This Greek Tortellini Salad brings together the heartiness of pasta with the bright, refreshing flavors of a classic Greek salad. Juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, bold red onions, creamy avocado, salty olives, and tangy feta come together with soft cheese tortellini for a dish that’s both satisfying and incredibly fresh. Lightly coated in a homemade balsamic Greek dressing, every bite is balanced, flavorful, and irresistibly Mediterranean. It’s the perfect choice for summer gatherings, weekday lunches, or a no-cook dinner option.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll love this Greek Tortellini Salad because it effortlessly blends comfort and freshness in one bowl. The cheese-filled tortellini adds richness and structure, while the vegetables bring crunch, color, and nutrition. The simple homemade dressing ties everything together with tangy, savory brightness. It’s easy to prepare, customizable, make-ahead friendly, and great for feeding a crowd. Whether you bring it to a potluck, pack it for lunch, or serve it as a light dinner, it delivers bold Mediterranean flavor with minimal effort.
Greek Tortellini Salad
Greek Tortellini Salad is a refreshing and vibrant dish that highlights the bold flavors of the Mediterranean while offering the comforting texture of pasta. It’s a modern twist on traditional Greek salad that brings added heartiness from cheese tortellini, making it more filling and satisfying than your average side dish. This combination of freshness and richness makes it a recipe you’ll want to make all year long.
At the core of this salad are classic Greek ingredients—juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, salty olives, tangy feta, and bold red onions. These ingredients each bring a unique texture and flavor that, when combined, create balance in every bite. Adding tortellini enhances the salad by giving it substance and a delightful chew that complements the crisp vegetables beautifully.
The homemade balsamic Greek dressing is what truly elevates the flavor. Made with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper, the dressing is simple yet incredibly flavorful. The balsamic vinegar adds depth and subtle sweetness, while the olive oil offers a rich, silky base that coats the ingredients perfectly. It ties all the Mediterranean flavors together into one harmonious dish.
This recipe is also wonderfully flexible. You can customize it with your favorite Greek-inspired add-ins such as banana peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, grilled chicken, or spinach. You can make it vegetarian, dairy-free, or gluten-free depending on your needs. The versatile flavor profile works with many cuisines and occasions, from everyday lunches to special gatherings.
One of the best things about Greek Tortellini Salad is its portability. It’s ideal for potlucks, BBQs, picnics, and meal-prep lunches because it travels well and tastes delicious even after being refrigerated. The tortellini absorbs some of the dressing as it sits, becoming more flavorful over time without turning mushy. It’s a great make-ahead option.
Another highlight of this dish is its vibrant presentation. The colorful vegetables—reds, greens, purples, and whites—make the salad visually appealing and appetizing. On a buffet table, it stands out as a bright and fresh dish that guests naturally gravitate toward. It has the charm of a summer salad but the comfort of pasta, making it enjoyable in any season.
This salad also delivers great nutritional value. Cucumbers and tomatoes provide hydration and vitamins, while avocados add healthy fats and creamy richness. Olives bring heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, and feta offers calcium and protein. Combined with tortellini, it becomes a balanced meal with carbs, fats, and protein all in one bowl.
The ease of preparation is another major advantage. The most time-consuming part is simply cooking the tortellini, and once it’s done, the rest is just chopping and mixing. The homemade dressing takes less than a minute to whisk together, making this recipe a fantastic option for busy days when you want something satisfying but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
For those who prefer chilled salads, this dish tastes even better after resting in the refrigerator. The flavors meld together, the vegetables marinate slightly, and the dressing absorbs into the tortellini, enhancing the overall taste. Just remember to bring it to room temperature before serving so the olive oil liquefies again and coats the salad smoothly.
Overall, Greek Tortellini Salad is a flavorful, wholesome, and versatile recipe that works beautifully as a side dish or a full meal. With fresh vegetables, creamy feta, tangy dressing, and hearty pasta, it offers a perfect blend of Mediterranean freshness and comfort. Whether you’re hosting guests or preparing lunch for the week, this salad is a delicious, reliable option that never disappoints.
Servings & Time
Servings: 6–8
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes (tortellini)
Total Time: 25–30 minutes
Ingredients
Greek Salad Dressing
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¼ cup olive oil
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3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
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¼ teaspoon ground black pepper (or more, to taste)
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¼ teaspoon salt (or more, to taste)
Salad
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2 ½ cups cooked, chilled tortellini
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2 cups sliced tomatoes
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1 sliced cucumber
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1 cubed avocado
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1 cup sliced red bell peppers
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1 cup crumbled feta cheese
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2 ounces finely chopped black olives
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¼ red onion, thinly sliced
Instructions
Greek Salad Dressing
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Whisk olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and black pepper in a bowl.
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Add salt to taste (about ¼ tsp).
Greek Tortellini Salad
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Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl.
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Add enough dressing to lightly coat and toss.
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Chill for 2 hours or overnight if desired.
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Let salad and dressing sit at room temperature before serving.
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Add more dressing if needed and serve.
Tips
Ingredient Substitutions
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Use kalamata olives for a stronger Mediterranean flavor.
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Swap feta with goat cheese for a creamier texture.
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Add grilled chicken for extra protein.
Make-Ahead & Storage
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Best served within 24 hours.
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Store refrigerated for up to 2 days.
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Keep extra dressing separate until serving.
Serving Variations
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Serve over mixed greens for added freshness.
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Add fresh herbs like parsley, basil, or dill.
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Mix in chickpeas for a heartier vegetarian meal.
Avoid Common Mistakes
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Don’t add all the dressing at once—start light.
-
Don’t skip chilling; it enhances flavor.
-
Don’t serve straight from the fridge; olive oil solidifies.
Greek Tortellini Salad
Ingredients
Greek Salad Dressing
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper or more, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon salt or more, to taste
Salad
- 2 ½ cups cooked chilled tortellini
- 2 cups sliced tomatoes
- 1 sliced cucumber
- 1 cubed avocado
- 1 cup sliced red bell peppers
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 ounces finely chopped black olives
- ¼ red onion thinly sliced
Instructions
Greek Salad Dressing
- Whisk olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and black pepper in a bowl.
- Add salt to taste (about ¼ tsp).
Greek Tortellini Salad
- Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl.
- Add enough dressing to lightly coat and toss.
- Chill for 2 hours or overnight if desired.
- Let salad and dressing sit at room temperature before serving.
- Add more dressing if needed and serve.
Notes
Ingredient Substitutions
- Use kalamata olives for a stronger Mediterranean flavor.
- Swap feta with goat cheese for a creamier texture.
- Add grilled chicken for extra protein.
Make-Ahead & Storage
- Best served within 24 hours.
- Store refrigerated for up to 2 days.
- Keep extra dressing separate until serving.
Serving Variations
- Serve over mixed greens for added freshness.
- Add fresh herbs like parsley, basil, or dill.
- Mix in chickpeas for a heartier vegetarian meal.
Avoid Common Mistakes
- Don’t add all the dressing at once—start light.
- Don’t skip chilling; it enhances flavor.
- Don’t serve straight from the fridge; olive oil solidifies.
