Tortellini Pasta Salad
Tortellini Pasta Salad, featuring crunchy broccoli, sweet cranberries, and toasted almonds in a creamy poppy seed dressing. This salad is great for potlucks, an easy lunch, or even meal prep for a quick option during the busy week.
A Pasta Salad that’s Versatile Year-Round
This Creamy Tortellini Pasta Salad is the kind of dish that works all year round. It’s light and refreshing enough for summer cookouts and picnics, but the sweet cranberries, crunchy almonds, and hearty tortellini make it just as satisfying during the cooler fall and winter months. Tossed in a creamy poppy seed dressing, this pasta salad has great flavor and tons of texture. It keeps well in the fridge, so an ideal salad for easy grab-and-go lunches.
Like most pasta salads, this one is incredibly flexible. You can easily swap in your favorite veggies, cheeses, or even a different type of pasta. Have cherry tomatoes, cucumber, or roasted red peppers on hand? Toss them in. Prefer feta or cheddar cheese instead of parmesan, go for it! This salad is all about making it your own. And the best part? It comes together in about 20-minutes, making it great when you have a last minute gathering to attend.
Basic Ingredients You Need
- Tortellini- We use cheese stuffed tortellini.
- Broccoli– Make sure to use fresh, raw broccoli.
- Parmesan cheese
- Red onion
- Dried cranberries- Or other dried fruit you enjoy.
- Roasted almonds
- Dressing– Mayo, Greek yogurt, vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, salt and pepper.
Tortellini Pasta Salad In 20-Minutes!
- Cook the pasta, drain and rinse.
- Prepare the veggies and dressing while the pasta cooks.
- Assemble the salad by adding all the dry ingredients to a bowl, then toss in the dressing.
- Enjoy right away or chill until ready to serve.
Substitution Ideas
- Broccoli: Sub with asparagus, snap peas, or zucchini.
- Cranberries: Use golden raisins, chopped dried apricots, or even pomegranate seeds for variety.
- Toasted Almonds: Try toasted pecans, walnuts, or sunflower seeds for a nut-free option.
- Cheese Tortellini: Swap for spinach tortellini, or use gluten-free pasta for dietary needs.
- Dressing Swap: You can use a store-bought poppy seed dressing for convenience.
Important Tip For Make-Ahead
If making this ahead for a few easy lunches, or if you have leftovers, add a splash of milk to your serving to boost the dressing and make it creamy again.
Tortellini Pasta Salad
Equipment
- small bowl
- medium bowl
- medium pot
Ingredients
Poppy Seed Dressing
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 3 tbsp plain, full-fat Greek yogurt we use 2%
- 1 1/2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 1/2 tsp honey
- 2 tsp poppy seeds
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Pasta Salad
- 10 ounces cooked, cheese tortellini, drained and rinsed lightly or use your favorite kind
- 1 1/2 cups raw broccoli florets
- 1/3 cup red onion, sliced thin
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook 10 ounces of tortellini according to the package directions. Make sure to drain and rinse the cooked pasta lightly with cool water.
- While the pasta cooks, prepare the dressing in a small bowl by combining 1/4 cup mayo, 3 tbsp Greek yogurt, 1 1/2 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1 1/2 tsp honey, 2 tsp poppy seeds, and 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper.
- Add the all the pasta salad ingredients to a medium bowl. Cooked tortellini, 1 1/2 cups broccoli florets, 1/3 cup red onion slices, 1/3 cup dried cranberries, 1/4 cup sliced almonds, and 1/4 cup parmesan cheese.
- Pour prepared dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Season with more salt and pepper if needed.
- Enjoy right away or place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Notes
- Don’t overcook the tortellini – you want them tender but firm enough to hold up in the salad.
- Chop broccoli small so it blends easily with the pasta and absorbs the dressing.
- Meal prep friendly: It keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just give it a stir before serving. You can also add a splash of milk to help make it creamy again.
- Make it a meal: Add grilled chicken or cooked bacon for protein.
Nutrition
Check Out 4 More Of Our Favorite Pasta Salads
Love making pasta salads? These are 4 of our favorites on the site. We think you’ll love them too! Coleslaw Pasta Salad, Cob Pasta Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing, Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad, Pasta Salad with Homemade Italian Dressing.
Note: Some of the links on my website are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra charge to you.