Fresh Grinder Tortellini Salad Recipe
A flavorful and hearty Fresh Grinder Tortellini Salad combining tender cheese tortellini with crispy bacon, tangy pepperoncini, fresh grape tomatoes, and a zesty homemade mayo-based dressing for a perfect chilled pasta salad.
- 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
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 slices 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 on the stovetop. Add the frozen cheese tortellini and cook according to the package instructions until tender. Drain the tortellini and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process, then set aside to cool.
- Make the Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, salt, oregano, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir thoroughly until the dressing is smooth and fully blended.
- Assemble the Salad: Add the cooked and cooled tortellini to the bowl with the dressing. Incorporate the drained pepperoncini peppers, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped red onion, halved grape tomatoes, and chopped bacon. Gently toss all ingredients together until evenly coated.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the salad bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill. Before serving, stir the salad again, then plate and enjoy.
Notes
- Make sure to rinse the cooked tortellini with cold water to prevent it from becoming mushy and to help it cool faster.
- The salad can be prepared a day ahead for enhanced flavor.
- For a spicier kick, add more crushed red pepper flakes or a splash of pepperoncini juice.
- Use good quality Parmesan for the best taste balance in the salad.
Keywords: tortellini salad, bacon tortellini, pasta salad, Italian salad, chilled salad, cheese tortellini, easy dinner salad
Find it online: https://cookwithruby.com/fresh-grinder-tortellini-salad-recipe/
