Tuscan Pasta Salad Recipe
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Easy prep and big Italian flavor makes this Tuscan Pasta Salad a delicious Summer side dish for picnic and potluck season! This easy recipe is packed with flavorful ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red pepper, olives, and mini pepperoni.
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‘Tis the season of picnics, potlucks, cookouts and all manner of outdoor entertaining!
Since I want to enjoy my company instead of being cooped up in the kitchen, this pasta can be prepped ahead of time and just mixed right before serving. Easy peasy, friends!
Ingredients
- cheese tortellini
- sliced black olives
- artichoke hearts
- mini pepperoni
- roasted red peppers
- sun dried tomatoes
- arugula
- olive oil
- balsamic vinegar
- minced garlic
Instead of using rotini (corkscrew pasta) or elbow macaroni, I decided that tender, cheese-filled tortellini would be the star of this summer side dish. Those cheesy little pasta pockets hold their own with flavorful veggies like sun-dried tomatoes and roasted red peppers.
I added mini pepperoni, olives and even some fresh greens so this pasta salad really is bursting with flavor!
I went with a no-mayonnaise pasta salad that can stand up to the heat a little better than one of its creamy counterparts. To make this recipe even easier, the olive oil vinaigrette is just shaken up in a mason jar and drizzled over all of the ingredients.
Step by step
Like most pasta salads you simply toss all the ingredients together in a large bowl, then refrigerate until ready to serve.
Serving suggestions
This Tuscan Pasta Salad is delicious served with grilled Italian sausage, marinated chicken or even alongside a classic burger. It is hearty and filling, so your guests definitely won’t go hungry!
Need more ideas? Check out this list of what to serve with pasta salad!
Variations and substitutions
Here are a few ingredients that would be delicious to swap out for your family’s preferences:
- Cubed salami instead of pepperoni
- Fresh red bell peppers instead of roasted red peppers
- Diced fresh tomatoes instead of sun-dried tomatoes
- Any hearty green (spinach or kale) instead of arugula
- Marinated mushrooms instead of artichoke hearts
- Regular pasta + mini fresh mozzarella balls instead of the cheese tortellini
- Serve with freshly grated or shaved Parmesan cheese or cubed provolone cheese
- Add diced red onion
- Season to taste with kosher salt and black pepper
- Add white beans for extra protein
Can Pasta Salad Be Made the Day Ahead?
This recipe tastes amazing whether made the day of or a day ahead! To make the day ahead mix all pasta salad ingredients other than arugula. Add the arugula and toss just before serving for the freshest taste. Keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to two days.
You might also like these other delicious salad recipes:
If you try this recipe, please comment and rate it below!
PrintTuscan Pasta Salad
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
Description
Easy prep and big Italian flavor makes this Tuscan Pasta Salad a delicious Summer side dish for picnic and potluck season! This easy recipe is packed with flavorful ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red pepper, olives, and mini pepperoni.
Ingredients
- Two 19 oz. package of cheese tortellini (cooked according to package instructions & cooled)
- One 3.8 oz. can sliced olives
- 1/2 cup artichoke hearts (chopped)
- 1/3 cup mini pepperoni
- 1/3 cup roasted red peppers (chopped)
- 1/3 cup sun dried tomatoes in oil (drained and chopped)
- 1 cup arugula
Dressing
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 – 1 teaspoon minced garlic
Instructions
- Mix dressing ingredients and shake to combine.
- Just prior to serving, stir all ingredients + dressing together and spoon into serving bowl.
Notes
If making ahead of time do not add the arugula until ready to serve.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: side
- Method: none
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 1.2 g
- Sodium: 651.7 mg
- Fat: 23.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 36.3 g
- Protein: 13.8 g
- Cholesterol: 48.6 mg
delicious!