This tortellini apple salad is one of my favorite salads to make during the warm summer months! It is filling and fresh and very delicious!
If you love salads with pasta in them, you have to try this BLT Pasta Salad, Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad and my favorite Pasta Salad with Italian dressing.
Tortellini Summer Salad
A couple years ago we attended a summer luncheon hosted by some close friends. Many of our friends in attendance were ranting and raving about an amazing tortellini apple salad that someone had brought. Much to all of our dismay, this particular guest refused to give any of us her recipe. (I hate when people do this)
After many attempts, one of my friends was finally able to get her to crack and she sent her the recipe. BUT she was then sworn to secrecy and to this day refuses to give it out! (Again, I hate it when people do this)
Fast forward to last year when my parents hosted a BBQ and I was in charge of bringing a salad. I wanted so badly to bring this tortellini Salad, I called my friend, begged her to break her promise, and when she wouldn’t let up, I decided to figure it out for myself! I came up with THIS apple tortellini salad with a homemade dressing and it is even better than I remember!
I am here today to SHARE it with all of you, because sharing is what nice people do! Please enjoy!!! This tortellini salad is super easy to make and you can enjoy it all summer long!
How To Make An Apple Tortellini Salad
Cook The Pasta – You’ll want to first start by cooking the tortellini according to the directions on the package. Once the pasta is done cooking, you’ll want to drain it and then let it cool completely.
Dressing – The key to this delicious tortellini salad is the homemade dressing. If no one would judge me, I’d drink this straight from the bottle.;) Simply mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl until they have all fully combine. Cover the dressing and then put it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
Compile – Place the tortellini and all of the salad ingredients into a large bowl and give everything a good mix. Add the dressing and then gently toss everything to coat and then serve it immediately.
Recipe Variation & Tips
Timing Is Everything – You don’t want to preparing everything too soon before serving this salad. If you prep it too far in advance, the apples and strawberries will make everything else a little soggy. The same is true for the dressing. Wait until you’re ready to serve the salad before adding the dressing.
Using Other Pastas – I have also made this tortellini salad with bow tie pasta and shell pasta when I didn’t have any tortellini on-hand. This slight variation is also super delicious!
Cooking Tip – I like to use a spill stopper lid while boiling the pasta so I can concentrate on prepping everything else. This has saved me so many times, it’s my new favorite kitchen gadget.
More Easy Summer Salads
- Best Classic Cobb Salad Recipe
- Garden Salad With Creamy Italian Dressing
- Potato & Arugula Salad
- Easy Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe
- Best Ever Homemade Egg Salad
Tortellini Apple Salad Recipe
Ingredients
For The Dressing
- 6 Tbs. frozen concentrated apple juice
- 6 Tbs. corn syrup
- 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
- 4 tsp. brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp. garlic salt
- Dash pepper
For The Salad
- 18 oz frozen cheese tortellini, 2 packages
- 4 C. green apples, chopped
- 4 C. romaine lettuce, shredded
- 2 C. strawberries, sliced
- 1/4 C. celery, thin sliced
- 1/4 C. green onions, sliced
- 2 Tbs. walnuts
Instructions
- Combine apple juice concentrate, corn syrup, vinegar, sugar, garlic salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate.
- Cook the cheese tortellini according to package directions. Drain and cool thoroughly.
- In large mixing bowl combine tortellini and remaining ingredients.
- Toss gently with apple juice dressing and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Other Notes
This post originally publish on Somewhat Simple in July 2010
This looks delicious! Here is a similar recipe that I LOVE. You might enjoy as well! It makes a ton though so cut recipe by quite a bit!
Yum! Love a good summer salad!
Drives me nuts when people do this! Is there anything you could substitute for the corn syrup? Seems weird to put that in a salad, but I'd love to try this.
Yum-o! I will totally be trying this. I can't believe they wouldn't share the recipe with you, at least you found a good one online.
Now when I make it I will tell everyone about Steph's Cold Tortellini Apple Salad. 🙂
PS – So fun to see you last night! So nice to have some buddies to chat with.
That sounds and looks delicious! Thank you for sharing.
I don't get why people refuse to share the recipe…I feel like it's the highest of compliments when someone wants to pass along greatness to others. Psh.
Hi there! I stumbled across your blog and it's so cute! I can't wait to try this recipe! Happy Wednesday 🙂
Oh my gosh, I totally agree about the recipe sharing thing. It seriously bugs me SO MUCH! I had someone do that with cheesecake so finally I started trying my own recipes and now, after some trial and error, I think mine is better. Too bad I don't work with her anymore to rub it in her face!
Yum! Glad I haven't gone grocery shopping yet today…this will be for dinner tonight! Thanks for sharing. 😉
Yum!!
That salad looks yummy. I will definitely try it. I think good food is something to share so I get frustrated with people who want to keep recipes to themselves. I work with a woman who does that and I think it is sad.
Looks yummy!
That is funny! Glad you share! That happened to me once and I finally got the recipe. I had to promise not to share it in that area. We moved and now I pass it around freely. I share too!
This sounds fantastic, I'm passing it on to the chef. Thanks for sharing!
that looks delish!!! and thanks for sharing. i can't stand when people do that, either. it's just a recipe, folks, and now with the internet, you can find almost any recipe if you look hard enough!
that looks delish!!! and thanks for sharing. i can't stand when people do that, either. it's just a recipe, folks, and now with the internet, you can find almost any recipe if you look hard enough!
Oh! this is one of my favorites!! In fact I'm making it this weekend for a gathering. YUM, can't wait!
btw – I'd have shared the recipe : )