Fresh Grinder Tortellini Salad Recipe
This Fresh Grinder Tortellini Salad is a flavorful, hearty pasta salad loaded with cheese tortellini, crispy bacon, pepperoncini peppers, grape tomatoes, and a creamy, tangy Italian-inspired dressing. Perfectly chilled and tossed for a satisfying dish ideal for potlucks, picnics, or a delicious side.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Salad
- 1/3 cup drained pepperoncini peppers
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
- 19 oz frozen cheese tortellini
- 8 slices cooked and crumbled bacon
- 1 cup halved grape tomatoes
Instructions
- Prepare the Bacon: Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Drain the grease and transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to remove 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. Add the frozen cheese tortellini and cook according to package instructions, usually around 3-5 minutes until tender. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Set aside to cool.
- Make the Dressing: In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, salt, oregano, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir well until all ingredients are fully incorporated into a smooth dressing.
- Assemble the Salad: To the bowl with the dressing, add the cooled tortellini, pepperoncini peppers, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped red onion, halved grape tomatoes, and chopped bacon. Gently toss everything together until well coated with the dressing.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld and the salad to chill thoroughly. Before serving, stir the salad again and enjoy.
Notes
- Make sure to rinse the tortellini with cold water after boiling to prevent it from becoming mushy.
- You can adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes depending on your preference for spice.
- This salad can be made a day ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator to enhance flavors.
- For a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
- Feel free to add fresh herbs like basil or parsley for added freshness.
Keywords: tortellini salad, cheese tortellini, bacon salad, pasta salad, pepperoncini, Italian dressing, picnic salad, potluck recipe
Find it online: https://nayabaker.com/fresh-grinder-tortellini-salad-recipe/
