This Italian inspired tortellini salad recipe is a full meal deal!

Tortellini, salami, cheese, and veggies are tossed in Italian dressing for a hearty pasta salad. Serve it as a side dish or main dish all year long.

plated Italian Tortellini Salad

You’ll Love This Tortellini Salad Because…

  • Bright and beautiful, this recipe is jam-packed with flavor.
  • This tortellini salad is great as a side dish but hearty enough to serve as a main dish, too.
  • It’s great for parties or lunches since it’s easy to prep ahead.
Ingredients for Italian tortellini salad on a tray

Ingredients for Tortellini Salad

  • Tortellini: Cheese or spinach tortellini is great in this recipe. Tricolor tortellini adds a pretty punch of color.
  • Veggies: Vegetables including onions, red and green bell pepper, and cherry tomatoes add both color and lots of flavor.
  • Bold Flavors: We love salami but you can use pastrami, prosciutto, ham, or pepperoni.
  • Cheese: Since I use cheese-filled tortellini, I only add a sprinkle of parmesan for flavor. If using spinach tortellini, you can add chopped mozzarella.
  • Dressing: Keep it quick with pre-made Italian dressing or make your own homemade Italian dressing.
top view of ingredients in a bowl to make Italian Tortellini Salad

Variations for Tortellini Salad

One of the best things about tortellini salad is the ingredients can be mixed and matched for whatever you have on hand!

  • Artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, and olives great additions.
  • Up the protein with leftover shredded chicken or even grilled shrimp.

How to Make Italian Tortellini Salad

  1. Cook & drain tortellini. Rinse with cold water to stop the cooking.
  2. Combine with remaining ingredients according to the recipe below.
  3. Cover & chill before serving.

Quick Tip

As with most pasta salad recipes, the pasta will soak up some of the dressing as it sits. Cook the pasta until just firm and dress it very generously.

pouring dressing over top ingredients to make Italian Tortellini Salad

Leftovers

Italian tortellini salad will last up to 5 days in the refrigerator in a covered container. Simply stir and serve!

More Summer Salads

Did you make this Italian Tortellini Salad? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below! 

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close up of Italian Tortellini Salad on a plate with a spoon and fork
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Italian Tortellini Salad

Bright, flavorful, & full of fresh veggies, this Italian Tortellini Salad is the perfect dish for a potluck or backyard BBQ!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings 8
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Ingredients  

  • 18 ounces refrigerated cheese tortellini
  • 1 cup Italian dressing homemade or store-bought, more as needed
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • ¾ cup diced salami
  • cup diced red onion
  • ½ red bell pepper diced
  • ½ green bell pepper diced
  • 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Instructions 

  • Cook the tortellini in a large pot salted water al dente according to package directions.
  • Once cooked, drain well and rinse under cold water to cool and stop from cooking.
  • In a large bowl, combine cooled tortellini, tomatoes, salami, onion, bell pepper, Parmesan, and parsley. Add the dressing and toss well to mix.
  • Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. If desired, garnish with additional Parmesan cheese before serving.

Notes

Optional additions:
  • 1 cup marinated artichoke hearts, drained
  • 1/2 cup pitted olives
  • 1/2 cup sundried tomatoes
Any color bell pepper will work in this recipe.  If the onion is really strong, soak it in cold water while you prepare the other ingredients.
Do not overcook pasta. To save time, start the pasta and chop the other ingredients while the pasta is cooking.
The pasta will soak up dressing as it chills, be sure to dress generously.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. 
4.99 from 100 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 304 | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 800mg | Potassium: 145mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 414IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 105mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Pasta, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Italian
easy Italian Tortellini Salad with a title
Italian Tortellini Salad with fresh veggies and writing
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ingredients to make Italian Tortellini Salad in a bowl and plated dish with a title

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
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Comments

  1. Hi Holly ~ love your recipes and making my grocery list. Quick question do you use frozen or refrigerated tortellini?

  2. I love this recipe. You can add or omit ingredients. Always good no matter what. Everyone loves it. Made many times. Use Ken’s dressings – Three cheese my favorite.5 stars

  3. Delicious. Don’t like peppers so I used olives instead. Next time I think I’ll add some marinated artichoke hearts, as Holly suggested. Used homemade dressing. Loved it, so did hubby.5 stars

  4. Just made this tortellini salad and popped it in the fridge…tried a small bowl and it’s delicious…(left out the meat).
    I know my friends will love it…thank you for such an easy yummy recipe. Love all your recipes, they are all easy..simple and delicious.5 stars

  5. I am really enjoying this salad. Love the flavor and crunch of the bell peppers. Next time I will add pepperoncini peppers. I used Garlic Expressions dressing. Seriously good!5 stars

  6. Haven’t made this yet but I’m wondering if anybody adds those little mozzarella balls it sounds like it would go good in this