Elevate your pasta salad game with this vibrant Tortellini Salad with Thai Dressing—a fusion of Italian comfort and bold Thai flavors that's perfect as either a main course or side dish. Juicy cheese tortellini is tossed with a colorful medley of fresh veggies like crisp cucumbers, red bell peppers, shredded red cabbage, and julienned carrots, bringing a refreshing crunch to every bite. The star of the dish is the creamy, tangy Thai-inspired dressing, made with soy sauce, lime juice, peanut butter, sesame oil, honey, and aromatic notes of ginger and garlic, all finished with a hint of optional chili flakes for a touch of heat. Topped with fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, and crunchy peanuts, this quick and easy salad is ready in just 30 minutes and perfect for meal prep, picnics, or family gatherings. Whether served chilled or straight out of the bowl, this dish promises a bold, refreshing twist on a classic favorite.
Cook the tortellini according to the package instructions. Once tender, drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside.
While the tortellini is cooking, prepare the vegetables. Dice the red bell pepper and cucumber, julienne the carrot, shred the red cabbage, chop the cilantro, and slice the green onions.
In a small mixing bowl, combine soy sauce, lime juice, peanut butter, sesame oil, honey, grated ginger, minced garlic, and red chili flakes (if using). Whisk until smooth and well combined to make the Thai dressing.
In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked tortellini, prepared vegetables, and chopped peanuts. Pour the Thai dressing over the salad.
Toss everything together gently until the tortellini and vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
Taste the salad and adjust seasoning if needed. You can add a little more lime juice for acidity or a pinch of salt to enhance flavor.
Serve immediately as a main course or a side dish, or chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together before serving.
Calories |
1719 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 67.6 g | 87% | |
| Saturated Fat | 18.6 g | 93% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 7.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 145 mg | 48% | |
| Sodium | 2608 mg | 113% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 219.7 g | 80% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 23.2 g | 83% | |
| Total Sugars | 30.4 g | ||
| Protein | 72.0 g | 144% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 728 mg | 56% | |
| Iron | 10.6 mg | 59% | |
| Potassium | 1947 mg | 41% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.