Tortellini Pasta Salad – Super Healthy Kids

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 lightweight however amazingly satisfying meal.

Why This Is The Very Best Tortellini Pasta Salad. Ever.

Pasta salads are one in every 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 a number of tasty go-to pasta salad recipes, in case you held me down and compelled me to choose a favourite, this one would most likely make its method 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 wonderful factor is tossed in a candy and tangy dressing that you could possibly eat with a spoon. I’ve served it freshly made, and made it forward of time and served it chilled. Either manner… this one is a particular crowd pleaser!

Ingredients You’ll Need to Make this Amazing 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.
• Chicken– This recipe requires hen breast that you simply prepare dinner within the skillet. But rotisserie hen is a simple and scrumptious possibility too.
• Bacon– Any form will work right here. Regular, thick lower, 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 greatest on this salad. Just lower 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.

Sweet & Tangy Dressing:

• Sugar– Granulated sugar provides sweetness and helps to thicken up the dressing too.
• Red Wine Vinegar– This is our favourite, however you could possibly most likely substitute white or apple cider vinegar.
• Oil– We like to make use of avocado oil.
• Salt– Regular sea salt is our go-to.
• Paprika– Adds a delicate smokiness.
• Oregano– Oregano provides an earthy, herby taste to the dressing.

How To Make Tortellini Pasta Salad:

1. Cook pasta. According to the bundle directions- this may differ if you’re utilizing contemporary or dry pasta.
2. Cook the hen. Season the hen breasts with salt and pepper. Heat a big skillet over medium warmth and drizzle with oil. Cook for about 4-5 minutes per facet till golden brown on the surface and now not pink. Remove to a chopping board. Allow to chill earlier than dicing.
3. Cook the bacon. Cook bacon within the pan you used to prepare dinner the hen, or in response to 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, deliver the sugar and vinegar to a boil and whisk till the sugar has dissolved. Remove from warmth and add the remaining components. 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. Top with freshly cracked black pepper if desired.

Tips & Suggestions:

Can I make Tortellini Pasta Salad forward of time?

This is the proper make-ahead dish! While it’s scrumptious served freshly made, it’s equally as tasty served chilly. You could 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 an alternative of pan-frying hen. Easy, quick and scrumptious!
• Leave out the hen and bacon for a tasty meatless entree or facet dish.
• Substitute the tortellini together with your pasta of selection! Penne, ziti, bowtie or rotini all work properly.
• Try 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.

More Yummy Pasta Salad Recipes: