Tortellini Pasta Salad – Super healthy kids

This Tortellini Pasta Salad is a delicious combination of tender and cheesy tortellini pasta with juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, crispy bacon, hearty chicken and sweet tangerines, drizzled with a sweet and tangy dressing for a light yet amazingly filling meal.

Why this is the best tortellini pasta salad. Always.

Pasta salads are among my favorite summer meals and potluck dishes because they’re easy, they’re filling, they fill a crowd, and they bring all the food groups together in one delicious and convenient bowl. And while I have a few delicious on-the-go pasta salad recipes, this one would probably come out on top if I was stuck and forced to pick a favorite.

This tortellini pasta salad convinces in every respect. The chewy tortellini are topped with tender chicken, crispy veggies, salty-crunchy bacon, and juicy oranges… and it’s all topped with a sweet and tangy dressing you can eat with a spoon. I made it fresh and prepared ahead of time and served chilled. Either way… this one is definitely a crowd pleaser!

Ingredients you will need for this amazing Tortellini Pasta Salad:

• Tortellini pasta– We like to use fresh, chilled tortellini. You can also use regular pasta – penne or rotini would work well too.
• Chicken– This recipe calls for chicken breasts, which you cook in the skillet. But fried chicken is also an easy and delicious option.
• bacon– Any kind will work here. Regular, thick-cut turkey. We like pre-cooked bacon because it’s quick and easy.
• spinach– We used baby spinach. Roughly chop before adding to the salad.
• tomatoes– We like cherry tomatoes best in this salad. Just cut them in half and you’re good to go.
• Cucumber– We always use English cucumbers as they don’t need to be peeled or pitted.
• tangerines– We use canned tangerines packed in juice.

Sweet and Spicy Dressing:

• Sugar– Granulated sugar adds sweetness to the dressing and helps thicken it.
• red wine vinegar– This is our favorite, but you could probably substitute white or apple cider vinegar.
• oil– We like to use avocado oil.
• Salt– Regular sea salt is our top choice.
• paprika– Adds a subtle smokiness.
• oregano– Oregano gives the dressing an earthy herbal taste.

To Prepare a Tortellini Pasta Salad:

1. cook noodles. According to the package instructions, this is different if you use fresh or dry pasta.
2. Boil the chicken. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and drizzle with oil. Fry until the outside is golden brown and no longer pink, about 4-5 minutes on each side. Place on a cutting board. Let cool before dicing.
3. Cook the bacon. Cook the bacon in the pan you fried the chicken in or according to the package directions. Cut into bite-sized pieces.
4. Chop the vegetables. Roughly chop the spinach, halve the tomatoes and quarter and slice the cucumber. Drain the oranges.
5. Make the dressing. In a small saucepan, bring the sugar and vinegar to a boil and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and add the remaining ingredients. Whisk to mix.
6. Mix the salad together. In a large serving bowl, combine pasta, chicken, bacon, vegetables and oranges. Drizzle with the dressing and mix. Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper, if you like.

Tips and Suggestions:

Can I make tortellini pasta salad ahead of time?

This is the perfect prep meal! While delicious freshly made, it’s just as delicious when served cold. You can make it up in the morning and chill it for a quick dinner or potluck meal!

How long does tortellini pasta salad keep?

Leftover tortellini pasta salad will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

Variations:

• Use rotisserie chicken instead of skillet rotisserie chicken. Simple, quick and delicious!
• Skip the chicken and bacon for a delicious meatless appetizer or side dish.
• Replace the tortellini with a pasta of your choice! Penne, ziti, bowtie, or rotini all work well.
• Try adding different types of veggies depending on your taste or what’s in your fridge. Zucchini, snow peas, broccoli, avocado, peas, or radishes are all tasty options.

More delicious pasta salad recipes: