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Easy Refreshing Greek Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe for Summer Parties

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A light and satisfying Greek-inspired tortellini pasta salad featuring creamy cheese tortellini, fresh vegetables, and a tangy lemon-oregano dressing. Perfect for summer gatherings and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) cheese tortellini (fresh or refrigerated)
  • 1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 cup (75 g) Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
  • 1/4 cup (40 g) red onion, thinly sliced
  • 4 oz (115 g) feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1/4 cup (15 g) fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried oregano)
  • Juice of 1 large lemon
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz (340 g) of cheese tortellini and cook according to package instructions, usually 3 to 5 minutes for fresh tortellini. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool them down. Set aside.
  2. While the tortellini cooks, halve 1 cup (150 g) of cherry tomatoes, dice 1 medium cucumber, thinly slice 1/4 cup (40 g) of red onion, and halve 1/2 cup (75 g) of Kalamata olives. Chop 1/4 cup (15 g) fresh parsley and 1 tablespoon fresh oregano.
  3. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the juice of 1 large lemon, 1/4 cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the cooled tortellini, tomatoes, cucumber, olives, red onion, parsley, and oregano. Crumble 4 oz (115 g) of feta cheese over the top. Pour the dressing over everything and gently toss until well coated.
  5. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. Before serving, give it another gentle toss and adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

Cook tortellini until al dente and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and prevent clumping. Add feta just before serving if very crumbly. Dressing can be made ahead and stored up to 2 days. For vegan version, use dairy-free tortellini and vegan feta. Salad tastes better after chilling for at least 30 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: Greek tortellini pasta salad, summer pasta salad, easy pasta salad, cheese tortellini salad, Greek salad, picnic salad, potluck recipe