This easy vegetarian Garden Veggie Tortellini Pasta Salad is tossed with a flavorful homemade dressing and is sure to vanish quickly at your next party or BBQ! Even better? You can make it in advance!
I’m still straight-up losing my mind over salad weather.
Please tell me you’re ready for more salads because holy COW am I craving them.
As a result, my crisper drawer runneth over with fresh produce. Currently it’s an explosion of peppers that I originally wanted to stuff to the brim with cheesy goodness but have since vetoed anything that involves turning on the oven. Here in Northern Florida the seasons go from chilly Fall amazingness to hotter-than-hades Summer temps practically overnight. One day I’m in leggings and an oversized sweatshirt and the next I’m breaking out the bathing suits and running through my daughters sprinklers like my life depends on it.
Today we’re enjoying the latter!
Since I know for a fact y’all didn’t stop by to listen to me ramble on about the weather or the contents of my fridge, let’s grab life by the peppers and make this crazy colorful pasta salad!
Boasting an impressive 4 cups of veggies, this gorgeous garden salad is a delicious way to amp up your veggie intake for the day!
Garden Veggie Tortellini Pasta Salad
Serving a crowd? Fantastic! The recipe below is easily doubled or tripled as needed and makes a fantastic party/potluck/picnic dish that comes together with very little effort. It’s my go-to for Spring and Summer barbecues!
Garden Veggie Tortellini Pasta Salad
This easy vegetarian Garden Veggie Tortellini Pasta Salad is tossed with a flavorful homemade dressing and is sure to vanish quickly at your next party or BBQ! Even better? You can make it in advance!
Ingredients
- 9 oz fresh cheese tortellini
- 9 oz fresh spinach + cheese tortellini
- 1 green bell pepper
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1/2-1 cup corn (steamed from frozen/fresh or canned)
- 1 heaping cup grape/cherry tomatoes
- 4 oz cheddar cheese cubed
- parsley and/or green onion to garnish (optional but delish!)
Easy Peasy Italian Dressing:
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup white wine vinegar
- 2 TBSP Italian seasoning blend (Mrs. Dash is my favorite!)
- 1/2 TBSP garlic powder plus extra to taste
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a medium-large pot to boil over high heat and cook tortellini per package instructions.
- Tortellini Tip: when cooking fresh chilled ravioli, start with a rolling boil on high, add pasta, then decrease heat to medium-low simmer to prevent pasta breakage.
- While your pasta cooks, whisk together your dressing by combining the ingredients and whisk (or pop it in a mason jar and shake) until well combined. Ingredients will separate naturally, simply whisk/shake again before pouring and you're good to go!
- Chop your peppers and tomatoes and prep your corn. If using canned corn, simply drain and rinse. Fresh or frozen will require a quick steam and you're good to go!
- Once tortellini is tender and al-dente, strain in a colander and rinse briefly with cold water. Pour into a large bowl and add your veggies, cheese, parsley.
- Stir or shake dressing well and pour HALF the dressing over your salad. Cover and allow to chill. This step allows your pasta and veggies to soak up some of the delicious flavor from the dressing which almost acts as a marinade here.
- Ready to eat? Drizzle a little extra dressing over the salad (both will keep in an airtight container for approx. 4 days) and give it a taste. Add extra if desired or dive right in!
Recipe Notes
Any Italian seasoning blend may be used here, you can even make your own! but keep in mind if your blend already includes salt (mine doesn't) you'll want to skip adding the salt in this recipe until you've tasted the dressing.
I used a combination of Cabot white cheddar and sharp cheddar, but feel free to use your favorite cheese for this salad! It also works great with a sprinkle of Parmesan!
If you're making this salad to serve the following day (the leftovers are amazing!) feel free e to follow my lead and reserve dressing for drizzling later.
Nutrition facts below are an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. Values calculated pre-dressing. Depending on whether you use the recipe above or your own dressing; adjust as needed.
