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Fresh Grinder Tortellini Salad Recipe

Fresh Grinder Tortellini Salad Recipe
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★★★★★

5 from 11 reviews

A vibrant and flavorful Fresh Grinder Tortellini Salad that combines creamy mayonnaise-based dressing with Italian herbs, tangy pepperoncini, crispy bacon, and tender cheese tortellini. Perfect as a hearty side or light main dish, this salad is easy to prepare and bursting with bright, savory flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Dressing Ingredients

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon Italian herbs
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Salad Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup drained pepperoncini peppers
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup chopped red onion
  • 19 oz frozen cheese tortellini
  • 8 slices cooked and crumbled bacon
  • 1 cup halved grape tomatoes

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Bacon: Cook the bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Drain the grease and place the bacon on paper towels to absorb any excess oil. Once cooled, chop the bacon into small pieces and set aside.
  2. Cook the Cheese Tortellini: Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and cook the frozen cheese tortellini according to the package instructions, usually about 7-9 minutes. Drain the tortellini and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
  3. Make the Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, salt, oregano, Italian herbs, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir thoroughly until the dressing is smooth and well blended.
  4. Assemble the Salad: To the bowl with dressing, add the cooked and cooled tortellini, drained pepperoncini peppers, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped red onion, halved grape tomatoes, and chopped bacon. Gently toss all ingredients together until everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
  5. Chill and Serve: Cover the salad bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld. Before serving, stir the salad gently and enjoy your freshly prepared tortellini salad.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon or substitute with smoked tempeh or vegetarian bacon bits.
  • Make sure to rinse tortellini after boiling to prevent it from sticking together and to cool it down for the salad.
  • The salad tastes best after chilling for at least one hour, but can be made up to a day in advance.
  • You can adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes based on your preferred spice level.
  • Use fresh grated Parmesan for better flavor compared to pre-grated cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: tortellini salad, bacon tortellini salad, Italian salad, cheese tortellini recipe, creamy tortellini salad, refrigerator salad

Find it online: https://tastygenius.com/fresh-grinder-tortellini-salad-recipe/