Easy Creamy Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad
A quick and creamy Italian tortellini pasta salad perfect for summer parties, featuring a tangy dressing blended with cream cheese and fresh veggies.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces (340g) cheese tortellini, fresh or frozen
- 1 cup (150g) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium cucumber (about 1 cup/120g), diced
- 1/4 cup (40g) red onion, finely diced
- 1/3 cup (50g) Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (loosely packed)
- 1/2 cup (120ml) Italian dressing, store-bought or homemade
- 2 ounces (56g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup (25g) Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces (340g) of fresh cheese tortellini and cook according to package instructions, usually about 3-5 minutes until tender but not mushy. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta completely. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup (120ml) Italian dressing with 2 ounces (56g) softened cream cheese. Whisk vigorously until smooth and creamy. If needed, warm the cream cheese slightly (10 seconds in the microwave) to help it blend better. Add 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Halve 1 cup (150g) cherry tomatoes, dice 1 medium cucumber (about 1 cup/120g), finely dice 1/4 cup (40g) red onion, and slice 1/3 cup (50g) Kalamata olives. Roughly chop 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled tortellini, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, olives, and basil. Pour the creamy Italian dressing over the salad. Add 1/4 cup (25g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Gently toss everything until evenly coated.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld and the dressing set.
- Before serving, give the salad a quick stir and taste. Add extra salt, pepper, or a splash of Italian dressing if desired.
Notes
Avoid overheating the dressing to prevent separation. Rinse cooked tortellini with cold water to stop cooking and prevent mushiness. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor. Can substitute cream cheese with vegan cream cheese or yogurt for dairy-free version. Use gluten-free tortellini for gluten-free option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup per serv
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 12
Keywords: tortellini pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, Italian pasta salad, summer pasta salad, easy pasta salad, party salad, cheese tortellini salad