easy Italian chopped salad recipe with tortellini!

Simply put, you NEED to make this easy Italian chopped salad with tortellini!

pasta salad gets a MAJOR upgrade!

I was never one for pasta salad – how about you? I think it’s because of the lackluster options I was exposed to growing up. Options seemed to be limited to two: that mayo-laden macaroni salad OR that vinaigrette-laden tri-color (so fancy back then!) salad that inexplicably ALWAYS had black olives (meh).

Those negative associations clearly left their mark, as in the 12+ years I’ve been sharing recipes here there is nary a pasta salad to be found (with the exception of this one).

what is Italian chopped salad with tortellini?

Think pasta salad meets chopped salad and you’ll get the picture. You’ll take your basic chopped salad components (more on that, below) and combine them with tortellini and a killer homemade dressing – WINNING!

what ingredients do you need?

You’ve got a lot of leeway here, so use this list as a jumping off point, based on your likes or even what you have on-hand:

red wine vinegar
oregano
garlic
lemon
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
extra virgin olive oil
cheese tortellini
red onion
cherry tomatoes (or grape tomatoes)
chickpeas
provolone
salami
pepperoncini
marinated artichoke hearts
basil

how do you make it?

As the name implies, chopped salad involves, well, some chopping! But you’re left with a bowlful of ready-to-eat ingredients that only require a fork – and you get a different combination in every bite!

The simple homemade Italian dressing is so good and so easy – just whisk it up and store in a mason jar till ready to use.

Cook the tortellini till al dente and rinse in cold water. Chop up the rest of your salad ingredients, add the tortellini and mix with the dressing. Keep in the fridge till ready to serve!

I’ve got a few tips for you!

In addition to this delicious recipe, I’m sharing a few of my favorite cooking tips too! For most of us, raw onion is a bit on the strong side. By soaking the slices in ice water while you prepare the recipe, that “bite” is mellowed significantly. I love this tip!

And when using grape or cherry tomatoes I like to place the halves, cut sides up, on a paper towel-lined baking sheet and season with kosher salt. In addition to flavoring the tomatoes, the salt draws out moisture, which helps them hold up beautifully in the salad!

can you make this pasta salad recipe in advance?

Absolutely! In fact, I think this Italian pasta salad tastes even better as it sits. If you’re making it ahead of time I’d add only half the dressing, as the pasta absorbs a lot of it as it sits. Just before serving add the rest of the dressing and toss to combine.

​this is possibly one of the most versatile recipes you can make!

Of course I think this recipe is delicious as written. But you can honestly make as many substitutions as you like and it will turn out great. Here are just some of the ways you can switch this cold tortellini pasta salad up:

• use spinach tortellini in place of cheese
• add in fresh mozzarella balls (so good!), feta cheese or parmesan cheese
• toss in your favorite fresh vegetables – bell peppers, green onions, mushrooms, baby spinach
• add sun-dried tomatoes, any fresh herbs or toasted pine nuts. Okay, even black olives or green olives OR Kalamata olives (if you must!)
• swap out red wine vinegar for balsamic vinegar, and/or add a spoonful of Dijon mustard
• while this dressing is truly so easy, make things even easier by grabbing a bottle of your favorite store-bought Italian dressing at the grocery store

You get the picture!

And while summer is officially over, the craziness of the holiday season requires weeknight recipes that are fast, easy and can be made in advance. Let me know if you try it!

Easy Italian Chopped Salad Recipe with Tortellini

sherisilver

Pasta salad gets a major upgrade with this easy, delicious, do-ahead recipe!

5 from 3 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Main Course, Salad

Servings 4

Calories 904 kcal

Equipment

• pyrex measuring cup
• whisk
• lemon squeezer
• pasta pot

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

For the dressing:

• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 lemon
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

For the salad:

• 16 ounces cheese tortellini
• 1/2 small red onion
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved and placed on a paper towel-lined baking sheet
• kosher salt and pepper
• 1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1/4 pound provolone, 1/4″ thick and cut into cubes
• 1/4 pound Genoa salami, 1/4″ thick and cut into cubes
• 5 pepperoncini, cut into thin slices
• 1 cup marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Instructions

 

Make the dressing:

• Whisk together the vinegar, oregano, garlic the juice from the lemon, salt and pepper. While whisking constantly, add the olive oil in a steady stream, whisking till emulsified. Set aside.

Make the salad:

• Cook the tortellini till al dente. Drain and place in a large bowl, tossing with a little bit of the dressing to keep the tortellini from sticking together.
• Thinly slice the onion and place in a bowl of ice water. Set aside while you prepare the rest of the recipe.
• Season the tomatoes with salt. Let sit while you prepare the rest of the recipe.
• Place the chickpeas, provolone, salami, pepperoncini and artichoke hearts in the bowl along with the tortellini. Drain the onions, pat dry and add to the salad. Add the tomatoes to the bowl, pour in half of the dressing and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. When ready to serve add the remaining dressing and toss again. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve, garnished with basil leaves.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 904kcalCarbohydrates: 63gProtein: 33gFat: 59gSaturated Fat: 16gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 26gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 1691mgPotassium: 512mgFiber: 8gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 1394IUVitamin C: 63mgCalcium: 431mgIron: 5mg

Keywords chopped salad, pasta, pasta salad, tortellini

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