This tasty Spinach Tortellini Salad features tender cheese tortellini, juicy tomatoes, fresh baby spinach, zesty red onion, and creamy feta cheese with simple and speedy Italian dressing. This easy pasta salad is perfect for summer potlucks and barbecues!
How much spinach is too much spinach?
#ASKINGFORAFRIEND
But seriously though, am I alone in my current spinach obsession or are y’all still scarfing it alongside me?
Whether it’s lightly dressed in a healthy spinach salad or wilted into cozy soups, casseroles, and pasta dishes galore, I’m all about it! I also love it in omelettes and dips too… This green goodness is oh so versatile!
If you’re still with me on this, then get excited! Today we’re letting tortellini in on the fun with this easy Spinach Tortellini Salad. This pretty pasta salad is loaded with veggie goodness and ready to rock your plate!
Tortellini Salad Ingredients
- fresh baby spinach
- refrigerated cheese tortellini
- cherry tomatoes
- red onion
- crumbled feta (optional but oh so tasty!)
I kept the ingredients super duper simple for this salad but feel free to use it as a base recipe and add all the optional extras your veggie-loving heart desires!
Easy Pasta Salad Dressing Recipe
- 2 cloves fresh garlic
- 1 lemon, juiced
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 TBSP red wine vinegar
- 1-2 tsp Italian seasoning blend (Mrs. Dash is my favorite) plus any extra to taste
- salt and pepper to taste
Craving a creamy dressing? Try mashing and blending some crumbled feta into the dressing. It’s delicious both ways!
Optional Extra Veggies
- pickled banana peppers or sweet mini peppers
- chopped bell pepper
- sweet corn
- sliced olives
- shredded carrots
- fresh basil or parsley
- chopped avocado
MORE MARVELOUS MIX-INS
Get creative and make a crave-worthy pasta salad with all your favorite add-ins! Sliced turkey, ham, salami, pepperoni, or shredded rotissere chicken are always a hit with the T-rex crowd.
You can give your spinach pasta salad a caprese vibe by adding mozzarella balls or pears in place of the feta and adding some fresh basil and a drizzle of balsamic. YUM!
Salad Serving Suggestions
Tortellini salad is a fantastic potluck side dish to bring to parties, barbecues, and gatherings galore! It also works as a make-ahead side to serve with dinner during busy weeknights. It can be served alongside your protein of choice, Veggie Burgers, or as part of a sandwich and salad combo with a Garden Veggie Chickpea Salad Sandwich or my Ultimate Veggie Sandwich.
Spinach Tortellini Salad
This rockin’ recipe yields 6 side dish sized servings or 3-4 larger portions I love pairing it with half a sandwich or a homemade veggie burger.
Spinach Tortellini Salad
Ingredients
- 9-10 oz refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 1-2 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- ¼ cup sliced red onion
- ¼-⅓ cup crumbled feta or mozzarella balls
Easy Pasta Salad Dressing
- 2 cloves fresh garlic
- 1 lemon (juiced)
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 TBSP red wine vinegar
- 1-2 tsp Italian seasoning blend (Mrs. Dash is my favorite)
- salt and pepper to taste
Optional Extras
- pickled banana peppers
- chopped bell pepper
- sweet corn
- sliced olives
- shredded carrots
- fresh basil or parsley
- chopped avocado
Instructions
- Cook tortellini via package instructions, typically 3 minutes until tender. Drain and rinse briefly with cold water. Transfer to a large bowl.
- Next make the dressing. Lastly, peel and smash one small-medium clove of garlic. Finely mince and add to a bowl with oil, vinegar, lemon juice, Italian seasoning blend, and salt and pepper. Whisk to combine and set aside.
- Craving a creamy dressing? Try mashing and blending some crumbled feta into the dressing – it's delicious!
- For less bite/sharpness in your red onion (but all the tasty flavor) add your sliced red onion to the dressing bowl and allow to marinate while you prep the remaining ingredients. I love doing this!
- Slice cherry tomatoes in half and add to the pasta bowl along with spinach and onion.
- Whisk together dressing once more and pour over salad. Mix well and season with any additional spices desired, to taste, along with the feta cheese. You can chill the salad first before diving in or dig in right away if preferred! I love it both ways. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Leftovers and Storage
Leftover spinach tortellini salad can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to develop as the salad sits in the fridge as the dressing soaks into the pasta and veggies. This salad can be enjoyed cold or brought to room temperature first.
Can I make this tortellini salad in advance?
You can absolutely prep this salad ahead of time!
If you’re making it to serve at a party or potluck you can make it a few hours in advance or even the night before. I usually make a little extra dressing to keep on the side and mix into the salad just before serving as the pasta tends to soak it up.
What kind of tortellini should I use?
There are three types of tortellini you can purchase readily made: fresh, frozen, and dried.
For a fresh pasta salad like this, I find that the fresh refrigerated tortellini (usually found near the chilled sauces and cheeses in the grocery store) works best and has the ideal flavor/texture.
As for the filling/type of tortellini, anything goes! I used plain cheese but there are so many delicious filling options. Here are a few options you can try
For vegetarians, stick with four-cheese, ricotta, spinach, or any other veggie friendly variety. Omnivores can choose the veggie option or try chicken and prosciutto tortellini, chicken and garlic tortellini, or sweet Italian sausage tortellini as well.
More Scrumptious Spinach Recipes to Try
- NEW! Apple Spinach Salad with Candied Pecans and Feta
- 22 Fresh Spinach Recipes
- Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Flatbread Pizzas
- Spinach Pasta Salad with Feta and Tomato
- Spinach and Avocado Grilled Cheese
If you get a chance to try this spinach tortellini salad recipe, let me know!
You can leave me a comment here (LOVE checking those daily!) or tag @PEASandCRAYONS on Instagram so I can happy dance over your creations. I can’t wait to see what you whip up!
I’m always looking for new salad ideas. This was unique and delicious! The dressing was so good.
This salad is always a hit. I bring it to summer potlucks and everyone loves it.
Yay!! Thanks Ashley!
Bookmarked to make this weekend!
I’m so excited for you to try it!