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I created this Quick Tortellini Salad during a scorching summer day when I needed something light but satisfying. The combination of tender cheese filled pasta bright tomatoes and marinated mozzarella has become my go to for everything from lazy afternoons to backyard parties. The best part? It comes together in five minutes and tastes like summer in every bite.
The Perfect No Fuss Summer Dish
This salad saves me on those hot days when turning on the stove feels impossible. Its truly a throw together dish that somehow tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. I love making a big batch for easy lunches throughout the week or bringing it to potlucks where it always disappears first. The flavors actually get better after a day in the fridge making it my favorite make ahead meal.
Grab These Ingredients
- Tortellini: 16 ounces fresh cheese filled tortellini they cook up perfectly tender.
- Marinated Mozzarella: 8 ounces of those lovely herby mozzarella balls with their flavorful oil.
- Salami: 4 ounces diced Italian salami adds the perfect salty bite.
- Grape Tomatoes: 1 pint halved for bursts of sweetness.
- Basil: ½ cup fresh leaves torn into pieces.
- Salt: Just a good pinch to make everything pop.
Lets Put It Together
- Start With Your Pasta
- Get your water boiling nice and salty cook those tortellini until theyre just tender about 3 minutes for fresh ones then drain and let them cool completely in a big bowl.
- Add All The Goodies
- Toss in your marinated mozzarella with all that tasty oil the diced salami halved tomatoes and torn basil. Add a pinch of salt to bring it all together.
- Give It A Gentle Mix
- Fold everything together carefully you want each bite to have a little bit of everything.
- Time To Enjoy
- Dig in right away or pop it in the fridge for a few hours to let those flavors get even better.
Switch Things Up
Feel free to play around with this recipe. Sometimes I swap in pepperoni or prosciutto instead of salami. Adding crunchy bell peppers cucumbers or olives creates wonderful texture. For my vegetarian friends I skip the meat and add extra veggies or some toasted pine nuts.
Make It Last
This beauty keeps wonderfully in the fridge for about 4 days. When meal prepping I usually cook the tortellini ahead then toss everything together when Im ready to eat. That lovely oil from the mozzarella keeps everything from drying out and adds so much flavor.
Perfect Partners
We love this alongside grilled chicken or a thick slice of garlic bread. Its amazing next to a green salad or some fresh fruit. Pour yourself a cold glass of Pinot Grigio or sparkling lemonade and youve got the perfect summer meal.
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My Best Tips
Always salt your pasta water generously it makes such a difference in flavor. Let those tortellini cool completely before mixing everything else in hot pasta will make your basil sad. And dont forget to use all that wonderful oil from the mozzarella it turns into the most amazing dressing.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How long will this salad keep in the fridge?
- This salad stays fresh for 3-4 days in the fridge. The oil-based dressing helps keep the pasta from drying out. Give it a quick toss before serving to redistribute the dressing.
- → What kind of tortellini works best?
- Any cheese-filled tortellini works great in this recipe. Fresh or frozen tortellini both work well, just follow the package cooking instructions. Choose larger tortellini for a heartier salad.
- → Can I make this vegetarian?
- You can easily skip the salami for a vegetarian version. Try adding some olives or roasted red peppers instead for extra flavor. The marinated mozzarella provides plenty of taste.
- → Should I serve this hot or cold?
- This salad is best served cold or at room temperature. If you make it ahead and refrigerate it, let it sit out for 15-20 minutes before serving to take the chill off.
- → What can I add to this salad?
- This salad is very flexible. Try adding black olives, cucumber chunks, red onion, or bell peppers. Fresh herbs like oregano or parsley also work well alongside the basil.