Description
Creamy Greek pasta salad with tortellini is a flavorful and refreshing dish combining tender cheese tortellini with crunchy vegetables, tangy feta cheese, and a luscious Greek-inspired creamy dressing. This hearty salad is perfect for lunches, picnics, potlucks, or summer gatherings, offering a delightful Mediterranean flair with every bite.
Ingredients
Pasta and Vegetables
- 20 oz refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, sliced
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Creamy Greek Dressing
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Tortellini: Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the cheese tortellini according to the package directions until tender, usually about 7-9 minutes. Drain the tortellini and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it completely.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together plain Greek yogurt, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled tortellini, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced Kalamata olives, finely chopped red onion, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped fresh parsley.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the creamy Greek dressing over the salad ingredients, then gently toss everything together until all components are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the salad to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the salad to chill.
- Serve: Before serving, toss the salad gently again to redistribute the dressing if needed, then check the seasoning and adjust salt or pepper to taste.
Notes
- Add grilled chicken or chickpeas to the salad for extra protein and make it more filling.
- If the salad feels dry after refrigeration, add a splash of olive oil or lemon juice to refresh the flavors.
- For additional herbal Greek flavor, use fresh dill or mint along with the parsley.
- Store the pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad, Main Course, Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Greek
