I brought this Greek Tortellini Pasta Salad to a BBQ once, thinking it would be a solid side dish. Turns out, it was the dish—gone in minutes while the burgers sat untouched. Lesson learned: always make extra.
With fluffy cheese tortellini, juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, briny olives, and plenty of feta cheese, this Mediterranean tortellini salad is anything but boring. Toss it with a zesty homemade Greek dressing, and you’ve got a refreshing, no-fuss dish perfect for summer cookouts, lazy lunches, or straight-from-the-fridge snacking. Trust me—once you make it, you’ll never look at pasta salad with tortellini the same way again.
Greek Tortellini Pasta Salad
Equipment
- Large pot
- Colander
- Large mixing bowl
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Small jar with lid (for dressing)
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 12 ounces cheese tortellini cooked and cooled
- 1 cup pepperoncini drained and sliced
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
- ½ cup Kalamata olives pitted and halved
- 6 ounces feta cheese crumbled
- ½ cup red onion chopped
- 1 English cucumber sliced and quartered
- ⅓ cup fresh parsley chopped
- ¼ cup fresh dill chopped
For the Dressing:
- ⅓ cup + 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon flat-leaf parsley finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup adjust to taste
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Tortellini: Boil the tortellini according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water, then let sit for at least 5 minutes to cool completely.12 ounces cheese tortellini
- Make the Dressing: In a small jar, combine all dressing ingredients. Shake vigorously until well blended and emulsified. Alternatively, whisk together in a small bowl until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.⅓ cup + 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon flat-leaf parsley, 3 cloves garlic, 2 teaspoons dried oregano, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Prepare the Vegetables: Chop the cucumber, red onion, parsley, and dill. Slice the cherry tomatoes, olives, and pepperoncini. Crumble the feta cheese.1 cup pepperoncini, 2 cups cherry tomatoes, ½ cup Kalamata olives, 6 ounces feta cheese, ½ cup red onion, 1 English cucumber, ⅓ cup fresh parsley, ¼ cup fresh dill
- Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, gently toss together the cooked and cooled tortellini, chopped vegetables, feta cheese, and herbs.
- Add the Dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine, being careful not to break the tortellini.
- Let It Chill: For the best flavor, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. This allows the flavors to fully develop.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve cold or at room temperature. For a heartier meal, top with grilled chicken.
Greek Tortellini Pasta Salad: Tips, Tricks & How Not to Ruin It
Alright, so you’re making Greek Tortellini Pasta Salad—great choice. But let’s make sure you actually do it right. I’ve made this salad more times than I can count, and along the way, I’ve learned some valuable lessons (a.k.a. mistakes I’d rather you avoid). Here’s everything you need to know to make this dish shine.
Tips & Tricks for a Next-Level Salad
✅ Cool the Tortellini… or Regret It Later
Hot tortellini + feta cheese = a mushy mess. Rinse the pasta under cold water, drain well, and let it cool before mixing, or be prepared for a tragic, melty disaster.
✅ Don’t Drown It in Dressing (At Least Not at First)
Yes, the dressing is amazing, but tortellini are little sponges. Toss in half the dressing first, let it chill, then add more before serving. This way, it won’t end up a dry, flavorless disappointment.
✅ Feta: Crumble It Yourself Like a Pro
Pre-crumbled feta is basically flavorless dust. Buy a block, crumble it with your hands, and taste the difference. It’s worth the 10 extra seconds of effort.
✅ Olives: Pitted = Less Drama
Unless you enjoy watching your guests awkwardly spit out olive pits, buy pitted Kalamata olives. Your friends will thank you.
✅ Cucumbers: No One Likes a Soggy Salad
If your cucumber is extra watery (you know the kind), scoop out the seeds before chopping. Less water = a crunchier, more satisfying bite.
✅ Make It Ahead, but Not Too Far Ahead
This salad loves to marinate in the fridge for an hour or two. But overnight? The tortellini start absorbing all the dressing, and things get weird. If making it ahead, hold back a little dressing to refresh it before serving.
Ingredient Swaps (a.k.a. What to Do When You Forgot Something at the Store)
🥒 No English Cucumber? Regular cucumbers work, just peel them unless you enjoy the taste of wax.
🧀 Out of Feta? Goat cheese crumbles are a decent swap, but let’s be real—it’s not the same.
🌿 No Fresh Dill? Use extra parsley, or skip it. Don’t even think about using dried dill—it’s just sad.
🍋 Want More Zing? Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the dressing. Instant flavor boost.
🐔 Make It a Meal? Throw in some grilled chicken and call it dinner. No one will complain.
🥗 No Pepperoncini? Banana peppers work, but pepperoncini bring the best briny kick. If you skip them, don’t tell me—I’ll pretend I didn’t hear it.
Final Words of Wisdom
This cold tortellini pasta salad is pretty much foolproof—unless you rush it, over-dress it, or use sad, pre-crumbled feta. Follow these tips, and you’ll have the best Mediterranean tortellini salad at the BBQ. Ignore them, and, well… good luck with that. 😉
