Description
This Pepperoni Pasta Salad is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for gatherings or a refreshing meal. Featuring tender cheese tortellini combined with fresh mozzarella, zesty pepperoni, juicy cherry tomatoes, and aromatic basil, all tossed in a tangy Italian dressing, it offers a delicious blend of textures and flavors that come together in just 20 minutes. Serve chilled for a delightful, easy-to-make pasta salad.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 20-ounce package refrigerated cheese tortellini
Salad Mix-Ins
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella, cubed
- 1 cup pepperoni, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- â…“ cup fresh basil, chopped
Dressing
- 2/3 cup Italian salad dressing
Instructions
- Cook the tortellini: Prepare the cheese tortellini according to package instructions, typically boiling until tender. Once cooked, drain the tortellini and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool them down. Allow them to drain completely to avoid excess moisture in the salad.
- Combine the ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooled tortellini with cubed fresh mozzarella, chopped pepperoni, halved cherry tomatoes, and chopped fresh basil. This mix offers a balance of creamy, savory, and fresh flavors.
- Add dressing and toss: Pour the Italian salad dressing evenly over the tortellini mixture. Toss thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are well coated with the dressing, enhancing the salad’s flavor.
- Chill before serving: Refrigerate the assembled pasta salad for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld and the salad chill. Serve cold for best taste and texture.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, use pepperoni with added chili or substitute with spicy salami.
- Fresh mozzarella can be replaced with bocconcini or small mozzarella balls.
- You can add black olives or sliced red onions for extra flavor variation.
- Make sure to thoroughly drain the pasta to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
- This salad can be prepared a day in advance and keeps well refrigerated.
