This is a super easy recipe that my mom has been making for 25+ years. She got the idea from a recipe in a cooking magazine that started with a bag of frozen veggies that was thawed.

She subbed out the frozen veggies for fresh ones, added some cubed cheese, and tortellini salad became a family hit! It is great for picnics, potlucks, and family parties. It’s a staple at our July 4th party!

Tortellini Salad 

Ingredients:

• 1 package cheese tortellini, cooked per package directions, drained, and rinsed.
• 1 cup of your favorite Italian Salad Dressing
• 1 cup cubed mozzarella cheese
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped into bite-size pieces
• 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped into bite-size pieces
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped into bite-size pieces
• 1 jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained. and chopped into bite-size pieces
• 1 small package pepperoni (or salami- your choiceof), cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 small can sliced black olives, drained

Directions:

1. In a large bowl combine the cooked and cooled tortellini, cheese, veggies, meat, and salad dressing.
2. Store in the fridge covered for at least overnight before serving it. Add additional dressing as needed (sometimes the tortellini soaks up a little bit of dressing).
3. As a side dish, it serves 6-8, and as a main dish 3-4.

Substitutions:

• If you are vegan, sub out vegan tortellini and vegan cheese.
• If you are Gluten Free, sub out GF tortellini.

If you like tomatoes, it’s also great with about 1 cup of cherry/grape tomatoes (I slice them in half).