Fresh Tortellini Salad with Bacon, Pepperoncini, and Parmesan Recipe
A vibrant and flavorful Fresh Grinder Tortellini Salad featuring cheese tortellini, a zesty mayo-based dressing with Italian herbs, crunchy bacon, pepperoncini peppers, and fresh grape tomatoes for a perfect quick-to-prepare pasta salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon Italian herbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1/3 cup drained pepperoncini peppers
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
Salad
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
- 19 oz frozen cheese tortellini
- 8 slices cooked and crumbled bacon
- 1 cup halved grape tomatoes
Instructions
- Cook Tortellini: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the frozen cheese tortellini according to package instructions, typically 7-9 minutes until tender. Drain well and rinse under cold water to cool.
- Prepare Dressing: In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, salt, oregano, Italian herbs, garlic powder, crushed red pepper, and grated parmesan. Whisk together to create a smooth, flavorful dressing.
- Add Ingredients: To the dressing, add drained pepperoncini peppers, chopped red onion, halved grape tomatoes, and crumbled cooked bacon. Stir to evenly distribute all ingredients.
- Combine Tortellini and Dressing: Add the cooled tortellini to the bowl and gently toss to coat the pasta fully with the dressing and mix in the veggies and bacon.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let flavors meld. Serve cold or at room temperature for a refreshing pasta salad.
Notes
- For best flavor, prepare the salad a few hours ahead to let it chill and develop.
- Use freshly cooked tortellini and cool completely before mixing to avoid sogginess.
- This salad can be customized with additional veggies like bell peppers or olives.
- For a lighter version, substitute reduced-fat mayonnaise or Greek yogurt.
Keywords: Tortellini salad, Italian pasta salad, bacon pasta salad, cheese tortellini recipe, easy pasta salad
