If you are looking for the best cold pasta salad recipe for summer, this Marry Me Tortellini Salad is it. Think of everything you love about a creamy pasta dish and turn it into a refreshing, crowd-pleasing salad. This is a tortellini salad that people will ask you to make again and again. It is rich but still light enough for hot days, easy to make in under 30 minutes, and perfect for potlucks, cookouts, or an easy dinner.
This recipe takes cheese-filled tortellini and tosses it in a dressing made with mascarpone, Pecorino Romano, sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, and red wine vinegar. Add in some mortadella for salty richness, spinach for freshness, and basil for brightness, and you get a cold pasta salad that is creamy, savory, and so flavorful. It is one of those easy pasta salad recipes that feels like comfort food but also works beautifully as a side dish for summer gatherings.
Why You Will Love This Tortellini Salad
- This is the ultimate creamy pasta salad recipe with a tangy, cheesy dressing.
- The salad is served cold, which makes it the best summer pasta salad for cookouts and picnics.
- It is quick and easy to make with simple ingredients.
- It pairs with grilled chicken, shrimp, steak, or can be served on its own as a light meal.
Ingredients for Marry Me Tortellini Salad
- Cheese tortellini
- Mascarpone cheese
- Pecorino Romano
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Olive oil
- Red wine vinegar
- Fresh basil
- Spinach
- Mortadella
- Pasta water, salt, black pepper
How to Make This Cold Pasta Salad
Cook the tortellini until al dente, then drain and cool. In a blender or food processor, combine mascarpone, Pecorino Romano, sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, red wine vinegar, and a splash of pasta water until smooth and creamy. Toss the dressing with the tortellini, spinach, and basil. Add in chopped mortadella for extra flavor. Finish with more Pecorino and freshly cracked black pepper. Chill in the fridge or serve right away.
This is an easy pasta salad recipe that tastes better the longer it sits, which makes it perfect for meal prep, make-ahead lunches, or summer parties.
Marry Me Tortellini Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb cooked spinach and cheese tortellini cooled
- 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
- 1/3 cup Pecorino Romano cheese grated
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes finely chopped
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
- 1/2 cup chopped mortadella
- 1 bunch basil chopped
- Additional Pecorino Romano and black pepper for garnish
Directions
- Cook the tortellini: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the tortellini to the boiling water. Cook according to the package instructions, usually 2-3 minutes for fresh tortellini or 8-10 minutes for dried tortellini, until they float to the surface and are tender. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water before draining. Drain the tortellini and let it cool down.
- Prepare the Dressing (I do this while the water is heating) On a cutting board, chop the mascarpone, pecorino, sun dried tomatoes, a pinch of salt and pepper and 2 tbsp of olive oil. Mash it together with a knife to form a rough paste.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the mashed cheese and tomato mixture. Pour in 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar. Add the reserved pasta water gradually, stirring constantly until the dressing is smooth and well combined. Add the additional 2 tbsp of olive oil and whisk together. Adjust salt and pepper to taste and add additional red wine vinegar for extra zinginess if preferred.
- Assemble the salad! Add the cooled tortellini to the bowl with the dressing. Toss to coat the tortellini evenly with the dressing. Fold in the chopped mortadella and fresh basil leaves. Add some more pecorino Romano to taste. Top with basil, pecorino and pepper. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
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