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Cheese Tortellini Caesar Pasta Salad

Cheese Tortellini Caesar Pasta Salad

This Cheese Tortellini Caesar Pasta Salad combines the cheesy goodness of fresh tortellini with the crisp, refreshing elements of a classic Caesar salad. Tossed in a creamy dressing and topped with crunchy croutons and savory parmesan, it’s a crowdsourcing favorite for potlucks and summer BBQs.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 415

Ingredients
  

Salad Components
  • 20 oz cheese tortellini fresh or frozen
  • 2 heads romaine lettuce chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes halved
  • 0.5 cup shredded parmesan cheese high quality recommended
  • 1 cup garlic butter croutons
Dressing and Seasoning
  • 1 cup creamy Caesar dressing bottled or homemade
  • 1 tsp black pepper freshly cracked
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the cheese tortellini according to the package instructions until al dente.
  2. Drain the tortellini and immediately rinse under cold running water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking. Set aside to cool completely.
  3. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the Caesar dressing, lemon juice, garlic powder, and cracked black pepper to create the dressing base.
  4. In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce and halved grape tomatoes.
  5. Add the cooled tortellini to the salad bowl. Pour the dressing over the ingredients and toss gently to ensure everything is evenly coated.
  6. Sprinkle with shredded parmesan cheese and garlic butter croutons just before serving to maintain the crunch of the croutons.
  7. Serve immediately at room temperature or chilled.

Notes

To make this a full meal, add grilled sliced chicken breast or chilled shrimp. If preparing ahead of time, store the dressing and croutons separately and toss right before serving to prevent the lettuce from wilting.
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