Weight Watchers Tortellini Salad is a delicious side dish, and it’s packed with fresh ingredients. At just 3 WW points per serving, it’s definitely a must-try recipe!
I love this recipe because the cheesy tortellini are delicious on their own, but they become a whole new level of yummy when paired with all of the other ingredients. The recipe is also a fun spin on pasta salad since tortellini has a different shape and gives such a unique look. In terms of flavor, the arugula has peppery undertones that balance the rich cheese filling in the pasta. Then, you have tangy red onions and black olives, juicy tomatoes, and nutty artichokes. It truly is a lovely balance of flavor and textures.
I used Italian dressing to finish the salad off, but you are welcome to use any type of dressing you prefer. You can make your own or use a lightened-up, sugar-free, or low-fat version of your favorite dressing. You can also enjoy this as a side or main dish. I suggest serving it as a side for gatherings, but it also works wonderfully for a cold lunch if you enjoy a larger portion. It’s packed with nutrition from all of the veggies and leafy greens. Also, this dish is naturally vegetarian, so if you enjoy this one, you might like my other recipes from my vegetarian recipe collection.
Why You Should Try This Recipe
- It’s fresh. This recipe has many fresh ingredients and flavors, making it the perfect accompaniment for assorted dishes.
- It’s great for gatherings. Since this salad has 12 servings, it is ideal for serving at small parties, and you can easily adjust the ratios to make more or less.
- You can make it your own. Change up the salad dressing or add other mix-ins to complement the salad.
Recipe Overview
- Serving Size: about ¾ cup (108g)
- Number of Servings: 12
- Time to Cook: 10 minutes, plus 4 hours resting time
- WW Points Per Recipe: 3 WW points per serving (Click here to view the recipe in the WW app. WW login is required)
Ingredients in Weight Watchers Tortellini Salad
- 19 oz Cheese tortellini, fresh or frozen
- 10 oz container Grape or cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered
- 1 ¾ cup Fresh arugula
- 1 can (2.25 oz) Black olives, sliced
- ½ cup Red onion, sliced
- 1 can (14 oz) Artichokes, quartered
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- 6 tbsp Light Italian dressing (or more to taste)
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 ½ tsp Fresh garlic, minced
Instructions for Making Weight Watchers Tortellini Salad
- Cook the tortellini according to package instructions and drain. Rinse with cold water and allow to cool slightly. Meanwhile, chop the necessary ingredients.
2. Mix everything together in a large bowl except for the dressing. Add the dressing last and gently fold to coat all of the ingredients. Adjust seasonings and add more dressing to taste if preferred. The amount of dressing needed might vary.
3. Cover and place in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight until everything is thoroughly chilled. Stir and adjust the seasonings/dressing once more if needed before serving.
Variations and Substitutions
- Reduce The Points: You can experiment with different dressings and tortellini to see if you can lower the points some more. Or simply serve it in smaller portions!
- Additional Mix-Ins: Some more yummy mix-in ideas include banana peppers, bell peppers, yellow onion, spinach, mozzarella balls, parmesan, or pesto.
- Add Meat: You can add salami, diced ham, or another type of meat to the salad if you would like to bulk it up more. Remember to adjust the points in the WW app.
Tips and Tricks for Making Weight Watchers Tortellini Salad
- Be careful not to overcook the pasta! You don’t want the tortellini to become too mushy when it gets mixed with the dressing and other ingredients in the salad.
- Make sure to season the salad again after it rests. The flavors meld while the salad chills, but you should still taste it one more time before serving to ensure it has enough salt and herbs. Depending on the dressing you use, it might need more flavor.
- How to store tortellini salad: Keep this salad covered in the refrigerator. It is best enjoyed within 2-3 days. This dish does not freeze well.
Related Recipes
Weight Watchers Tortellini Salad
Ingredients
- 19 oz Cheese tortellini, fresh or frozen
- 10 oz container Grape or cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered
- 1 ¾ cup Fresh arugula
- 1 can, 2.25 oz Black olives, sliced
- ½ cup Red onion, sliced
- 1 can, 14 oz Artichokes, quartered
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- 6 tbsp Light Italian dressing (or more to taste), I used Skinnygirl brand
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 ½ tsp Fresh garlic, minced
Instructions
- Cook the tortellini according to package instructions and drain. Rinse with cold water and allow to cool slightly. Meanwhile, chop the necessary ingredients.
- Mix everything (including seasonings) together in a large bowl except for the dressing. Add the dressing last and gently fold to coat all of the ingredients. Adjust seasonings and add more dressing to taste if preferred. The amount of dressing needed might vary.
- Cover and place in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight until everything is thoroughly chilled. Stir and adjust the seasonings/dressing once more if needed before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