:: pin it for later ::
If you get a chance to try this tasty garden veggie tortellini pasta salad let me know! You can leave me a comment here (love checking those daily!) or tag @peasandcrayons #peasandcrayons on Instagram so I can happy dance over your creation! Can’t wait!
In serious need of some Seasonal salads?
Check out my round-up of 20 Easy Healthy Salad Recipes!
Gloria Timmons
Hi, I made this salad for a get together last month. It was a big hit. So delicious! I’m making it again soon for another get together this month. I think I will have to double the recipe this time. Thank you so much.
Jenn
Thank you Gloria! I’m so glad you enjoyed it and that it’ll be making repeat status in your kitchen 🙂 Totally makes my day!
Sandi G
This looks like the perfect salad for a cookout!
Jenn
Thank you Sandi!
Meghan | Fox and Briar
Love all of these crisp summer veggies! This is totally my kind of hot weather dinner!
Erin @ The Speckled Palate
Salad weather makes me so happy, too, and my goodness, is this perfect for the summer we’re having! I love the addition of the tortellini – different and delish! – and I have a feeling my fam is gonna adore this!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate
This is such a beautiful salad that’s perfect for the hoooooot weather! I love that it’s delicious and pretty, too 🙂
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious
How do you make a delicious bowl of fresh garden veggies even better? You add tortellini! This is now on the to-do list!
Jen
I’m right there with you about wanting to avoid turning on the oven at all costs! Give me all the salad recipes you’ve got, lol! This one is perfection!!
Lisa | Garlic & Zest
You think it’s hot in Northern Florida? Try South Florida. You’re either inside with the a/c cranked or outside wearing as little as possible, ducking into the shade and praying for a breeze. I know all about salads this time of year — and this one sounds like the perfect blend of healthy and indulgent.
Jenn
I was raised in South Florida, silly! Lived there nearly all my life and I’m *semi* over living in this state where my face melts off year round 😉 haha!
Tina Dawson | Love is in my Tummy
Pasta salads are my absolute favorite, but I’ve never tried it with tortellini… now I’ll have to give this one a try!
Jenn
Tina, you’re gonna love it! Tortellini in pasta salads is nothing short of magical 🙂
Edyta @ Innocent Delight
This salad looks amazing! Great photos. I love the addition of the cheese.
Jenn
Thank you thank you!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor
The perfect side dish for summer! I know that I will be making this soon.
Jenn
Can’t wait for you to try it, Ashley!
Kelly @ trial and eater
Ooo this is definitely perfect for summer! So colorful, easy and refreshing. Pinned!
Jenn
Thanks Kelly! Totally a Summer vibes kind of salad!
Vicky
Since I was feeding 10, I added an extra container or tortellini and increased all the other ingredients. I used a half English cucumber, finely minced purple onion, and parmesan cheese.. I wanted to add fresh spinach, but there was no room at the inn. I had a few BLT’s[Bites, Licks, and Tastes] and it should be a hit with marinated and grilled pork tenderloin. Pinned and thank you!
Jenn
I’m so glad you’re loving it so far and I hope it was a hit with your family/guests too! Thank you Vicky! Also LOL at the BLT’s – love it!
Angelina
We love tortellini, so this was a nice salad. I used (frozen & thawed) peas & carrots instead of corn. Also, I didn’t go through the trouble of making the salad dressing. I used my ‘go to’ Italian dressing….”Wishbone Light Italian Salad Dressing”. It was fantastic!
Amy
This looks so amazing! I love pasta salads. Summer is coming and salads make for a perfect side for a BBQ!
Jenn
Thank you Amy! We basically live off of pasta salads some hot summer weeks! 🙂
Erin @ burdenfreecaregiving.com
This recipe is so fresh and beautiful for Spring. Lovely pictures. The whole family can enjoy this one. This one is a keeper. ????
Jenn
Thank you Erin!! 🙂
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