dish
