Zesty Italian Pasta Salad recipe with tortellini, Italian meats and cheese, fresh vegetables and a simple homemade Italian dressing.

This salad has many of the components of a good Italian sub but in salad form.

Italian meats and cheeses, fresh veggies — plus cheese filled tortellini – all tossed in an easy homemade italian dressing.

It’s a great make-ahead recipe, transports easily to pot lucks and parties and is always a hit!

In my book, it’s not a summer backyard barbecue without a good cold pasta salad.

It’s the perfect side dish that goes with practically everything from burgers and dogs to chicken and ribs and everything in between.

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:

This is an easy Italian Pasta Salad recipe with tons of versatility – maybe one of my favorite things about this recipe.
Use tortellini or any variety of short pasta.
You can make it ahead of time.
It transports easily to parties and picnics.
You can use your favorite store-bought dressing or my quick and easy homemade italian dressing.
The ingredients are available at your local grocery store (many from the deli dept!).
It’s absolutely delicious to anyone who loves a good Italian sub — and who can’t get behind that?

WHAT KIND OF PASTA IS BEST FOR ZESTY ITALIAN PASTA SALAD RECIPE?

Any short pasta will work well in this recipe including elbow macaroni, rotini pasta, bow tie pasta or fresh tortellini shown below.

WHAT’S IN ITALIAN TORTELLINI SALAD?

Salad Ingredients:

3-cheese tortellini
salami
pepperoni
provolone cheese
red onion
mini bell peppers
cherry tomatoes
canned sliced black olives
sliced banana peppers (jar)
homemade Italian dressing (or your favorite brand_
salt and pepper

Zesty Italian Dressing Ingredients:

olive oil
red wine vinegar
garlic powder
honey
grated parmesan cheese
dry Italian seasoning
red pepper flakes
salt and pepper

HOW TO MAKE ZESTY ITALIAN PASTA SALAD:

You’re just a few quick steps away from digging into this easy Italian Pasta Salad.

Add dressing ingredients to a small bowl then whisk to combine (OR add to a small jar with a lid and give it a good shake until well blended).

Cook the tortellini according to package directions in a large pot of salted water to al dente.

Drain and rinse in cold water couple of minutes then add cooked pasta to a large bowl. Blot tortellini with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.

Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl (except salt and pepper) then fold in 1/2 cup of the dressing.

Gently stir to combine. Refrigerate 2-4 hours (up to overnight) for best flavor before eating.

Before serving, toss with the additional dressing then season with salt and pepper to taste.

ADDITIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS:

There are many great additions and substitutions for next time you make this recipe:

grape tomatoes or other fresh tomatoes sliced can also be used
diced ham
whole red bell pepper or green bell pepper (seeded and diced)
artichoke hearts
crisp cucumber slices
thinly sliced green onion
try different cheeses like feta cheese or fresh mozzarella balls
green olives
little bit of fresh parsley or fresh basil
broccoli florets
garbanzo beans (rinsed and drained)

HOW TO STORE ITALIAN TORTELLINI PASTA SALAD:

Store this cold pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH PASTA SALAD:

closeup best cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato and side of fries

overhead view white plate with grilled split chicken breasts brushed with bbq sauce

slab of air fryer bbq ribs on cutting board

LOOKING FOR MORE PASTA SALAD RECIPES?

greek tortellini pasta salad ~ 3 cheese tortellini combined with vegetables, olives, herbs and feta cheese blended with a simple homemade Greek Yogurt Greek dressing.

black bowl with mexican street corn pasta salad garnished with crispy bacon

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Enjoy!

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