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Tuscan Tortellini Pasta Salad

ByDiane Gail March 20, 2026July 7, 2026 Updated onJuly 7, 2026

Tuscan tortellini pasta salad is a hearty Italian-inspired pasta salad made with cheese tortellini, salami, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and parmesan tossed in a creamy balsamic dressing. Served chilled, it’s an easy make-ahead side dish that’s equally at home at picnics, potlucks, cookouts, and family dinners.

Tuscan tortellini pasta salad with spinach, salami, and sun-dried tomatoes in a wooden bowl.

Bring Tuscany to your pasta salad

I created this Italian-style tortellini pasta salad to bring along on outdoor picnics. My thinking was that the hearty cheese tortellini would make the salad feel a little more satisfying than the typical pasta sides — and that idea turned out to be spot on.

Cheese tortellini gives this style of pasta salad an advantage that plain pasta simply can’t. Instead of acting as a neutral base, each piece contributes its own rich, cheesy flavor, creating a salad that’s more satisfying and substantial without requiring a long list of additional ingredients. That’s one of the reasons tortellini pasta salads have become such a popular choice for make-ahead meals, potlucks, and casual entertaining.

When you’re planning a picnic table with a few different options, this salad fits right in with sides like classic potato salad, homemade caramel applesauce, and traditional cabbage coleslaw.

Recipe ingredients

All ingredients for this recipe are shown in the pic below and special notes are made in this bulleted list to assist you.

Bowls of tortellini, spinach, salami, sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, mayonnaise, parmesan, garlic, salt, and pepper.

Cheese tortellini: Cheese-filled tortellini forms the base of this pasta salad and gives it the hearty bite that makes the dish more satisfying than other pasta salad sides. Refrigerated tortellini from the deli or pasta section tends to have the best texture for cold salads.
Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise forms the base of the dressing and helps coat the tortellini and other ingredients evenly. If you prefer homemade staples, mayonnaise made from scratch adds a rich, clean flavor.
Salami: A good-quality deli salami adds savory depth and a slightly salty contrast to the creamy dressing and pasta. Traditional Italian-style salami works especially well with the other ingredients in this salad.
Fresh spinach: Fresh spinach adds color and a mild leafy element that balances the richer ingredients like tortellini, salami, and mayonnaise.
Sun-dried tomatoes: Sun-dried tomatoes bring a bold tomato presence and a chewy texture that stand out against the tender pasta. Oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes are the easiest to slice and distribute through the salad.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to make Tuscan tortellini pasta salad

Small bowl of balsamic mayonnaise dressing with visible pepper on white wooden surface.

Spinach mixed with balsamic mayonnaise dressing in wooden bowl on white wooden surface.

Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, mayonnaise, grated parmesan cheese, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until the dressing is smooth and fully combined.

Step 2: Place the chopped spinach in a large mixing bowl. Pour the dressing over the spinach, and mix until the leaves are evenly coated.

Salami, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach mixed with creamy dressing in wooden bowl on white wooden surface.

Bowl of tortellini pasta salad with spinach, diced salami, and sun-dried tomatoes on white wooden surface.

Step 3: Add the chopped salami and sun-dried tomatoes to the bowl and mix again, so they are evenly combined with the dressed spinach.

Step 4: Add the cheese tortellini and gently toss until the pasta is evenly coated with the dressing and the ingredients are well distributed throughout the salad.

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Top tips

Give the salad time to rest before serving: After the salad is mixed, letting it sit in the refrigerator for a short period allows the dressing to settle into the tortellini and other ingredients. This resting time helps the flavors come together and makes the salad taste more balanced when served.
Cut the salami and sun-dried tomatoes into bite-size pieces: Smaller pieces are easier to eat in a forkful with the tortellini and other ingredients.
Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes when possible: Oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes tend to have a softer texture and are easier to mix into pasta salads. They also blend smoothly with the dressing and distribute more evenly throughout the bowl.
Toss the salad gently when mixing: A light toss helps keep the tortellini intact and prevents the pasta from breaking apart while the ingredients are combined.
Taste and adjust seasoning before serving: Chilling a pasta salad can slightly mute the seasoning. Before serving, give the salad a quick toss and taste it. A small pinch of salt, a little bit of black pepper, or some extra parmesan can brighten the flavors if needed.
Make it your own: This salad is easy to customize. Try adding marinated artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, fresh mozzarella pearls, or substitute grilled chicken for the salami.

Serve

This Tuscan tortellini pasta salad is hearty enough to stand on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with sandwiches for an easy meal. Serve it alongside a classic chicken parm sandwich, a cheesy BBQ chicken sandwich, or a chicken salad sandwich with a spicy kick which makes it easy to put-together a simple lunch or casual dinner at home too.

It also makes an excellent side dish for hearty main courses. Try serving it with homemade meatloaf in a skillet, homemade baked chicken, crispy garlic parmesan chicken tenders, or spicy grilled chicken thighs for a complete, satisfying meal.