This Tortellini Pasta Salad is a scrumptious mixture of tender and tacky tortellini pasta tossed with juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, crispy bacon, savory rooster and candy mandarin oranges drizzled with a candy and tangy dressing for a light-weight however amazingly satisfying meal.
Why This Is The Very Finest Tortellini Pasta Salad. Ever.
Pasta salads are one in all my favourite summer season meals and potluck choices as a result of they’re simple, filling, feed a crowd, and the entire meals teams are tossed collectively into one scrumptious and handy bowl. And whereas I’ve just a few tasty go-to pasta salad recipes, in case you held me down and compelled me to select a favourite, this one would most likely make its strategy to the highest.
This Tortellini Pasta Salad simply delivers on each entrance. The chewy tortellini is tossed with tender rooster, crisp greens, salty-crunchy bacon, and juicy oranges.. and the entire wonderful factor is tossed in a candy and tangy dressing that you possibly can eat with a spoon. I’ve served it freshly made, and made it forward of time and served it chilled. Both means… this one is a particular crowd pleaser!
Components You’ll Must Make this Wonderful Tortellini Pasta Salad:
- Tortellini Pasta– We like to make use of contemporary refrigerated tortellini. You can additionally use common pasta- penne or rotini would work nice too.
- Rooster– This recipe requires rooster breast that you simply prepare dinner within the skillet. However rotisserie rooster is a straightforward and scrumptious choice too.
- Bacon– Any variety will work right here. Common, thick minimize, turkey.. we like precooked bacon as a result of it’s good and quick.
- Spinach– We used child spinach. Give it a tough chop earlier than including it to the salad.
- Tomatoes– We like cherry tomatoes finest on this salad. Simply minimize them in half and you might be good to go.
- Cucumber– We at all times use english cucumbers, as a result of they don’t should peel them or take away the seeds.
- Mandarin Oranges– We use canned mandarin oranges which are packed in juice.
Candy & Tangy Dressing:
- Sugar– Granulated sugar provides sweetness and helps to thicken up the dressing too.
- Crimson Wine Vinegar– That is our favourite, however you possibly can most likely substitute white or apple cider vinegar.
- Oil– We like to make use of avocado oil.
- Salt– Common sea salt is our go-to.
- Paprika– Provides a refined smokiness.
- Oregano– Oregano provides an earthy, herby taste to the dressing.
How To Make Tortellini Pasta Salad:
- Cook dinner pasta. In accordance with the package deal directions- this may differ if you’re utilizing contemporary or dry pasta.
- Cook dinner the rooster. Season the rooster breasts with salt and pepper. Warmth a big skillet over medium warmth and drizzle with oil. Cook dinner for about 4-5 minutes per facet till golden brown on the surface and now not pink. Take away to a chopping board. Enable to chill earlier than dicing.
- Cook dinner the bacon. Cook dinner bacon within the pan you used to prepare dinner the rooster, or in response to package deal instructions. Chop into bite-sized items.
- Chop the greens. Give the spinach a tough chop, slice the tomatoes in half, and quarter and slice the cucumber. Drain the oranges.
- Make the dressing. In a small saucepan, deliver the sugar and vinegar to a boil and whisk till the sugar has dissolved. Take away from warmth and add the remaining elements. Whisk to mix.
- Toss the salad. Add the pasta, rooster, bacon, veggies, and oranges to a big serving bowl. Drizzle with the dressing and toss to mix. Prime with freshly cracked black pepper if desired.
Suggestions & Strategies:
Can I make Tortellini Pasta Salad forward of time?
That is the proper make-ahead dish! Whereas it’s scrumptious served freshly made, it’s equally as tasty served chilly. You may make it within the morning and chill for a fast dinner or potluck dish!
How lengthy does tortellini pasta salad final?
Leftover tortellini pasta salad will final 2-3 days when saved in an hermetic container within the fridge.
Variations:
- Use rotisserie rooster as an alternative of pan-frying rooster. Straightforward, quick and scrumptious!
- Miss the rooster and bacon for a tasty meatless entree or facet dish.
- Substitute the tortellini together with your pasta of alternative! Penne, ziti, bowtie or rotini all work nicely.
- Attempt including totally different greens to fit your style or what’s in your fridge. Zucchini, sugar snap peas, broccoli, avocado, peas, or radishes are all tasty choices.
Extra Yummy Pasta Salad Recipes:
Tortellini Pasta Salad
This Tortellini Pasta Salad is a scrumptious mixture of tender and tacky tortellini pasta tossed with juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, crispy bacon, savory rooster and candy mandarin oranges drizzled with a candy and tangy dressing for a light-weight however amazingly satisfying meal.
Servings: 6
Energy: 487kcal
For the Salad:
- 1 pound refrigerated tortellini
- 6 slices bacon
- 2 massive rooster breasts
- 1 15 oz can mandarin oranges in 100% juice
- 6 ounce bag child spinach
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 medium cucumber quartered
For the Dressing:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup pink wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup avocado or olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
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In a big pot, prepare dinner tortellini in response to package deal instructions ensuring to not overcook. Drain and rinse with chilly water.
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Season rooster with salt and pepper. Warmth a big skillet over medium warmth and drizzle with olive oil. Add rooster and prepare dinner on either side for roughly 4-5 minutes or till middle is now not pink. Enable to relaxation for five minutes after which minimize into chunk dimension cubes. Put aside.
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Cook dinner bacon within the skillet you used to prepare dinner the rooster till brown and crispy. Put aside to chill after which chop into small items.
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Drain mandarin oranges. Roughly chop spinach, minimize cherry tomatoes in half, and quarter the cucumber.
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To Assemble: In a big serving bowl, add tortellini, rooster, bacon, mandarin oranges, spinach, cherry tomatoes and cucumber. Gently stir to mix.
For the Dressing:
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In a small saucepan, deliver the sugar and vinegar to a boil. Flip warmth to medium and whisk till the sugar has dissolved. Take away from warmth and add oil, salt, paprika, and oregano. Whisk till blended.
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Pour the dressing over the tortellini and gently stir till the whole lot is coated. Chill for at the very least half-hour earlier than serving. Get pleasure from!
Energy: 487kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 29g | Fats: 18g | Saturated Fats: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 2g | Monounsaturated Fats: 7g | Trans Fats: 0.01g | Ldl cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 666mg | Potassium: 545mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 2872IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 150mg | Iron: 3mg
www.superhealthykids.com
Natalie Monson
I am a registered dietitian, mother of 4, avid lover of meals and powerful promoter of wholesome habits. Right here you will see plenty of scrumptious recipes filled with fruits and veggies, suggestions for getting your youngsters to eat higher and turn out to be intuitive eaters and plenty of assets for feeding your loved ones.
