Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! You can make this a day in advance. Just give it a good stir before serving, and if it looks a little dry, drizzle on a bit more olive oil to freshen it up.

Should I rinse the tortellini after cooking?

Yes, rinse the tortellini under cold water after boiling to stop the cooking and cool it down. That way, it won't get mushy or steam the other ingredients.

Do I have to use mozzarella pearls?

No! You can use any fresh mozzarella, just cut it into bite-sized pieces. Or skip it altogether or swap it for provolone or shredded parmesan.

Can I serve this warm instead of cold?

You can! It's usually served cold or room temp, but if you toss it all together while the tortellini is still warm, it's kind of delicious and feels more like dinner than a side dish.

What if I don't like one of the ingredients?

Leave it out. This recipe is super flexible. Skip the artichokes, swap the salami for chickpeas, or whatever makes you actually want to eat it.

Antipasto Tortellini Salad

Description

I’ve been making this Antipasto Tortellini Salad a lot lately. It’s salty, tangy, and full of things I actually want to eat, but it still feels light. Perfect for a quick dinner or bringing to a BBQ.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad

9 ounces fresh cheese tortellini
4 ounces Genoa salami, chopped
4 ounces mozzarella pearls, drained
½ cup chopped artichoke hearts (jarred or canned, drained)
½ cup cherry or grape tomatoes, quartered
¼ cup sliced jarred pepperoncini
¼ cup chopped roasted red pepper
fresh basil, for serving (optional)

Dressing

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon honey
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
pinch of sea salt (optional)

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Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the tortellini according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water until cooled, about 1-2 minutes.
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, honey, and Italian seasoning. Add a pinch of salt, if desired.
In a large bowl, toss the tortellini, salami, mozzarella, artichoke, tomatoes, pepperoncini, and roasted red peppers until combined. Drizzle the dressing over the top and toss one more time until evenly coated.
Serve cold or at room temperature. Enjoy!