Classic Italian Cheese Tortellini Pasta Salad

This classic pasta salad features cheesy tortellini tossed with a tangy Italian dressing and a mix of fresh vegetables. It's perfect for picnics, BBQs, or as a side dish for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 1 pound cheese tortellini, cooked according to package instructions and cooled
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup diced bell pepper (red, yellow, or green)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

For the Italian Dressing:

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled cheese tortellini, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, diced bell pepper, and grated Parmesan cheese.

2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until well mixed.

3. Drizzle the Italian dressing over the tortellini mixture and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.

4. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.

5. Once chilled, give the salad a final toss and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.

6. Serve the classic Italian cheese tortellini pasta salad chilled and enjoy!

This classic Italian cheese tortellini pasta salad showcases the flavors of the cheese tortellini along with the freshness of cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and bell pepper. The tangy Italian dressing brings it all together, adding a zesty touch to the dish. Feel free to customize it further by adding any additional veggies or herbs you prefer. Enjoy this salad as a crowd-pleasing side dish or a light main course option.