This easy and flavorful Tortellini Pasta Salad is loaded with veggies, has a simple homemade dressing and comes together in less than 30 minutes.
A few of our other favorite tortellini recipes include You might also enjoy Creamy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad, One Pan Lemon Chicken Tortellini and Creamy Tomato and Spinach Tortellini.
I love the versatility of this Tortellini Pasta Salad as a quick and healthy main dish, or an easy, crowd-pleasing side for dinner with some grilled chicken, or to bring to a potluck. The ingredients are simple and much of the dish can be prepped ahead, to save time..
How to Make Tortellini Pasta Salad:
- Cook the tortellini according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- Add tortellini to a large bowl. Add cooked corn, black beans, bell pepper, avocado, cherry tomatoes, onion, and cilantro.
- Combine all of the dressing ingredients in a resealable jar. Shake until combined. Pour desired amount of dressing (you may not want to use it all) over the pasta and toss to coat.
Use Good Quality Tortellini!
Although the dry packaged kind will work for this recipe, I just don't think they taste as good. The refrigerated kind only take a few minutes to cook once your water is boiling and they're much better tasting.
Variations:
- Add protein: grilled chicken, tofu, shrimp or steak.
- Substitute what you already have! Use your favorite kind of beans, and incorporate other veggies you like or already have on hand.
- Adjust Spice: add some hot sauce to the dressing, to turn up the heat.
- Dressing: if you don't want to make it from scratch (sigh!) you can add your favorite store-bought zesty southwest or Italian.
Make Ahead Instructions:
Cook the tortellini, chop the veggies and make the dressing, but store separately. Combine everything just before serving!
More Popular Pasta Salads:
- Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad
- Creamy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad
- Italian Pasta Salad
- BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad
- Pasta Primavera
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Recipe
Tortellini Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 20 ounce package three cheese refrigerated tortellini
- 1 cup corn , fresh cooked, canned or frozen
- 15 ounce can black beans , drained and rinsed
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 1 avocado , peeled, seeded and chopped
- 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes , halved
- 1/4 cup red onion , chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro , chopped
Dressing:
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- juice from 2 limes
- 2 Tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 clove garlic , minced
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the tortellini according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- Add tortellini to a large bowl. Add cooked corn, black beans, bell pepper, avocado, cherry tomatoes, onion, and cilantro.
- Combine all of the dressing ingredients in a resealable jar. Shake until combined. Pour desired amount of dressing (you may not want to use it all) over the pasta and toss to coat.
Notes
- Add protein: grilled chicken, tofu, shrimp or steak.
- Substitute what you already have! Use your favorite kind of beans, and incorporate other veggies you like or already have on hand.
- Adjust Spice: add some hot sauce to the dressing, to turn up the heat.
- Dressing: if you don't want to make it from scratch (sigh!) you can add your favorite store-bought zesty southwest or Italian.
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe?!
RATE and COMMENT below! I would love to hear your experience.
I originally shared this recipe February 2017. Updated April 2021 with process photos and improved instructions.
This post contains affiliate links.
This was so delicious! Wasn’t sure about that Rice vinegar but went ahead and tried it and it was delicious! Another great recipe!
Is there a premade dressing I can buy that would go good with this? i don’t really like making dressings from scratch
You can use whatever dressing you like, but this one is REALLY easy to stir together (takes less than 5 minutes) and has a tex-mex flavor. I can’t think of anything similar that’s store-bought.
Loved this recipe so much. My husband did too & we are adding this recipe to our meatless Mondays!
This was a satisfying and tasty dish.
Do you think substituting the sugar for Truvia/Stevia would work?
Sure! Hope you enjoy it 🙂
I have made this many times for potluck dinners, etc. and this recipe is always a HIT!!
Can you use lemons instead of limes?
Sure 🙂
Thank you for all your recipes, they all look amazing. I love trying new recipes, can’t wait to try some.
Not sure as to how many packages of tortellini are used. Thanks!
One 20 ounce package of tortellini
Absolutely delicious! I’m going to use that dressing with my taco salad, too. We now have another favorite pasta salad.