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    Home » Recipes

    Broccoli Tortellini Salad

    Published: Jun 1, 2012 · Modified: Jul 7, 2023 by Ang Paris · Leave a Comment
    This post may contain affiliate links·

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    Looking for a quick and easy side? This Broccoli Tortellini Salad is perfect!
    Total Time 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes
    Jump to Recipe Add to Favorites Go to Collections

    Broccoli Tortellini Salad loaded with lightly steamed broccoli, cheese tortellini, crispy bacon, chewy dried cherries, fresh basil and grated parmesan cheese tossed in a light red wine vinaigrette is a delicious side dish!

    Jump to:
    • 🧂 Ingredients
    • Equipment
    • 🔪Instructions
    • ⏲️ Storage
    • 😋 Similar Recipes
    • Broccoli Tortellini Salad
    • 💬 Comments

    My husband's family had a barbecue over the long weekend to celebrate both Memorial Day, and his grandparent's 66th wedding anniversary. Can you imagine being married for 66 years?? 

    So there I was staring at the contents of the refrigerator and trying to come up with a side dish we could bring when my gaze landed on leftover steamed broccoli and a package of tortellini and instantly 'pasta salad' popped into my head.

    My husband loves salads of every imaginable combination. And his family is Italian - I mean, really Italian, which means it's olive oil and vinegar, not mayo, that's coming to the party. Given all this, I decided to wrangle my husband into helping me prepare this salad, which ended up being a big hit.

    🧂 Ingredients

    Here is what you will need to make this broccoli tortellini salad recipe:

    • Bacon
    • fresh tortellini
    • broccoli
    • large sweet vidalia onion
    • red wine vinegar
    • olive oil
    • granulated garlic (garlic powder)
    • dried cherries
    • salt and pepper
    • fresh basil leaves
    • fresh parmesan cheese

    Dried cherries may seem like an odd addition. You can leave them out or substitute them for cranberries if you like. The sweet-tartness of the dried cherries with the crunch and bite of the onion really made a great impact in the flavor.

    Don't skip the fresh basil. I did mention these folks are really Italian, right? Not only does it add so much flavor, but it also has a great significant meaning. Did you know that in Italy, basil means love? What better ingredient for a salad at a cookout to celebrate 66 years of marriage!

    So back to the cooking... if you're having your husband help (and even if you're not), I suggest that when you cook your bacon, you add a couple extra slices for munching... I mean, really, who can resist hot crispy bacon?? Once the bacon cools, chop into small pieces and reserve half.

    Equipment

    Be sure to check out my Juggling Act Mama Storefront on Amazon where you'll find all kinds of great products to make your life easier!  Thanks so much for being a part of Juggling Act Mama ❤

    • Large Mixing Bowl
    • Liquid Measuring Cup
    • Dry Measuring Cups
    • Measuring Spoons

    🔪Instructions

    This is meant to be a brief overview of the Broccoli Tortellini Salad recipe. For step-by-step instructions and a full printable recipe card with ingredients, please scroll down to the teal box below or Jump to Recipe.

    1. Steam the broccoli until al dente, drain and rinse with cold water and set aside.
    2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil with a dash of salt and cook the pasta according to the directions on the package. Drain and rinse with cold water and set aside to cool.
    3. While you wait for the water to boil, roughly chop the dried cherries, finely chop the onion and thinly chop the fresh basil.
    4. Cook and cool the bacon. Once the bacon cools, chop into small pieces and reserve half.
    5. In a large bowl, toss together the pasta and the broccoli. Add the oil, vinegar and seasonings, toss to coat. Add all the onions, cherries, and cheese and half the bacon.
    6. Refrigerate for 1 hour so the flavors meld. Just before serving, add the reserved bacon. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Enjoy!

    ⏲️ Storage

    This will store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days. (These are my favorite containers!)

    😋 Similar Recipes

    If you love quick and easy salad side dishes, check out some of these tasty recipes:

    • ham and pasta salad
    • BLT pasta salad
    • watermelon salad
    • loaded potato salad
    • Buffalo chicken pasta salad
    • Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad in a serving bowl.
    • BLT Pasta Salad Recipe in a bowl with wooden serving utensils.
    • Close up of Loaded Potato Salad with cheese, green onions, and bacon.
    See more Pasta and Potato Salads →
    • Top down view of Fruit Salad With Orange Dressing in a clear bowl.
    • Close up of a bowl of Honey Lime Fruit Salad.
    See more Fruit Salads →

    Not ready to make our Broccoli Tortellini Salad yet?

    Don’t forget to pin this recipe for later! When you do make it, please be sure to tag me on Instagram @jugglingactmama or #jugglingactmama – I’d love to see your pictures! And finally, if you get a chance, please comment and leave me a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below!

    Broccoli Tortellini Salad

    Looking for a quick and easy side? This Broccoli Tortellini Salad is perfect!
    Add to Your Recipe BoxGo to Collections
    No ratings yet
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    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Broccoli Tortellini Salad
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Resting Time: 1 hour hour
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 517kcal
    Author: Ang Paris

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Equipment

    • Large Mixing Bowl
    • Liquid Measuring Cup
    • Dry Measuring Cups
    • Measuring Spoons

    Ingredients

    • 6 slices bacon
    • 1 package tortellini fresh
    • 4 ½ cups broccoli steamed
    • ½ sweet vidalia onion
    • ½ cup red wine vinegar
    • ½ cup olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon Garlic Romano seasoning
    • 1 cup dried cherries
    • 2 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon pepper
    • 1-2 tablespoon fresh basil
    • ½ cup parmesan cheese fresh
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    Instructions

    • Steam the broccoli until al dente, drain and rinse with cold water and set aside.
    • Bring a large pot of water to a boil with a dash of salt and cook the pasta according to the directions on the package. Drain and rinse with cold water and set aside to cool.
    • While you wait for the water to boil, roughly chop the dried cherries, finely chop the onion and thinly chop the fresh basil.
    • Cook and cool the bacon. Once the bacon cools, chop into small pieces and reserve half.
    • In a large bowl, toss together the pasta and the broccoli. Add the oil, vinegar and seasonings, toss to coat. Add all the onions, cherries, and cheese and half the bacon.
    • Refrigerate for 1 hour so the flavors meld. Just before serving, add the reserved bacon. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Enjoy!

    For best results, be sure to check our Tips and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help your delicious recipe come out perfectly.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 517kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 18g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 1269mg | Potassium: 313mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 1235IU | Vitamin C: 62mg | Calcium: 220mg | Iron: 2mg
    Please Note: I am not a registered dietician. Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.
    Tried this recipe? Pin It for Later!Mention @jugglingactmama or tag #jugglingactmama!

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    Welcome! I'm Ang - the Juggling Act Mama! I love sharing quick and easy recipes, creative DIY projects, and fun family travel with you. Like many of you, I am a multi-tasking mama juggling priorities which is why here I offer solutions to tame your hectic lifestyle.

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