Tuscan tortellini pasta salad is loaded with pasta, salami, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach with parmesan cheese and balsamic dressing.
I never knew that pasta salad didn’t have to involve thick creamy mayonnaise until I tried this pasta salad. This delicious pasta salad is perfect for year-round potlucks, and summer picnics, and cookouts. Best of all, you don’t have to worry about the temperature outside spoiling the whole salad.
What’s Needed to Make This Salad
A detailed list of ingredients is provided in the recipe card at the end of this post.
The Dressing Ingredients:
- Oil: I always use extra-virgin olive oil, but use any neutral oil you like.
- Vinegar: Balsamic vinegar is a must for this dressing. There really is no substitute for its richness.
- Seasonings: Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
The Salad Ingredients:
- Pasta: fresh cheese tortellini is so much better than frozen. Look for it in the refrigerated section of your grocery store’s deli.
- Meat: Use any type of salami you prefer.
- Greens: I used baby spinach, but I suppose any green will work.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: use the sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil. They always seem to have so much more flavor than dried ones. Drain before using.
- Cheese: I used freshly grated parmesano Regiano cheese. Pecorino Ramono also would work if you don’t have parmesan.
How To Make Tuscan Tortellini Pasta Salad
THE DRESSING:
Pour the olive oil and balsamic vinegar into a jar with a lid; season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
MAKE THE PASTA:
- Cook tortellini according to package directions in a large pot of salted water of high heat. Reserve ¼ cup of the pasta water and drain.
- Pour the pasta back into the pot and add the spinach and sun-dried tomatoes and one tablespoon of the pasta water. Stir well over low heat until the spinach has wilted and the sun-dried tomatoes have warmed through and become tender.
Note: Add in about a tablespoon of pasta water at a time if the pasta mixture seems too dry, but do not allow the mixture to become watery.
COMBINE THE SALAD:
- Pour the pasta mixture into a large bowl. Add the salami, and half of the cheese, toss until well combined.
- Garnish the salad with the remaining parmesan and serve with dressing on the side.
This salad is so flavorful that you totally forgot this was even considered a salad. I have made this salad twice before, even writing a blog post to share it with you.
Just one bite, and you will be in love too!
I’m sharing this recipe over at Fiesta Friday. Come on over and join in on the fun!
Tuscan Tortellini Pasta Salad
Ingredients
The Dressing:
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
The Salad:
- 9 ounces fresh cheese tortellini
- ½ cup salami chopped
- 1 cup baby spinach
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese divided, freshly grated
Instructions
MAKE THE DRESSING:
- Pour the olive oil and balsamic vinegar into a jar with a lid; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
MAKE THE PASTA:
- Cook tortellini according to package directions in a large pot of salted water of high heat. Reserve ¼ cup of the pasta water and drain.
- Pour the pasta back into the pot and add the in the spinach and sun-dried tomatoes and one tablespoon of the pasta water. Stir well over low heat, until the spinach has wilted and the sun-dried tomatoes have warmed through and become tender.
COMBINE THE SALAD:
- Pour the pasta mixture into a large bowl. Add the salami, and half of the cheese, toss until well combined.
- Garnish with remaining parmesan and serve with dressing on the side.
Shari Kelley says
This salad really looks incredible! I bet the texture and dressing are just wonderful. I love that it has spinach, too. Thank you so much for bringing it to Fiesta Friday. I will try not to eat it all myself! 🙂
The Mountain Kitchen says
Thanks Shari! It is hard to share this!! Happy FF!
Sarah says
I didn’t know a pasta salad could be made without a bunch of mayo either. This looks so flavorful and delicious! Pinned!
Colleen says
Looks great Debbie!
The Mountain Kitchen says
Thanks Colleen! I couldn’t stop eating it!
Judi Graber says
When I think I have enough pasta recipes along comes another good one like yours Debbie. I just need some tortellini and salami… Hmmm – I have prosciutto – I bet that would work 🙂
The Mountain Kitchen says
Hi Judi! Yes, prosciutto was an option in the original recipe. I preferred salami, but that will work also! Enjoy!
Michelle says
Debbie-
I am going to make this for sure!
Thanks for the recipe!
Michelle
The Mountain Kitchen says
Thanks, Michelle. It’s definitely in my food rotation now. Enjoy!
Julie says
I absolutely love pasta salads, and this one looks amazing! I’d rather eat the ones without the thick mayo too.
The Mountain Kitchen says
Thanks, Julie. This one is going into rotation!
Petra says
A great salad. Simple and delicious!
The Mountain Kitchen says
Thanks Petra. An instant favorite!