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Home » Salads » Creamy Italian Tortellini Salad

Creamy Italian Tortellini Salad

April 1, 2016 by Judith Hanneman

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Multicolored cheese tortellini in a creamy Italian sauce

Eye-catching multi-colored tortellini salad in a creamy Italian dressing. So addictive, it’s almost a meal in itself!

Looking for an excellent brunch or light dinner? Look no further than this tortellini salad!

Tortellini is so versatile because so much can be done with it. It’s so handy to have on hand in the freezer for last-minute meals that come up from time to time.

It’s even a godsend for those times when time gets away from you and you don’t have time to defrost something for a meal.

Multicolored cheese tortellini in a creamy Italian sauce

Even though it’s an ingredient in the background of many dishes–like soups–tortellini is tasty enough to stand on its own; just like in this salad.

The warmer weather is almost upon us and when it gets hot, a lot of us think about eating chilled meals and salads and that’s where this delightful tortellini salad comes into play.

Sure, it can be served as an accompaniment or side to a more substantial dinner, but this salad is hearty enough to stand on it’s own.

Multicolored cheese tortellini in a creamy Italian sauce

When I buy cheese tortellini for a recipe I intend to make, I don’t rely on the frozen–I buy the fresh kind. My store has varieties with many different fillings, but for cheese-filled kind, I tend to buy the tri-colored because it’s really more appetizing to my eye. And it’s an excellent choice for a salad. Of course the white tastes the same, but the colors add something special and as they say, we eat with our eyes.

The dressing is surprisingly simple–all ingredients you have on hand and it makes a great sandwich spread too! You can add a teaspoon or two of Parmesan cheese to the dressing to jazz it up even more, but I left mine basic and it was just wonderful.

 

Multicolored cheese tortellini in a creamy Italian sauce
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Creamy Italian Tortellini Salad

Eye-catching multi-colored tortellini salad in a creamy Italian dressing. So addictive, it’s almost a meal in itself!
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time5 mins
Total Time15 mins
Course: Brunch, pasta, salads
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: pasta salad recipe, tortellini
Servings: 4 -6
Calories: 832kcal
Author: Judith Hannemann

Ingredients

  • 1 pkg about 9 oz refrigerated cheese tortellini (I bought tri-color)

DRESSING

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 envelope Italian dressing mix
  • 1/4 cup milk or half-and-half
  • 1 tbs finely minced onion -OR- 1/2 tbs dehydrated instant onion see NOTES

Instructions

  • Prepare tortellini as per package instructions, but only cook until it's al dente--boil maybe 4-5 minutes. Drain in a colander; keeping tortellini in the colander rinse with cold water then let drain thoroughly. Set aside until completely cool.
  • Mix dressing ingredients in a small bowl.
  • Pour desired amount of dressing over cooled tortellini.
  • Chill until ready to serve.

Notes

If using instant dehydrated onion, re-hydrate before using by placing the dry onion flakes in a small bowl and mixing in 1 tbs warm water. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
A nice addition to the dressing is some Parmesan cheese. Add about 2 tsp. if desired.
You may have dressing left over--store in in a covered container in the fridge to use on green salad.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 832kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 54g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 79mg | Sodium: 1029mg | Potassium: 31mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 61IU | Calcium: 222mg | Iron: 4mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @midnitebaker or tag #midnitebaker!

 

 

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Filed Under: Brunch, Pasta, Salads Tagged With: creamy italian dressing, pasta, salad

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Comments

  1. Liz says

    April 1, 2016 at 4:39 pm

    Yum – thank you and have a wonderful weekend.

    • Judith Hanneman says

      April 1, 2016 at 4:41 pm

      You too Liz! <3

  2. Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says

    April 1, 2016 at 6:38 pm

    You do know that the way to an Italian’s heart is pasta + cheese. That is the key!! And by golly I could eat that salad morning, noon and night!! I am pinning this for this summer. Buon fine settimana!
    Marisa Franca @ All Our Way recently posted…Roasted Salmon with Leek, Shiitake, & Arugula SaladMy Profile

    • Judith Hanneman says

      April 1, 2016 at 8:07 pm

      I kidded on Twitter that at least the baking dish was authentic Italian. LOL!!! I did discover that this tastes wonderful cold too.

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