Easy Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe
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This Easy Tortellini Salad Recipe is a bright and flavorful pasta salad loaded with cheese tortellini, fresh vegetables, and a tasty Italian dressing. Ready in under 20 minutes, it’s the perfect side dish for BBQs, summer gatherings, and weeknight dinners.
The combination of tender cheese tortellini, crisp veggies, and a tangy homemade dressing makes this tortellini salad seriously addictive! This is an easy recipe my sister has made for years and shared with me – and it has become a reader and family favorite because it’s quick to throw together, can be made ahead (because it tastes even better after chilling), and travels well. Whether you’re serving it at a backyard cookout, summer gathering, or family meal, this tortellini salad is always a hit!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Tortellini Salad Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Ready in under 20 minutes.
- Make-Ahead Fave: Flavors improve after chilling — ideal for parties.
- Customizable: Easy to add protein or swap veggies.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Fresh and colorful; loved by kids and adults.
- Great for Any Occasion: Perfect for potlucks, BBQs, picnics, and easy meal prep.
Ingredients for Easy Tortellini Salad
Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.
- Cheese Tortellini: Refrigerated package
- Cherry Tomatoes: Cut in half
- Cucumbers: Peeled and chopped
- Black olives: Drained, use whole or sliced in half
- Feta Cheese: Crumbled
- Homemade Italian Dressing: (or store-bought)
- Fresh Oregano: (optional for garnish)
Optional Protein Add-In
- Shredded Chicken (Cooked and shredded; Great to create a one-dish meal)
How to Make Tortellini Pasta Salad
This easy recipe comes together quickly, with no cooking other than the tortellini.
Step by Step Instructions
- Cook tortellini and prepare veggies: Boil according to the package directions, making sure not to overcook. Drain and rinse with cold water. Transfer to large bowl. Prepare veggies while pasta cooks.
- Assemble salad: Add the sliced cherry tomatoes, chopped cucumber, black olives, and feta cheese to the bowl with the drained tortellini.
- Toss with dressing: Give the Homemade Italian Dressing (or store-bought) a quick shake, then pour it over the salad ingredients, and toss until all is evenly coated.
- Chill/Serve: Can chill for at least 30 minutes before serving if you want it cooled; wait to garnish right before serving, or garnish and serve immediately.
Recipe Variations
- Vegetarian: Keep recipe as written; can add in chickpeas if you wish.
- Protein-Packed: Stir in shredded chicken for a complete meal.
Recipe Success Tips
- Don’t Overcook Tortellini: Al dente texture holds up best in salad.
- Rinse with Cold Water: Stops cooking and prevents sticking.
- Make Ahead: Flavors meld even better when chilled or made ahead; Prepare a few hours ahead or night before.
Storage Instructions
- Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 4-5 days.
- Do Not Freeze: Pasta and fresh veggies do not freeze well in this salad.
- Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare up to 24 hours in advance for best flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes – the flavors actually improve after chilling for a bit.
Cheese tortellini (refrigerated) works best in this recipe.
Up to 4 or 5 days if stored properly in the refrigerator.
Yes – I enjoy my easy homemade recipe due to the simple ingredients, but bottled works great when needed.
Only if you use gluten-free tortellini.
More Favorite Salad Recipes
Why This Easy Tortellini Salad Is A Winner
Bright and packed with flavor, this easy tortellini salad is the perfect make-ahead side dish. Simple to make and always a crowd-favorite, it’s a recipe you’ll make again and again for everything from simple lunches to potlucks and BBQs.
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Easy Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 medium cucumber, peeled and chopped
- 12 ounces black olives,, 2 (6-ounce) jars
- 16 ounces Feta cheese
- 1 cup Homemade Italian Dressing, or store-bought
- chopped fresh oregano, for garnish if desired
Instructions
- Cook the tortellini pasta according to package instructions. Drain well and transfer to a large bowl. Add the tomatoes, cucumber, black olives, and feta cheese to the tortellini. Pour in the Italian dressing and stir until well-combined. Top with fresh oregano if desired. Serve immediately or cover with wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Notes
- Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 4-5 days.
- Do Not Freeze: Pasta and fresh veggies do not freeze well in this salad.
- Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare up to 24 hours in advance for best flavor.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
From the Add a Pinch recipe archives. Originally published 2015.
20 OZ. OF TORTELINI MAKES QUITE A BIT. fOR JUST WE TWO, i HAVE TO CUT IT DOWN BUT FIRST, I MADE THE FULL AMOUNT AND TOOK IT TO A SMALL POT-LUCK. NOTHING WAS LEFT FOR ME TO BEING HOME!!! EVERYONE LOVED IT. I’M MAKING IT AGAIN THIS WEEKEND WHEN THE KIDS WILL BE OVER.
I love that everyone at the pot-luck loved this tortellini pasta salad and hope your family loves it, too. Thanks, Renee.
Wow this sounds so very, very yummy! Thank you for sharing the recipe. It’s so good to see a great pasta salad recipe, and one that’s not full of mayo! Your homemade Italian dressing sounds very good. Will be sure to try it soon.
I hope you enjoy this tortellini pasta salad, Joan.
I’ve made this with rotini and Good Seasons Italian and it was really good. But, I’m going to try with the tortellini now. I think this will just make it that much better. Thank you for the upgrade to my pasta salad!
Thank you for this delicious recipe! I purchased tri-colour (Spinach & Sundried Tomato Tortellini along with the regular white) I had all three colours for the Italian flag and it was perfect for our big Italian Sunday family gathering! The flavours were wonderful together.
We made this for a party last weekend and it was a hit. I do think that next time I’ll make the dressing rather than using botted. Great flavors! Thanks for the yummy recipe. I pin so many of your recipes!
Hi Allyn,
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Yes, I always love the flavors in it more when I use homemade dressing as well. xo
This looks really good. will try and make it this weekend.. It is a long weekend over here in Australia.. Plus, though winter, it can be so beautiful during the days, that you sit outside. Even if we can’t, this would be ideal. Thank you for the recipe. Marked it 5 Stars as sounds, looks and seems to keep everyone satisfied type recipe…
This tortellini salad looks amazing. I am not a fan of Feta Cheese~any ideas for a substitute?
Mexican Queso Fresco or maybe Fresh Mozzarella? YUM!
I could eat this everyday! Quick, tasty, healthy! Perfect for workday lunch 😉
This looks so yummy! Can’t wait to try it. What a great summer dish. Thank’s for sharing.
I hope you enjoy it, Debra!
This pasta salad looks fabulous! I used to hate pasta salad until a friend served me pasta salad made with cheese tortellini. It was great but I’m not sure it was as great as yours! I’ll be making this soon.
It is so, so, so good! I hope you love it, too!