Fresh Grinder Tortellini Salad Recipe
This Fresh Grinder Tortellini Salad is a flavorful and hearty dish featuring al dente cheese tortellini tossed with crispy bacon, tangy pepperoncini, fresh tomatoes, red onion, and a creamy Italian herb dressing. Perfect for a chilled pasta salad, it blends savory, tangy, and slightly spicy notes for a delightful and satisfying meal or side.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dressing:
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
- 1 cup mayonnaise (Hellmann’s preferred)
- 1 tsp dried oregano (or 1 tbsp fresh, finely chopped)
For the Salad:
- 1/3 cup drained pepperoncini peppers (thinly sliced or roughly chopped)
- 8 slices cooked crumbled bacon
- 1 cup halved grape tomatoes
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion (finely chopped for milder flavor)
- 19 oz frozen cheese tortellini (cooked al dente)
Instructions
- Prepare the Bacon: Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until it becomes crispy. Drain the grease and place the bacon on paper towels to absorb excess oil. Chop into small pieces and set aside.
- Cook the Cheese Tortellini: Bring a large pot of water to a boil on the stove. Add the frozen cheese tortellini and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Set aside to cool.
- Make the Dressing: In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, salt, oregano, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper. Stir vigorously until the dressing is smooth and well blended.
- Assemble the Salad: Add the cooked and cooled tortellini, chopped pepperoncini peppers, Parmesan cheese, chopped red onion, halved grape tomatoes, and chopped bacon into the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss to evenly coat all ingredients with the dressing.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the salad bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld and the salad to chill. Before serving, stir the salad well and serve chilled.
Notes
- For a milder onion flavor, finely chop the red onion; for more bite, chop coarsely.
- Ensure the tortellini is cooked al dente to prevent over-softness in the salad.
- Mayonnaise brands vary; Hellmann’s is recommended for best flavor balance.
- Refrigerating the salad enhances flavor melding and texture.
- Adjust crushed red pepper to taste for spice level.
- Can be prepared a day in advance and kept refrigerated.
Keywords: tortellini salad, bacon tortellini salad, cheese tortellini salad, Italian pasta salad, pepperoncini salad, cold pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, fresh tortellini recipe
