Italian Grinder Tortellini Salad Recipe
This Italian Grinder Tortellini Salad is a flavorful, hearty pasta salad combining cheese tortellini with a zesty homemade dressing, tangy pepperoncini, savory Italian meats, fresh vegetables, and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Perfectly chilled and tossed for maximum flavor, it makes a delightful cold dish for picnics, potlucks, or a satisfying lunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (to cook tortellini)
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- ¾ cup (174 g) mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Salad
- 19 ounces cheese tortellini, cooked according to package instructions, then cooled
- ⅓ cup pepperoncini, drained and chopped
- ⅓ cup (33 g) parmesan cheese, grated
- ½ medium red onion, diced
- 1 cup (180 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup (237 g) sliced pepperoni, chopped
- 1 cup (237 g) sliced salami, chopped
- 1 cup (135 g) deli ham, chopped
Instructions
- Whisk dressing ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, black pepper, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, and kosher salt. Whisk thoroughly until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
- Add cooked tortellini to dressing: Incorporate the cooked and cooled cheese tortellini into the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss the tortellini so that each piece is evenly coated.
- Add pepperoncini, parmesan, onion, tomatoes, and meats: To the bowl, add drained chopped pepperoncini, grated parmesan cheese, diced red onion, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped pepperoni, chopped salami, and chopped deli ham. Distribute all ingredients evenly.
- Toss everything together: Using a large spoon or rubber spatula, gently fold and toss all the ingredients until well mixed and the tortellini is fully coated with the dressing and combined with the other ingredients.
- Cover bowl and chill: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a lid. Refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour to chill thoroughly and allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve cold: Before serving, stir the salad once more to refresh the dressing mix. Serve chilled as a refreshing and flavorful pasta salad.
Notes
- Ensure tortellini is completely cooled before mixing to prevent dressing from melting or becoming oily.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to taste for desired spiciness level.
- This salad can be made a day ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator to enhance flavor.
- Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for the best texture and flavor.
- Feel free to substitute meats or omit for a vegetarian version (adjust diet label accordingly).
Keywords: Italian tortellini salad, cheese tortellini salad, cold pasta salad, Italian deli meat salad, summer pasta salad, easy pasta salad recipe
