Discover The Perfect Meal In A Bowl With a Tortellini Pasta Salad

I love a really good pasta salad. I realize that many people treat pasta salad as a side dish. However, if it's a really good one, I consider pasta salad a meal of its own.

That's certainly the case with this creative recipe from Merritt Bates-Thomas from Instagram's @thekitchentransition. Merritt has created a pasta salad unlike any other I have ever tried. Instead of corkscrew or bowtie pasta, she uses a cheese-stuffed tortellini.

Plus, Merritt whips up a homemade vinaigrette that is the perfect addition. This is insanely delicious!

HOW TO MAKE TORTELLINI PASTA SALAD?

TORTELLINI SALAD

Salad Ingredients

20 ounce package cheese tortellini

8 ounce package button mushroomS, rinsed & quartered

1 yellow pepper, diced

1 - 15 ounce can quartered artichokes, drained

1 cup assorted cherry & grape tomatoes, halved

1 package mozzarella pearls

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup microgreens or chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Dressing Ingredients

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/2 cup white balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes, diced

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning 

1/2 tablespoon garlic powder or 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground pepper

DIRECTIONS:

Cook tortellini according to package directions.  Drain in a colander and let cool.  While cooking, prep mushrooms and pepper and add to serving bowl.  Add artichokes.  Add in tortellini, mozzarella pearls, and Parmesan cheese, mixing slightly after each addition.

Prepare dressing ingredients in a salad shaker and shake to combine.  Pour the dressing over the salad and stir to mix in.  Garnish and serve.

If you'd like to get more recipes from Merritt (who's a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist), you can follow her on Instagram @thekitchentransition. You can also catch Merritt on WEHT's Local Lifestyles, which airs at 11am CST weekdays.