Description
This Italian Grinder Tortellini Salad packs everything you love about a loaded Italian sub into a creamy, satisfying pasta salad that’s perfect for busy nights and casual gatherings. Tender cheese tortellini, salty deli meats, zesty banana peppers, and juicy tomatoes all get tossed in a bold, garlicky dressing that tastes like it came straight from your favorite sandwich shop. It’s an easy recipe that works for quick breakfast meal prep, laid-back lunch, and easy dinner plans, and it fits right in with your favorite healthy snack ideas, weekday dinner ideas, and go-to food ideas when you need something crowd-pleasing fast.
Ingredients
20 oz cheese tortellini cooked and cooled
1 cup sliced salami
1 cup sliced pepperoni
1 cup chopped deli ham
1 cup halved grape tomatoes
1/2 cup finely diced red onion
1/2 cup sliced banana peppers or pepperoncini drained
1/2 cup diced provolone cheese
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
1. Cook the tortellini in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until just al dente, then drain, rinse gently under cold water, and spread out to cool completely.
2. Chop the salami, pepperoni, and deli ham into bite-sized strips or cubes, halve the grape tomatoes, finely dice the red onion, and slice the banana peppers or pepperoncini.
3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, dried oregano, garlic powder, grated Parmesan, kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes until smooth and creamy.
4. Add the cooled tortellini to the bowl of dressing and gently fold until every piece of pasta is well coated.
5. Add the chopped meats, tomatoes, red onion, banana peppers, and diced provolone to the bowl and toss again until everything is evenly distributed.
6. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley, taste, and adjust seasoning with a bit more salt, pepper, or red wine vinegar if needed.
7. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours, to allow the flavors to meld and the dressing to thicken slightly.
8. Before serving, give the salad a good stir and, if it seems too thick, loosen it with a splash of milk or an extra drizzle of olive oil, then garnish with additional Parmesan and banana peppers if desired.
Notes
For the best texture, don’t overcook the tortellini—keep it just al dente so it holds its shape and doesn’t turn mushy once tossed with the creamy dressing and chilled.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 1350
- Fat: 32
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Unsaturated Fat: 19
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 34
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 23
- Cholesterol: 80