This tortellini salad is tossed with a Greek yogurt dressing, bacon, lettuce and tomato! Perfect BBQ food!
There is nothing quite like a homegrown tomato is there? I remember plucking juicy beef steak tomatoes right from my mom’s garden when I was a kid. I’d bite right into them like they were apples. I’d sprinkle a little salt onto each bite to bring out all the juices. Then I used the back of my hand to clear the juices and seeds from my chin. Those were heavenly snacks.
I do not have my own garden. We don’t have the yard for one. At least that’s the reason I give. The truth is, I have the blackest thumb around. Therefore, I have to wait until my parents leave for vacation so I can pilfer their garden while they are away! I’ll grab their peppers, lettuce, peaches and of course tomatoes! Especially those cherry tomatoes! My goodness those babies are like candy! I can pop an endless amount into my mouth and never feel satiated. I can always eat more.
Since my parents are NOT on vacation, I settle for the next best thing: my local Walmart where I know I’ll be greeted with a rainbow of fresh, flavorful Walmart produce. All my summertime favorites will be displayed there just tempting my tastebuds. It might be hard for me to not grab a plump tomato and bite right into it! Ok, I wouldn’t actually do that….until I got in the car anyway.
This time of year is all about BBQ’s, potlucks and picnics. Pasta salad is always the perfect side. This tortellini salad is dressed with a light and simple dressing made from tangy Greek yogurt. I added crispy bacon, tender spinach and of course lots of perfect little cherry tomatoes! Lucky for me, I found my favorite sweet, yellow tomatoes right there among all the Walmart produce!
I think I’m going to have to bring this tortellini salad to all my cookouts this weekend. I just hope no one notices me picking the tomatoes out of the salad. I’ll just have to use the back of my hand to wipe away the tell-tale tomato seeds from my chin
YOU SAY TOMATO, I SAY TOMATO
Strawberry Tomato Bruschetta
Green Bean Cherry Tomato Salad
BLT Tortellini Salad
This tortellini salad is tossed with a Greek yogurt dressing, bacon, lettuce and tomato!
Ingredients
- 1 19oz bag frozen cheese tortellini
- 1 cup torn, fresh spinach
- 1 cup yellow cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup red cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 strips cooked bacon, chopped
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon Ranch seasoning
- 2 cloves of garlic
Instructions
- Prepare tortellini according to package directions. Rinse in cold water and drain. Place in a large bowl. Add tomatoes, spinach and bacon to pasta.
- In a small bowl, whisk together yogurt, milk, garlic and ranch seasoning until smooth. Pour over pasta and toss to coat.
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats says
I grow more weeds than plants in my garden… I need to give up and admit defeat and just go to the store!! This looks like a perfect refreshing salad on a hot summer day!
Lemonsforlulu says
I admit defeat. I suck at gardening! Turns out the store has some good tomatoes!
Becca @ Crumbs and Chaos says
This looks like the perfect summer side dish! I love tomatoes 🙂
Lemonsforlulu says
I heart tomatoes too! Thanks Becca!
Tonia says
Fantastic! That could be a main dish for me!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
I love tortellini salads! Yours looks wonderful!
Lemonsforlulu says
Thank you Jessica!
Ed M says
You’ve GOT to be kidding. Just yesterday I agreed to take a pasta salad to a party on Saturday and was wondering what to take when I saw this recipe! From the lady who gave us the Blueberry Coffee Cake with Coconut Streusel? You are so on! I’ll let you know how it goes.
Lemonsforlulu says
Let me see if I can guess what recipe you need next and I’ll post it! Thank you Ed!
The Better Baker says
Oh how beautiful this salad is! Fresh tomatoes are my favorite summer veggie. You make everything look so inviting. Thanks much for sharing at Weekend Potluck – and for linking back.
Pauline Molinari says
Yum!!!! This looks amazing! Thanks for sharing your recipe on the Monday Funday Party! Can’t wait to try it out!
Cathy@LemonTreeDwelling says
This looks like the perfect summer pasta salad and I love that the dressing is made with Greek yogurt! And thank goodness for parents’ gardens, right?? I rely on my parents for tomatoes, too!
The Better Baker says
Wanted you to know this awesome recipe is one of our features at this week’s Weekend Potluck party. Thank you SO much for sharing…you have all of us drooling! Please be sure and come back again…and again. http://thebetterbaker.blogspot.com/2014/07/kid-friendly-ice-cream-in-bag-weekend.html
Lemonsforlulu says
Yay! Thank you so much Marsha!