Tortellini Pasta Salad – Pork-Free & Packed with Flavor

A vibrant, hearty pasta salad loaded with cheese tortellini, fresh veggies, turkey salami, and a tangy Dijon vinaigrette—perfect for easy lunches or summer gatherings.

🎉 Introduction

This Tortellini Pasta Salad is a deliciously colorful and satisfying dish that’s free from pork but full of flavor. With cheesy tortellini, crisp vegetables, turkey salami, and a zesty vinaigrette, it’s perfect for meal prep, potlucks, or light dinners. Easy to toss together and even easier to enjoy! 🌿🍅🧀

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Large mixing bowl
• Saucepan for tortellini
• Colander
• Cutting board & knife
• Whisk and small bowl (for dressing)
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Tongs or salad servers

🛒 Ingredients

🥟 Pasta & Meat

• 20 oz cheese tortellini (refrigerated or fresh)
• ½ cup turkey salami (or turkey pepperoni), sliced

🌿 Veggies & Herbs

• 2 cups baby spinach or arugula
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cucumber, diced
• ½ red onion, thinly sliced
• ¼ cup fresh basil, thinly sliced

🫒 Add-ons

• 1 cup pitted Kalamata olives
• 1 cup fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), halved
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

🥗 Dressing

• ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup red wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 clove garlic, minced (or pressed)
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• Salt & pepper to taste

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Cook the Tortellini

1. Boil tortellini according to package instructions until al dente.
2. Drain and rinse under cold water. Let cool.

Step 2: Prepare the Dressing

1. Whisk olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper until emulsified.

Step 3: Assemble the Salad

1. In a large bowl, combine cooled tortellini, turkey salami, spinach/arugula, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, basil, olives, and mozzarella.
2. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat.
3. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan and serve, or chill for 30 minutes for peak flavor.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 6–8
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Chill Time: Optional 30 minutes
• Total Time: ~25–45 minutes

🥄 Variations

• Vegetarian Version: Omit turkey salami; add extra cheese or chickpeas
• Spicy Kick: Swap Dijon for spicy mustard or add chili flakes
• Greens Swap: Use kale, mixed greens, or romaine instead
• Healthier Swap: Replace tortellini with whole-wheat pasta or orzo
• Crunch Addition: Add toasted pine nuts or sunflower seeds

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Refrigerator: Store in airtight container up to 4 days
• Make-Ahead Tip: Chill separately and toss dressing just before serving to maintain freshness

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Is this recipe really pork-free?
   Yes! Using turkey salami ensures it’s fully pork-free.
2. Can I make this ahead?
   Absolutely—make the night before and toss with fresh dressing before serving.
3. Can I use other pasta shapes?
   Sure—mini shells, fusilli, or orzo works great.
4. Can I freeze leftovers?
   Not recommended—best enjoyed fresh.
5. Can I add grilled chicken?
   Yes—great for extra protein.
6. Can I omit olives?
   Of course—try roasted red peppers or artichoke hearts instead.
7. How spicy is this?
   It’s mild—adjust mustard or add chili to spice it up.
8. Is it gluten-free?
   Use gluten-free tortellini to make it gluten-free.
9. Can I use flavored salami?
   Yes—smoked turkey salami adds a nice twist.
10. What to serve alongside?
    Serve with garlic bread, grilled veggies, or a simple green salad.

🏁 Conclusion

This Tortellini Pasta Salad is a flavorful, pork-free delight—perfect for summer gatherings, easy lunches, or meal prepping. With creamy tortellini, fresh veggies, turkey salami, and zesty dressing, it’s a dish everyone will go back for seconds. Give it a try and enjoy the burst of colors and flavors! 🥗✨

Tortellini Pasta Salad – Pork-Free & Packed with Flavor

Adam

A vibrant, hearty pasta salad loaded with cheese tortellini, fresh veggies, turkey salami, and a tangy Dijon vinaigrette—perfect for easy lunches or summer gatherings.🎉 Introduction This Tortellini Pasta Salad is a deliciously colorful and satisfying dish that’s free from pork but full of flavor. With cheesy tortellini, crisp vegetables, turkey salami, and a zesty vinaigrette, it’s perfect for meal prep, potlucks, or light dinners. Easy to toss together and even easier to enjoy! 🌿🍅🧀

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Chill Time: Optional 10 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings 6 servings

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Saucepan for tortellini
• Colander
• Cutting board & knife
• Whisk and small bowl (for dressing)
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Tongs or salad servers

Ingredients

  

🥟 Pasta & Meat

• 20  oz cheese tortellini refrigerated or fresh
• ½  cup turkey salami or turkey pepperoni, sliced

🌿 Veggies & Herbs

• 2  cups baby spinach or arugula
• 1  pint cherry tomatoes halved
• 1  cucumber diced
• ½  red onion thinly sliced
• ¼  cup fresh basil thinly sliced

🫒 Add-ons

• 1  cup pitted Kalamata olives
• 1  cup fresh mozzarella balls bocconcini, halved
• ½  cup grated Parmesan cheese

🥗 Dressing

• ½  cup extra-virgin olive oil
• ¼  cup red wine vinegar
• 1  tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1  tsp honey
• 1  clove garlic minced (or pressed)
• ½  tsp dried oregano
• Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

 

Step 1: Cook the Tortellini

• Boil tortellini according to package instructions until al dente.
• Drain and rinse under cold water. Let cool.

Step 2: Prepare the Dressing

• Whisk olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper until emulsified.

Step 3: Assemble the Salad

• In a large bowl, combine cooled tortellini, turkey salami, spinach/arugula, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, basil, olives, and mozzarella.
• Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat.
• Sprinkle with grated Parmesan and serve, or chill for 30 minutes for peak flavor.

Notes

🥄 Variations
Vegetarian Version: Omit turkey salami; add extra cheese or chickpeas

Spicy Kick: Swap Dijon for spicy mustard or add chili flakes

Greens Swap: Use kale, mixed greens, or romaine instead

Healthier Swap: Replace tortellini with whole-wheat pasta or orzo

Crunch Addition: Add toasted pine nuts or sunflower seeds

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator: Store in airtight container up to 4 days

Make-Ahead Tip: Chill separately and toss dressing just before serving to maintain freshness

❓ 10 FAQs
Is this recipe really pork-free?
Yes! Using turkey salami ensures it’s fully pork-free.

Can I make this ahead?
Absolutely—make the night before and toss with fresh dressing before serving.

Can I use other pasta shapes?
Sure—mini shells, fusilli, or orzo works great.

Can I freeze leftovers?
Not recommended—best enjoyed fresh.

Can I add grilled chicken?
Yes—great for extra protein.

Can I omit olives?
Of course—try roasted red peppers or artichoke hearts instead.

How spicy is this?
It’s mild—adjust mustard or add chili to spice it up.

Is it gluten-free?
Use gluten-free tortellini to make it gluten-free.

Can I use flavored salami?
Yes—smoked turkey salami adds a nice twist.

What to serve alongside?
Serve with garlic bread, grilled veggies, or a simple green salad.

🏁 Conclusion
This Tortellini Pasta Salad is a flavorful, pork-free delight—perfect for summer gatherings, easy lunches, or meal prepping. With creamy tortellini, fresh veggies, turkey salami, and zesty dressing, it’s a dish everyone will go back for seconds. Give it a try and enjoy the burst of colors and flavors! 🥗✨