Tortellini Salad with Asparagus and Lemon Dressing
Mediterranean Easy

Tortellini Salad with Asparagus and Lemon Dressing

A bright, herb-flecked pasta salad that stays fresh thanks to a quick marinade.

vegetarianpastasaladlunchdinnerquickweeknight
β€” (0 ratings)
⏱️ 45 minutes 25 minutes prep · 2 minutes cook
🍽️ 4 Serves
485 Calories
18g Protein
44g Carbs
27g Fat

Why This Recipe Works

The secret to this salad is letting the tortellini rest in the lemon dressing for fifteen minutes, allowing the pasta to absorb the bright flavors before adding the delicate herbs and blanched vegetables.


Instructions

1

Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot and prepare a large bowl filled with ice water. Add the asparagus and salt to the boiling water and cook until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Transfer the asparagus to the ice water using a slotted spoon to stop the cooking, then drain and pat dry once cooled.

2

Return the pot of water to a boil and cook the tortellini until tender, stirring often to prevent sticking. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water, then drain again, leaving the tortellini slightly damp so they remain supple.

3

Toss the tortellini and tomatoes together in a large bowl.

4

Whisk the lemon juice, shallot, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Drizzle in the oil while whisking constantly until the dressing is emulsified.

5

Stir the dressing into the tortellini mixture, cover, and let sit for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the pasta to absorb the dressing.

6

Fold in the blanched asparagus, basil, Parmesan, and pine nuts. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste and serve.


🍽️ Complete the Meal

πŸ“…
Make Ahead: The dressing can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Blanch the asparagus up to 1 day ahead.
🧊
Storage: Refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze this recipe?

Refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Can I make this ahead of time?

The dressing can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Blanch the asparagus up to 1 day ahead.

Rohit Bothra
Recipe by

Rohit Bothra

Self-taught cook exploring global vegetarian cuisine from my Atlanta kitchen.

Learn more about me β†’
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