Fresh Grinder Tortellini Salad Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
