Fresh Grinder Tortellini Salad Recipe

Introduction

This Fresh Grinder Tortellini Salad is a flavorful and satisfying dish perfect for warm days or potlucks. It combines tender cheese tortellini with a zesty homemade dressing, crispy bacon, and fresh vegetables for a delightful mix of textures and tastes.

Ingredients

• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
• 1 cup mayonnaise (preferably Hellmann’s)
• 1 tsp dried oregano (or 1 tbsp fresh, finely chopped)
• 1/3 cup drained pepperoncini peppers (thinly sliced or roughly chopped)
• 8 slices cooked crumbled bacon
• 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

1. Step 1: Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Drain the grease and place the bacon on paper towels to absorb excess oil. Once cooled, chop into small pieces and set aside.
2. Step 2: Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the cheese tortellini according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, salt, oregano, Italian herbs, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper. Stir until the dressing is well blended.
4. Step 4: Add the cooled tortellini, pepperoncini peppers, Parmesan cheese, chopped red onion, grape tomatoes, and chopped bacon to the dressing. Gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
5. Step 5: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld. Stir before serving and enjoy.

Tips & Variations

• For a milder onion flavor, finely chop the red onion or soak it briefly in cold water before adding.
• Try substituting pepperoncini peppers with banana peppers or mild pickled jalapeños for a different kick.
• Use fresh herbs if possible for a brighter flavor in the dressing.
• Adding a handful of fresh basil or chopped spinach can add extra freshness and color.

Storage

Store the tortellini salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Before serving, give it a good stir to redistribute the dressing. This salad is best served cold or at room temperature and does not require reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh tortellini instead of frozen?

Yes, fresh tortellini can be used. Just cook it according to package instructions, which often require less cooking time than frozen tortellini. Be sure to cool it completely before mixing it into the salad.

Is this salad suitable for making ahead?

Absolutely. In fact, chilling the salad for at least an hour before serving helps the flavors meld beautifully. Just keep it refrigerated and toss it again before serving.

Fresh Grinder Tortellini Salad Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 116 reviews

This Fresh Grinder Tortellini Salad is a vibrant and flavorful pasta dish combining al dente cheese tortellini, crispy bacon, tangy pepperoncini, fresh grape tomatoes, and red onion, all tossed in a zesty homemade Italian herb and mayonnaise dressing. Perfect as a refreshing side or a light main course, this salad is easy to prepare and improves with chilling, making it ideal for gatherings or meal prep.

• Author: Clara
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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
• 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)
• 8 slices cooked crumbled bacon
• 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

1. Prepare the Bacon: Cook the bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Drain the grease and transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil. Once cooled, chop the bacon into small pieces and set aside.
2. Cook the Cheese Tortellini: Bring a large pot of water to a boil on the stovetop and cook the frozen cheese tortellini according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse the tortellini under cold water to halt cooking. Set aside to cool.
3. Make the Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, salt, dried oregano, Italian herbs, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper. Stir thoroughly until fully blended into a smooth dressing.
4. Assemble the Salad: Add the cooled tortellini, sliced pepperoncini peppers, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped red onion, halved grape tomatoes, and chopped bacon to the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss all ingredients together until they are evenly coated with the dressing.
5. Chill and Serve: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld and the salad to chill. Before serving, stir gently to recombine and plate the tortellini salad. Enjoy!

Notes

• For a milder onion flavor, finely chop the red onion. For more bite, chop coarsely.
• Ensure tortellini is cooked al dente to avoid a mushy salad.
• Adjust crushed red pepper quantity to control salad spiciness.
• Refrigerate for at least one hour for best flavor melding; the salad can be made a day ahead.
• Use high-quality mayonnaise like Hellmann’s for optimal dressing flavor.

Keywords: tortellini salad, bacon pasta salad, Italian salad, cold pasta salad, cheese tortellini, easy summer salad