Creamy Greek pasta salad with tortellini is a delicious and unique cold pasta salad recipe perfect for summer! Fresh Greek flavors, creamy yogurt sauce, crisp veggies, and tender cheese tortellini make this the best easy side dish for summer parties, cookouts, and potlucks!
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You Will Love This Easy Greek Tortellini Pasta Salad!
- Easy pasta salad to take to summer potlucks, picnics, and BBQs.
- Healthier than traditional pasta salads with mayonnaise.
- Greek pasta salad is the perfect side dish that is bursting with flavor.
- Quick to prep and make ahead!
- You can add protein for a delicious and light main course for summer.
Greek Pasta Salad Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you need to make this recipe. Reference the recipe card at the bottom for exact measurements and the notes below for substitution ideas.
- Cooked cheese tortellini pasta: I prefer fresh tortellini versus frozen tortellini, but either will work in this recipe.
- Tzatziki sauce: Use store-bought tzatziki sauce or homemade dressing with Greek yogurt seasoned with Greek spices and diced cucumbers. Season with black pepper if needed.
- Tomatoes: Juicy cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes are easy to prep and hold up well in this Greek tortellini salad recipe.
- Fresh dill: Adds fresh flavor. Other fresh herbs like fresh basil, oregano, or fresh parsley also work well.
- Feta cheese: Creamy cheese that adds a salty flavor.
- Cucumbers: Crisp cucumbers provide great texture and fresh flavor.
- Olives: Black olives or briny kalamata olives taste great and add salty flavor.
How to Make The Best Greek Tortellini Pasta Salad
Below are step-by-step instructions for how to cook this recipe with the best results. The recipe card at the bottom shows the exact cooking time and temperatures.
- Heat a large pot of salted water over medium-high heat. Add the cheese tortellini and boil it in water according to the al dente package instructions. Drain the cooked pasta in a colander, rinse it under cold water, and place it in a large bowl.
- Add veggies, olives, and cheese to the bowl.
- Prepare homemade Greek yogurt dressing or add tzatziki dressing to the bowl. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Gently toss and coat the ingredients evenly. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Make Ahead
Make Greek tortellini pasta salad up to 3 days in advance. Stir gently and season to taste before serving.
Recipe Variations
- Other Ingredients: Add-ins like chopped red pepper or other crunchy fresh vegetables, red onion, minced garlic, chickpeas, grilled corn, artichoke hearts, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, or red wine vinegar all work well in this Greek tortellini salad recipe.
- Other pasta: Select another sturdy pasta shape, such as rotini (like in this Banza pasta salad), farfalle (like in our caprese bow tie pasta salad), or penne pasta. Sturdy pasta has great nooks and crannies for the Greek salad dressing to cling to.
- Gluten-free Greek pasta salad recipe: Use gluten-free tortellini or another gluten-free pasta.
- Complete meal: Add in grilled shrimp or cooked chicken breasts to make a light and easy meal with high protein.
Expert Tips
- Refrigerate the Greek pasta salad for at least 30 minutes before serving for best results.
- Cook tortellini or pasta to al dente to allow it to hold its shape during storage.
- Refrigerate leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Reserve extra Greek yogurt to stir in when eating the next day.
- Try this Caprese pasta salad for another unique cold salad recipe!
Recipe FAQs
Greek dressing is generally made with a base of Greek yogurt, olive oil, and either lemon juice or red wine vinegar.
More complex dressings may also include chopped garlic, Dijon mustard, oregano, dill, salt, and pepper.
Generally, too much moisture will cause the yogurt to separate. Ensure that the veggies are adequately dried and the yogurt dressing is well mixed before adding to the salad components.
Use higher-fat Greek yogurt to help the dressing combine well.
Other Pasta Salad Recipes for Summer!
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Creamy Greek Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 24 oz. cheese tortellini
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup cucumbers diced
- ⅓ cup black olives
- ½ cup feta cheese
- 1 cup tzatziki more if needed
Instructions
- Cook the cheese tortellini in boiling salted water according to the al dente package instructions. Rinse the cooked tortellini in a colander under cold water and then place in a large bowl.
- Add the vegetables, olives, and feta cheese to the bowl.
- Add the tzatziki dressing to the bowl.
- Gently stir and coat the ingredients evenly. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
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