This spinach tortellini salad is a quick and simple pasta salad that the whole family will love! It's loaded with fresh ingredients and comes together in about 20 minutes.
This is a good time of year to be making this pasta salad because tomatoes and basil straight out of the garden (or from the farmers' market) make a huge difference in how tasty this salad is.
This spinach tortellini pasta salad doesn't have too many ingredients, so it's perfect to throw together when you need something quick for a summer BBQ or picnic.
Love summer pasta salads? You may also like my balsamic caprese pasta salad, my chorizo pasta salad, or my easy Italian pasta salad recipe.
I whipped up a super fast Italian dressing with pantry staples. It's nice and light and really lets the salad ingredients shine. I found a tasty local fennel salami that I used in this tortellini salad. You could even use a spicy salami or Spanish chorizo if you wish.
Pro tip: The spinach does wilt, so I suggest waiting to add the dressing to just prior to serving. If you're in a rush, feel free to use a bottled Italian dressing instead of the homemade one.
More cheese tortellini recipes you may like:
- Chicken Tortellini Alfredo
- Instant Pot Chicken Tortellini Soup
- Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup
- Cheese Tortellini with Butter, Mushrooms, and Crispy Sage
- Creamy Spinach Tortellini Soup with Chicken
- Caprese Tortellini Pasta Salad
Will you make this spinach tortellini salad?
Let me know in the comments below!
Spinach Tortellini Salad
Ingredients
- 8 ounces salami, chopped
- 1 (20 ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 1/2 small red onion
- 2 cups spinach (packed) chopped
- 8 ounces tomatoes (grape, cherry, etc.) halved
- Handful fresh basil sliced thin
- Salt & pepper to taste
Dressing:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil a large, salted pot of water for the tortellini. Cook it according to package directions. Once cooked, rinse with cool water and drain well.
- Meanwhile, add the dressing ingredients to a small bowl and whisk together (or shake in a jar).
- Prep your other ingredients and add them to a large bowl.
- Once the tortellini has cooled a bit, add it to the bowl and toss everything with the dressing. Serve immediately.
Notes
- The spinach can wilt, so I suggest adding the dressing right before eating this pasta salad.
- Adjust dressing ingredients as needed e.g. add more oil or vinegar to suit your tastes.
- If you prefer, you can use store-bought Italian salad dressing instead of the homemade one.
- Serves 6-8 depending on how much people eat (can be a side dish or main course).
- Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
AngelaML says
I had my eye on two of your tortellini salads and offered to bring one to my sister's July 4th family BBQ. I couldn't decide between this one and your Caprese one. My sister was already grilling 3 different proteins, so I ended up substituting the salami for 12 oz. mozzarella balls halved. The only other sub I made was the grocery store did not have any fresh basil so I added 1 Tbls of basil paste from a tube to the dressing. Otherwise stayed true to your recipe and it was a huge hit! The dressing had great flavor!
I made it the night before and tossed everything (except the spinach) including the dressing. Her kitchen is chaos during these visits, so right before we left I chopped the spinach and tossed it in. We ended up eating about 4 hours later and it was so delicious! The spinach held up great. Just gave it another toss before we ate.
Natasha says
I'm so happy that it all worked out!! Thanks for letting me know, Angela. 🙂
Kelly Lane says
This is fantastic! Easy to make and packed with flavor. Thank you for another great recipe.
Natasha says
Thanks so much, Kelly! 🙂 I'm thrilled you're enjoying my recipes.
Kelly Lane says
Making this for the third time! It is simple and packed with flavor. A total crowd pleaser! The homemade dressing is perfect. Your recipes are my favorite and never disappoint! Thank you.
LESA RASMUSSEN says
Used fresh crushed garlic in place of garlic powder. Otherwise really good. 👍
Natasha says
Great!
Chelle says
This dish is delicious!! Easy to make and can serve a big crowd when doubled. I used Olive Garden's Italian dressing - store bought - and it was fantastic!! Served it to my book club friends with some garlic bread and it was a huge hit!! Thanks so much!
Natasha says
I'm so happy you all enjoyed it!! 🙂
Gabby says
I added toasted pine nuts and it was AWESOME!!
Natasha says
Wonderful! Great idea! 🙂
Mindy says
I made this today. I used sausage instead of salami
And Swiss chard instead of spinach. Excellent flavour!
Natasha says
Awesome!! I'm so glad you liked it, Mindy!
Laura says
I just saw this recipe looking up another recipe of yours and I don’t eat meat so I’m going to make it with shrimp I just saw this recipe looking up another recipe of yours and I don’t eat meat so I’m going to make it with shrimp🤩🤩
Natasha says
Awesome!! I hope you enjoy it!
Fran says
I haven't made this yet but I can tell it's going to be delicious! Thanks for another good one!
Natasha says
You're very welcome!! Hope you like it 🙂
Mara says
Is this still good if you make it ahead of time and serve it cold?
Natasha says
Yes. It’s not meant to be hot. I’d probably add the dressing just before serving though. Let me know how you like it!
Darlene says
Love this!! I was getting tired of the traditional Italian pasta salad. I’m so glad I found this recipe! The dressing is so much lighter and better than the bottled Italian dressing. It was easy to make and well worth it. Instead of salami, I added bacon. I like to add the dressing to everything and let it sit. So I did, minus the spinach. I chopped the spinach but added it right before serving. Honestly, best pasta salad!!
Natasha says
Yay I'm so glad you enjoyed it!! And bacon... mmmmm!
Amina Bradley says
Made it for a party holiday weekend. Everybody loved it, even kids who are very picky eaters! Thank you for the recipe!
Natasha says
I am so happy to hear it!!
Kathleen says
This looks delicious and easy! I am not a big salami fan; any other meat suggestions?
Natasha says
Hi Kathleen! Maybe rotisserie chicken?
Christie says
Making this tomorrow for my MILs bday w BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches- sounded like the perfect side!
Thank you!!
Natasha says
Great! Hope you like it!
Dave Coombs says
The first time I made the tortellini salad I doubled it. Using 20oz of spinach and 20 oz of cheese tortellini. Daniele sopressata made right here in little Rhode Island. My wife took it to a summer cabana dinner gathering with a few of her girlfriends. They all loved it and wanted the recipe. Thanks for sharing a great and easy summer salad recipe.
PS the dressing is great and easy to put together. I’ve used it on several other salads with great results.
Regards, Dave
Natasha says
You are very welcome! I am so pleased to hear it went over well and that you're using the dressing w. other salads too. I'd love to try some of that sopressata...
Becky says
This is my new summer pasta salad! Delicious and easy! What kind of salami do you recommend? I used sliced from the deli but wondered if anything else was recommended?
Natasha says
Hi Becky! So pleased you like it. I usually buy a whole salami and cut it up into cubes. I'm not particularly loyal to any brand... I just buy whatever looks good, basically. I do love Hungarian and Genoa salami in particular, though.
Kat says
This was absolutely delicious!!! Everyone said they couldn't wait for the leftovers. lol Thanks for the great dish.
Natasha says
You are very welcome! So pleased it was a hit! 😀
sandra dean says
Made it and everyone loved it! Thanks!
Natasha says
Excellent!!! Thanks for letting me know.
Dianne says
This sounds really good! I love the fact that I can adjust the quantity to match the left over ingredients I have laying around. Thanks for posting!
Natasha says
You're very welcome!
Karly says
So good! Can't wait to try this!
Natasha says
Thanks, Karly!!
Linda says
Oh yum! I need a big bowl of this already. This looks so good and has all my favorite things in it.
Natasha says
Yay! Thanks, Linda!