Bacon Tortellini Salad Recipe
This flavorful Tortellini Salad combines tender cheese tortellini with a zesty homemade dressing, crispy bacon, pepperoncini peppers, grape tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese, making it a perfect chilled pasta salad for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 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
- 19 oz frozen cheese tortellini
- 1/3 cup drained pepperoncini peppers
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
- 1 cup halved grape tomatoes
- 8 slices cooked and crumbled bacon
Instructions
- Prepare the Bacon: Start by cooking the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until it’s crispy. Once cooked, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess grease. Chop the bacon into small pieces and set aside for later use.
- Cook the Cheese Tortellini: Bring a large pot of water to a boil on the stove. Add the frozen cheese tortellini and cook according to the package directions, typically about 3-5 minutes until tender. Drain the tortellini and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool.
- Make the Dressing: In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, salt, oregano, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper flakes. Whisk thoroughly until the dressing is smooth and well blended.
- Assemble the Salad: Add the cooked and cooled tortellini to the bowl with the dressing. Add drained pepperoncini peppers, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped red onion, halved grape tomatoes, and crumbled bacon. Gently toss all ingredients together until everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill. Before serving, give it a good stir, then plate and enjoy your delicious bacon tortellini salad.
Notes
- For best flavor, let the salad chill overnight if possible.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best taste and texture.
- You can substitute turkey bacon for a lighter option.
- If you prefer a spicier salad, add additional crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
- This salad keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: tortellini salad, pasta salad, bacon tortellini salad, cheese tortellini, cold pasta salad, Italian salad, easy pasta salad
Find it online: https://dailysimplerecipe.com/bacon-tortellini-salad-recipe/
