If you need a go-to summer time pasta salad that everyone will love….

Look no further. This is the one!

Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad has been the one dish I know I can put together quickly. It transports easily, please everyone and I always wish I had made a double batch!

There’s something so addicting about the submarine dressing. It’s tangy and herby. The traditional Italian flavors keep them coming back for more.

I start with a batch of homemade Submarine Dressing. This go-to dressing is packed with oil, vinegar and herbs. It delivers that classic Italian sub flavor to this pasta salad.

If time permits, I marinate the mozzarella pearls (you could easily cube up fresh mozzarella for this) for a couple hours to boost them with herby flavor too.

For this Father’s Day weekend, if you’re looking for a hearty pasta salad that dads and kids alike will love, give this one a try!

What’s in your go-to pasta salad? I’d love for you to comment below.

Don’t forget to follow us @LemonyThyme on Instagram and Facebook! And check out our latest TikTok videos and Pinterest boards too!

All my best,
xo Libby

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Italian Tortellini Salad

If you need a go-to summer time pasta salad that everyone will love….look no further. This Italian Tortellini Salad is bursting with fun flavors like fresh basil, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni.

Course Pasta, Side Dish

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Marinate Mozzarella (optional) 2 hours hours

Servings 8

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

• 1 20 ounce package fresh cheese tortellini can sub frozen
• 1 8 ounce package mozzarella pearls or cubed fresh mozzarella
• 6 ounces sliced pepperoni cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 6 ounce can small pitted black ripe olives
• 10 ounces cherry tomatoes halved
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves torn
• 1 recipe submarine dressing recipe link in post

Instructions

• Prepare tortellini according to package instructions. Allow to cool before preparing salad. Prepare Submarine Dressing (recipe link in post). Place mozzarella in a jar and cover with dressing, allow to marinate for 1-2 hours (optional). Toss cooled tortellini with remaining ingredients. Chill or serve at room temperature.

This Italian Pasta Salad is equally delicious made with bowtie (or your favorite) pasta!!

The post Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad My Go-To Family Favorite appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

I love a party where everyone brings an appetizer to share.  Such a great way to sample new recipes.  When we get the whole family together to celebrate a birthday this has become our favorite kind of meal.  I made Antipasto Skewers to share at our last get together.  They were fun to eat and easy to make.

Lay out all your ingredients in the order you want to skewer them and let the assembly begin.

What’s your favorite Appetizer or Finger Food?  I’m always looking for recipe inspiration and would love to recreate YOUR favorites.

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Antipasto Skewers {a fun & easy party food}

Servings 12

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

• 1 lb. tortellini cooked al dente
• 1 can colossal ripe olives drained
• 1 jar marinated mushrooms drained. Marinade reserved.
• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cubed
• 1/2 lb. hard salami sliced thin
• 1/2 lb. pepperoni sliced thin
• 1/2 cup Italian dressing plus marinade liquid from mushrooms
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• 24 fresh basil leaves
• 24 wooden skewers

Instructions

• Cook tortellini according to package instructions. Then drain and run under cold water. Toss tortellini with Italian dressing and reserved mushroom marinade. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• To assemble skewers, place ingredients in order then slide onto skewers.

The post Antipasto Skewers {a fun & easy party food} appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

Have I got a great new soup recipe for you.  If you LOVE Italian Wedding Soup as much as we do, you’re going to adore this Lemon, Tortellini & Meatball Soup.

After enjoying Greek Whole Roasted Chicken seasoned with lemon, garlic & oregano it seemed only fitting to turn the yummy homemade chicken broth infused with those flavors into a Greek inspired soup aka Lemon, Tortellini & Meatball Soup.

This recipe builds in plenty of flavor infusion so don’t worry if you’re starting with plain chicken broth, the soup will be absolutely delicious.

To begin, make up a batch of chicken meatballs, seasoned with lemon zest, fresh rosemary and dried oregano.  Brown these off in batches in a Dutch oven, then reserve them to finish cooking in your glorious broth.

As with many of our favorite soup recipes, a classic mirepoix is a wonderful place to begin.  Once sautéed and tender, the broth is added along with additional seasonings, including fresh lemon juice and zest.  Just like a squeeze of fresh lime juice gives Mexican Chicken Soup it’s signature flavor, fresh lemon juice is paramount in this Lemon, Tortellini & Meatball Soup.

About 10 minutes before you are ready to serve, add the tortellini and meatballs to the pot and allow to simmer until cooked through.  For the best results, add the fresh spinach leaves just before serving along with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and flat leaf parsley.  I shared Lemon, Tortellini & Meatball Soup today at lunch and my taste-testers gave the Mmmm Mmmm Good stamp of approval!

Tip:  If you are not going to eat all the soup at the first sitting, I recommend only adding enough tortellini for the portions you need.  OR do as I did, which was to add it all, but then remove the extra tortellini with a slotted spoon to refrigerate in a separate container.  This kept them from sucking up all the good broth and turning into mush.  I added them back into the soup pot when reheated for lunch.  Worked great.

The post Lemon, Tortellini & Meatball Soup appeared first on Lemony Thyme.