Packed with flavor and just the right amount of spice, this spicy tortellini pasta salad is the perfect summer side dish. And you can find all the ingredients at your local Trader Joe’s!
Spice up your life!
I know summer is coming to an end soon, but I knew I had to throw one last pasta salad recipe on the blog for you guys to enjoy before the season is out. Pasta salad will always be my favorite summertime side dish – it belongs at every BBQ, pool party, and picnic. They’re also ideal to bring along to summer celebrations like Labor Day or Fourth of July because you can prep ’em ahead of time. They’re so simple to throw together and so satisfying to eat! I love experimenting with new flavor combinations, and I must say that this spicy tortellini pasta salad has become a firm favorite in my house.
This one is a little different from my usual pasta salad recipes, because it has stuffed tortellini rather than regular pasta shapes. I love how it’s unique but still has that quintessential pasta salad feel! It’s such an easy change, but using the tortellini really makes a world of difference because it’s another way to pack in yummy flavor! I went ahead and used a classic three cheese flavored tortellini for this recipe, but you could totally experiment by using other types too.
Everything comes together so easy in around 15 – 20 minutes, and is even better after chilling in the refrigerator for a further 45 minutes. There’s something about a cold pasta salad on a warm day that hits the spot like nothing else can!
Packed with goodness
Pasta salads are so simple to make, but are sure to leave you feeling refreshed on any hot summer’s day. For that reason, it’s super important pay attention to what you add to the salad! I love to shop at Trader Joe’s for my ingredients, both produce and pantry goods. They’ve never let me down and the quality is always 10/10! You can find all the ingredients for this spicy tortellini pasta salad at your local Trader Joe’s which makes it super straightforward to plan for – there’s nothing worse than running around five different grocery stores trying to find everything you need for a recipe!
The flavors of this dish pack a punch, and bring something a little different from your typical mayonnaise based pasta salad. You can play around with how much heat you want in your pasta salad by adding more or less Italian Bomba sauce depending on your preference. I personally love a little kick, and it pairs so perfectly with the creamy cheese tortellini, fresh vegetables and delicious cooked meats. The ingredients work together so well and I love how balanced the dish is – you get the perfect bite in every mouthful!
My spicy tortellini pasta salad is super versatile, and can easily be adapted to suit your guests. For my gluten free friends, you can use GF tortellini, make sure you choose a GF salami and opt for a GF salad dressing. Again, TJ has some great options for all of these! If you’re looking for a vegetarian option, you should check out my harissa pasta salad, strawberry basil feta orzo salad, and sun dried tomato feta pasta salad.
What you will need:
- 2 tbsp Trader Joe’s Italian Bomba sauce, or more/less to taste, or any Calabrian chili sauce
- 1 & 1/4 cup Italian dressing, or more/less to taste
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 19-20 oz cooked cheese tortellini
- 3-4 Persian cucumbers, chopped
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3/4 cup green olives
- 6 oz. salami, chopped
- 1/3 cup chopped pepperoncini
- 1/4 cup shredded or shaved parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley
Let’s do it!
- Cook your tortellini according to package instructions and let cool. You can get to chopping the other ingredients in the time it takes!
- In a small mixing bowl combine Italian bomba sauce, Italian dressing, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Add just 1 tbsp of Italian bomba sauce then taste and add more if you want it spicier.
- In a large mixing bowl combine the cooked tortellini, cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and salami.
- Add dressing mixture and toss to coat. Top with fresh chopped parsley if desired.
- Enjoy!
FAQs
Of course! I actually think my spicy tortellini pasta salad tastes better after some time in the fridge. The pasta is able to absorb more of the dressing and flavors, so I always recommend letting it chill for at least 45 minutes after throwing it together!
This should last for around 3 – 5 days in the refrigerator – simply transfer any leftovers into an airtight container! The tomatoes and cucumbers may begin to wilt after 2 days, so if you’re making this well in advance I’d recommend adding these closer to the time for best results.
Pasta salads are great because they’re super versatile, and can be adapted to suit your guests. For any gluten free guests, you can use GF tortellini, make sure you choose a GF salami and opt for a GF salad dressing. Trader Joe’s has some amazing options for all of these!
Other pasta salad recipes you will love:
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PrintSpicy Tortellini Pasta Salad
- Total Time: 15 mins
- Yield: 3–4 servings 1x
Description
Summer’s not over yet! My spicy tortellini pasta salad is full of flavor and makes for the perfect sunny day side dish. You can find all the ingredients at your local Trader Joe’s!
Ingredients
2 tbsp Trader Joe’s Italian Bomba sauce, or more/less to taste, or any Calabrian chili sauce
1 & 1/4 cup Italian dressing, or more/less to taste
Salt and pepper to taste
19-20 oz cooked cheese tortellini
3-4 Persian cucumbers, chopped
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
3/4 cup green olives
6 oz. salami, chopped
1/3 cup chopped pepperoncini
1/4 cup shredded or shaved parmesan cheese
1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl combine Italian bomba sauce, Italian dressing, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Add just 1 tbsp of Italian bomba sauce then taste and add more if you want it spicier.
- In a large mixing bowl combine tortellini, cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and salami.
- Add dressing mixture and toss to coat. Top with fresh chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
This should last for around 3 – 5 days in the refrigerator – simply transfer any leftovers into an airtight container! The tomatoes and cucumbers may begin to wilt after 2 days, so if you’re making this well in advance I’d recommend adding these closer to the time for best results.
Katie
Quick, easy, and oh so full of flavor!