Delicious and Refreshing Cold Greek Tortellini Salad: A Perfect Summer Meal

Summer is here, and that means it’s time for light, refreshing, and easy-to-make meals! This Cold Greek Tortellini Salad is the perfect dish for a hot day. It combines the satisfying chewiness of cheese tortellini with the vibrant flavors of classic Greek salad ingredients. It’s packed with fresh vegetables, tangy feta cheese, briny olives, and a zesty Greek dressing, making it a crowd-pleaser for potlucks, picnics, or a simple weeknight dinner.

This recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing you to customize it to your liking. You can easily adjust the ingredients based on what you have on hand or what your family prefers. The best part? It comes together in under 30 minutes, making it a convenient option when you’re short on time.

## Why You’ll Love This Cold Greek Tortellini Salad

* **Quick and Easy:** Ready in less than 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
* **Refreshing:** The cool ingredients and zesty dressing make it ideal for hot summer days.
* **Versatile:** Easily customizable with your favorite vegetables and proteins.
* **Crowd-Pleasing:** A hit at potlucks, picnics, and barbecues.
* **Flavorful:** A delicious combination of pasta, vegetables, cheese, and a vibrant Greek dressing.
* **Make-Ahead Friendly:** Can be made ahead of time, allowing the flavors to meld together.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a list of the ingredients you’ll need to create this flavorful Cold Greek Tortellini Salad. Feel free to adjust the quantities to your liking or to accommodate the number of servings you need.

* **Tortellini:** 20 ounces of cheese-filled tortellini. You can use fresh or refrigerated tortellini. Dried tortellini will also work, but the texture will be slightly different. Tri-color tortellini adds a visually appealing touch.
* **Cucumber:** 1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded, and diced. English cucumbers are a good option because they have fewer seeds and a thinner skin.
* **Tomatoes:** 1 pint of cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes, halved. Roma tomatoes, diced, can also be used.
* **Red Onion:** 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced. Red onion adds a sharp, slightly sweet flavor that complements the other ingredients. If you find it too strong, you can soak it in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow the flavor.
* **Kalamata Olives:** 1/2 cup of Kalamata olives, pitted and halved. Kalamata olives have a rich, briny flavor that is characteristic of Greek salad. You can also use other types of olives, such as black olives or green olives.
* **Feta Cheese:** 4 ounces of feta cheese, crumbled. Feta cheese adds a salty, tangy flavor that is essential to Greek salad. Look for feta cheese packed in brine, as it tends to be more flavorful and creamy.
* **Fresh Parsley:** 1/4 cup of fresh parsley, chopped. Fresh parsley adds a bright, herbaceous flavor. You can also use other fresh herbs, such as dill or oregano.
* **Greek Dressing:** 1/2 cup of your favorite Greek dressing. You can use store-bought or homemade Greek dressing. (Recipe for homemade Greek dressing below)
* **Salt and Pepper:** To taste. Season the salad with salt and pepper to enhance the flavors.

**Homemade Greek Dressing (Optional)**

If you prefer to make your own Greek dressing, here’s a simple recipe:

* 1/4 cup olive oil
* 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* 1 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
* Salt and pepper to taste

Whisk together all ingredients in a small bowl until well combined. You can also shake the ingredients in a jar. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

## Equipment

* Large pot
* Colander
* Large mixing bowl
* Knife
* Cutting board
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Whisk (if making homemade dressing)

## Instructions: Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these simple steps to create a delicious Cold Greek Tortellini Salad:

**Step 1: Cook the Tortellini**

* Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
* Add the tortellini and cook according to the package directions, usually around 3-5 minutes, or until they float to the surface and are tender.
* Drain the tortellini in a colander and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. This will also help to cool them down quickly.
* Set the tortellini aside to drain completely.

**Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables**

* While the tortellini is cooking, prepare the vegetables.
* Peel, seed, and dice the cucumber into small pieces.
* Halve the cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes.
* Thinly slice the red onion. If you find the red onion too strong, soak it in cold water for 10 minutes, then drain and pat dry.
* Pit and halve the Kalamata olives.
* Chop the fresh parsley.

**Step 3: Assemble the Salad**

* In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled tortellini, diced cucumber, halved tomatoes, sliced red onion, halved Kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped parsley.

**Step 4: Add the Dressing**

* Pour the Greek dressing over the salad.

**Step 5: Toss to Combine**

* Gently toss all the ingredients together until they are evenly coated with the dressing.

**Step 6: Season and Adjust**

* Taste the salad and season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the amount of dressing as needed.

**Step 7: Chill (Optional)**

* For the best flavor, cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together. However, you can serve it immediately if you prefer.

**Step 8: Serve and Enjoy!**

* Serve the Cold Greek Tortellini Salad chilled. It’s delicious on its own or as a side dish. Enjoy!

## Tips for the Best Cold Greek Tortellini Salad

* **Don’t overcook the tortellini:** Overcooked tortellini will become mushy. Cook them just until they are tender.
* **Rinse the tortellini with cold water:** This stops the cooking process and cools them down quickly.
* **Use fresh, high-quality ingredients:** The better the quality of your ingredients, the better the salad will taste.
* **Don’t be afraid to experiment:** Feel free to add or substitute ingredients based on your preferences.
* **Make it ahead of time:** This salad tastes even better after it has been chilled for a few hours, as the flavors have time to meld together.
* **Adjust the dressing to your liking:** Some people prefer a more heavily dressed salad, while others prefer a lighter dressing. Adjust the amount of dressing to your taste.
* **Add protein:** For a heartier salad, add grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas.
* **Soak the red onion:** If you find red onion too strong, soak it in cold water for 10 minutes before adding it to the salad.

## Variations and Additions

This Cold Greek Tortellini Salad is incredibly versatile, allowing you to customize it to your liking. Here are a few ideas for variations and additions:

* **Add Protein:** Grilled chicken, shrimp, chickpeas, or cannellini beans are all great additions.
* **Different Vegetables:** Bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange), artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, or zucchini can be added.
* **Different Cheese:** Try using goat cheese, mozzarella, or halloumi instead of feta.
* **Add Herbs:** Fresh dill, oregano, or mint can be added for extra flavor.
* **Spice it Up:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
* **Make it Vegan:** Use vegan tortellini and feta cheese substitutes.
* **Add Lemon Zest:** A little lemon zest can brighten up the flavors.

## Serving Suggestions

This Cold Greek Tortellini Salad is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways:

* **As a Side Dish:** Serve it alongside grilled meats, fish, or vegetables.
* **As a Main Course:** Add protein and serve it as a light and refreshing lunch or dinner.
* **At Potlucks and Picnics:** It’s a great dish to bring to potlucks, picnics, and barbecues.
* **In a Lunchbox:** Pack it in a lunchbox for a healthy and delicious meal on the go.

## How to Store Leftovers

Store leftover Cold Greek Tortellini Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The salad may become slightly drier over time, so you may need to add a little extra dressing before serving. It’s best to store the salad without the dressing if you plan to keep it for more than a day, adding the dressing just before serving.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate)

* Calories: 400-500 per serving (depending on ingredients and serving size)
* Protein: 15-20 grams
* Fat: 20-30 grams
* Carbohydrates: 40-50 grams

*Note: This is an estimate and can vary depending on the specific ingredients used.*

## Conclusion

This Cold Greek Tortellini Salad is a delicious, refreshing, and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for summer. It’s packed with flavor and can be customized to your liking. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner, a potluck dish, or a healthy lunch, this salad is sure to please. So gather your ingredients, follow the simple steps, and enjoy a taste of Greece!

Enjoy your culinary creation!