The real gift this holiday season? All the yummy food you get to devour! Make sure you add Italian Christmas Pasta Salad to your menu wish list, because it’s worth every good deed and right choice you’ve ever made to earn it. The shiniest toy could never compare to a big scoop of this cheesy tortellini mixed with fresh veggies, spicy meats, creamy cheeses, and crunchy nuts. A drizzle of this zesty, sweet, and herby dressing is like a deliciously metaphorical bow on top, one that you’ll be eager to unwrap. Secure your spot on the nice list this year to ensure your plate is topped with this Italian Christmas Pasta Salad!
Ingredients
For the pasta salad:
- 1 (20-ounce) package cheese tortellini
- 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 1/2 cup olives, such as Kalamata, halved or whole
- 1 cup cucumbers, chopped
- 1 cup pepperoni, chopped
- 1 cup mozzarella pearls
- 1 cup sharp provolone cheese, chopped
- 1 cup pepperoncini, drained and roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup pine nuts
- 1/4 cup red onion, diced
For the dressing:
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh herbs, such as basil and/or parsley, chopped, plus more, whole leaves, to taste, for garnish
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- flaked sea salt, to taste
- ground black pepper, to taste
Directions
Step 1 –In a pot of salted, boiling water, cook the tortellini to al dente, according to the package directions.
Step 2 –Drain the water and rinse the tortellini with cold water.
Step 3 –In a large bowl, add the cooked tortellini, the tomatoes, the olives, the cucumbers, the pepperoni, the mozzarella pearls, the provolone cheese, the pepperoncini, the pine nuts, and the red onion.
Step 4 –In a small bowl, add the olive oil, the red wine vinegar, the garlic, the sugar, the herbs, the Dijon mustard, the salt, and the pepper and whisk to combine.
Step 5 –Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and gently stir with a large spoon to combine.
Step 6 –Refrigerate the pasta salad, about 2-3 hours.
Step 7 –Serve the pasta salad garnished with the extra herb leaves.
