Tortellini Pasta Salad – Tremendous Wholesome Youngsters

This Tortellini Pasta Salad is a scrumptious mixture of tender and tacky tortellini pasta tossed with juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, crispy bacon, savory hen 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 certainly one of my favourite summer season meals and potluck choices as a result of they’re simple, filling, feed a crowd, and all the meals teams are tossed collectively into one scrumptious and handy bowl. And whereas I’ve just a few tasty go-to pasta salad recipes, if you happen to held me down and compelled me to choose a favourite, this one would in all probability make its strategy to the highest.

This Tortellini Pasta Salad simply delivers on each entrance. The chewy tortellini is tossed with tender hen, crisp greens, salty-crunchy bacon, and juicy oranges.. and the entire superb factor is tossed in a candy and tangy dressing that you would eat with a spoon. I’ve served it freshly made, and made it forward of time and served it chilled. Both approach… this one is a particular crowd pleaser!

Elements You’ll Must Make this Wonderful Tortellini Pasta Salad:

• Tortellini Pasta– We like to make use of contemporary refrigerated tortellini. You may additionally use common pasta- penne or rotini would work nice too.
• Rooster– This recipe requires hen breast that you simply prepare dinner within the skillet. However rotisserie hen is a simple and scrumptious choice too.
• Bacon– Any type will work right here. Common, thick reduce, 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 reduce them in half and you might be good to go.
• Cucumber– We all the time use english cucumbers, as a result of they don’t must peel them or take away the seeds.
• Mandarin Oranges– We use canned mandarin oranges which might be packed in juice.

Candy & Tangy Dressing:

• Sugar– Granulated sugar provides sweetness and helps to thicken up the dressing too.
• Purple Wine Vinegar– That is our favourite, however you would in all probability 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 delicate smokiness.
• Oregano– Oregano provides an earthy, herby taste to the dressing.

How To Make Tortellini Pasta Salad:

1. Prepare dinner pasta. Based on the bundle directions- this can differ if you’re utilizing contemporary or dry pasta.
2. Prepare dinner the hen. Season the hen breasts with salt and pepper. Warmth a big skillet over medium warmth and drizzle with oil. Prepare dinner for about 4-5 minutes per aspect till golden brown on the skin and now not pink. Take away to a cutting board. Enable to chill earlier than dicing.
3. Prepare dinner the bacon. Prepare dinner bacon within the pan you used to prepare dinner the hen, or based on bundle instructions. Chop into bite-sized items.
4. Chop the greens. Give the spinach a tough chop, slice the tomatoes in half, and quarter and slice the cucumber. Drain the oranges.
5. Make the dressing. In a small saucepan, carry the sugar and vinegar to a boil and whisk till the sugar has dissolved. Take away from warmth and add the remaining substances. Whisk to mix.
6. Toss the salad. Add the pasta, hen, bacon, veggies, and oranges to a big serving bowl. Drizzle with the dressing and toss to mix. High with freshly cracked black pepper if desired.

Suggestions & Recommendations:

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 can also 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 hen as a substitute of pan-frying hen. Simple, quick and scrumptious!
• Pass over the hen and bacon for a tasty meatless entree or aspect dish.
• Substitute the tortellini along with your pasta of selection! Penne, ziti, bowtie or rotini all work effectively.
• 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: