Bacon Tortellini Salad

I love pasta salads and will be sharing some through out the month.  What is great about pasta salads?  They can be a meal on their own or a side dish.  They are perfect for pot-lucks and to serve on a hot summer night.  You can keep it all veggies or add meat such as chicken, bacon, salami the possibilities are endless.

Bacon Tortellini Salad

1 package of Buitoni Tortellini (I used the Three Cheese Tortellini)

1 cucumber, peeled and diced

1 orange bell pepper, diced

3 stalk celery, diced

1 cup cilantro, rough chop

1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, cut in half

1/2 purple onion, diced

8 sliced of cooked bacon

Dressing

1/2 cup olive oil

2/3 cup red wine vinegar

1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 1/2 tablespoons bacon drippings

1 1/2 tablespoons country dijon mustard

2 tablespoons agave

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

Place all ingredients in a mason jar and shake until incorporated.  Let sit for 30 minutes to allow flavors to marry.

Cook Tortellini according to package, drain and allow to cool to the touch.  Cut up all the vegetables no larger than the tortellini and place in a large bowl.  Cut up bacon and add to bowl along with tortellini. Pour dress over tortellini and toss until the tortellini and vegetables are coated in the dressing.  Cover and refrigerate for a couple hours.

Until Next Time,
Pam