Description
This Zesty Italian Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish, combining savory Italian sausage, tender cheese tortellini, crunchy pine nuts, and tangy sun-dried tomatoes. Tossed with a zesty Italian dressing and finished with Parmesan, it’s perfect as a side or a main for any occasion.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 pound sweet or spicy Italian sausage
- 12 ounces cheese tortellini
- 1/3 cup pine nuts
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, sliced
- 3 scallions, chopped
- 1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup zesty Italian salad dressing
Instructions
- Cook the Italian sausage in a skillet over medium heat until fully browned and cooked through. Remove from skillet, drain excess fat, and slice or crumble as desired.
- Cook the tortellini according to package instructions, drain, and set aside to cool slightly.
- Toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2–3 minutes until golden and fragrant, being careful not to burn them.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked sausage, tortellini, pine nuts, sun-dried tomatoes, and chopped scallions.
- Pour zesty Italian dressing over the salad and toss until all ingredients are well coated.
- Sprinkle shredded Parmesan cheese on top and gently mix before serving. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- For extra flavor, allow the salad to chill for 30 minutes before serving.
- You can substitute tortellini with other pasta shapes if desired.
- Add fresh basil or arugula for a green, fresh touch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 60mg