Tortellini Primavera Salad
This Tortellini salad blends a bright creamy sauce with fresh and colorful vegetables. Delicious as a side, meatless main dish or add cooked chicken breast.
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time15 minutes mins
Total Time30 minutes mins
Servings: 8
Calories: 326kcal
Author: Good Dinner Mom
- 8 ounce package refrigerated tortellini
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- ½ cup green onions, chopped
- ½ cup red bell peppers, chopped
- ½ cup green bell peppers, chopped
- ½ cup fresh baby peas, or thawed from frozen
- ¼ cup jalapeno pepper, diced ,optional
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons orange peel, grated
- 2 teaspoons dried basil, chopped, or 1 Tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon fresh basil,
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme, chopped, or 2 teaspoons fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Cook 8 ounces tortellini according to package directions. Drain well.
Steam 2 cups broccoli florets and 1 cup sliced carrots just until tender-crisp. Cool under running water.
Combine tortellini, broccoli, carrots, ½ cup green onions, ½ cup bell peppers and ¼ cup jalapeno in a medium bowl. Place in refrigerator while making the dressing.
In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup mayonnaise, 22 teaspoons orange peel, 2 teaspoons basil, 1 teaspoon thyme, 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Add about ½ the dressing to the salad ingredients and then taste. Add more as desired (¾ cup seems perfect for us. If adding chicken, use all the dressing).
Cook's Note:
You can serve the salad immediately if you must, however, the flavors are bolder if allowed to incorporate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours before serving.
Spoon individual portions of salad on plate and top each portion with shredded mozzarella, or add all the mozzarella into large bowl of the salad, toss and serve family style.
Calories: 326kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 656mg | Potassium: 221mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 3371IU | Vitamin C: 50mg | Calcium: 124mg | Iron: 1mg