Tortellini Salad

Method

Boil water: 

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.

Meanwhile, make the dressing:

In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir in the red onion. Set aside.

Cook the tortellini:

Once the water comes up to a boil, cook the tortellini until al dente following package directions. Drain into a colander set in the sink. Rinse with cold running water until the

 pasta cools to room temperature. Drain well.

Assemble the salad:

Add the cooled tortellini, bell peppers, cucumbers, kalamata olives, artichokes, sausage, feta, and basil to the dressing. Toss well to combine. Taste and season with salt and black pepper, if needed.

lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

2 cloves garlic, grated

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 small red onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)

For the salad

2 (10-ounce) packages tortellini (any kind)

1 small yellow bell pepper, chopped (about 1 cup)

1 English cucumber, quartered lengthwise and thinly sliced (about 3 cups)

3/4 cup pitted and sliced kalamata olives

1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and roughly chopped

8 ounces turkey summer sausage, quartered lengthwise and sliced (about 2 cups)

6 ounces crumbled feta cheese

1/2 cup finely chopped fresh basil leaves

Method

Boil water: 

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.

Meanwhile, make the dressing:

In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir in the red onion. Set aside.

Bowl of Olive Oil Red Onions, and Seasoning for Tortellini Salad Recipe

Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel

Cook the tortellini:

Once the water comes up to a boil, cook the tortellini until al dente following package directions. Drain into a colander set in the sink. Rinse with cold running water until the pasta cools to room temperature. Drain well.

Tortellini Boiled in a Pot of Water for Tortellini Salad

Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel

Tortellini Strained for Pasta Salad Recipe

Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel

Assemble the salad:

Add the cooled tortellini, bell peppers, cucumbers, kalamata olives, artichokes, sausage, feta, and basil to the dressing. Toss well to combine. Taste and season with salt and black pepper, if needed

Chopped Ingredients (Bell Peppers, Sausage, Artichoke Hearts, Cucumbers, Cheese, and Olives) in a Bowl for Tortellini Salad

Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel

Chill before serving: 

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to chill and let the flavors come together. Toss together once more before serving. 

Leftovers can be refrigerated tightly covered for 3 to 5 days. Be sure to give it a stir before serving to redistribute the dressing.