Italian Tortellini Salad

Italian Tortellini Salad was born from my husband, Big D's favorite things. He loves Pepperoni and Salami but not salad so much. So while trying to incorporate more vegetables into our diet, we came up with this. Eating healthy is about balance. You can add in some things that you love and some that are healthy and end up with an enjoyable meal.

Just like our take on BBQ PULLED PORK or our version of BANANA ICE CREAM, we show you how you can have the best of both worlds. Eating healthy and eating GOOD!

So in doing all of the prep for this it was like the salad was a base for all of the ideas I had rambling around in my head. I chopped the meats and lettuce and tomatoes and just started pulling out what I had in the fridge. A kitchen sink salad of sorts, Italian style! Here is what I landed on.

• 3 cups green leaf lettuce
• 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
• ½ cup chopped pepperoni
• ½ cup chopped hard salami
• ¼ cup chopped red onion(of course!)
• 1 pound package frozen cheese tortellini, cooked to package directions
• ¼ cup shaved parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup mozzarella cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped basil

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and cool. Chop all veggies and meats. Combine in a large bowl with pasta and toss. This dressing is a great one to use that is light and very tasty. You don’t need much because the salami and pepperoni have so much flavor.

• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• salt and pepper to taste
• ½ cup olive oil

Mix all ingredients well for dressing and pour over salad and toss until all is covered.

That is simple. First, you leave out the cooked cheese tortellini and substitute with quinoa or riced cauliflower. Second, you use turkey pepperoni only and you have a great lower carb option.

Yes, any Italian dressing will do. I prefer to make my own because I believe that is a good skill to have but whatever gets you cooking is what works the best!

Yes. Any hearty lettuce that can withstand the dressing is a good option. I love dark greens because they are better for you and color is my jam when eating. We eat with our eyes first!

So now my cravings were satisfied. And in a smidge healthier way than if I had eaten pizza. I think that is a win! So, try this salad on for size. It is the kind of salad that will leave you full as a tick and satisfied like no other salad can do. Even Big D likes it!

Enjoy!

Stuff We Used!