Bacon Tortellini Salad Recipe
A flavorful and creamy tortellini salad featuring cheese tortellini, crispy bacon, tangy pepperoncini, and a zesty homemade dressing. This cold pasta salad is perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or as a refreshing side dish.
- 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 flakes
Salad Components
- 1/3 cup drained pepperoncini peppers
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
- 19 oz frozen cheese tortellini
- 8 slices cooked and crumbled bacon
- 1 cup halved grape tomatoes
Instructions
- Prepare the Bacon: Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Drain excess grease, then transfer bacon to paper towels to absorb additional oil. Chop into small pieces and set aside.
- Cook the Cheese Tortellini: Bring a pot of water to a boil on the stovetop. Add the frozen cheese tortellini and cook according to package instructions (typically about 3-5 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the tortellini. Set aside.
- Make the Dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, salt, oregano, Italian herbs, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper flakes until smooth and well combined to form the dressing.
- Assemble the Salad: Add the cooled tortellini, drained pepperoncini peppers, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped red onion, halved grape tomatoes, and chopped bacon into the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss all ingredients until everything is coated evenly with the dressing.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and the salad to chill. Before serving, stir well and plate the tortellini salad.
Notes
- For best flavor, refrigerate the salad overnight.
- You can substitute turkey bacon or omit bacon for a vegetarian version.
- To reduce sodium, use low-sodium mayonnaise and rinse pepperoncini before adding.
- Add fresh herbs like basil or parsley for an extra flavor boost.
- Make sure to rinse the tortellini with cold water to prevent it from becoming mushy.
Keywords: tortellini salad, pasta salad, bacon tortellini salad, cheese tortellini recipe, creamy pasta salad, easy pasta salad
Find it online: https://victoriablair.com/bacon-tortellini-salad-recipe/
