This tortellini pasta salad is everything you want in a summer side dish. It’s fresh, flavorful, and incredibly easy to throw together. Loaded with tender cheese tortellini, savory salami, juicy tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella, it’s a simple recipe that always disappears fast.

We make it just as often for lunch the next day as we do for a side dish. And honestly, I actually make this is as our main dish quite often during the summer. It’s so fast and fresh and doesn’t heat up the house. It is a winner!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Summers are all about pasta salad recipes and this easy tortellini pasta salad is fresh, flavorful, perfect for hot summer days and done in just 15 minutes! Here is what you need:

• Cheese Tortellini: the hearty base that makes this salad extra satisfying
• Kosher Salt: adds flavor to the pasta as it cooks
• Mozzarella (marinated): adds a savory, salty bite
• Salami: bring creaminess and built-in flavor
• Black Olives: add a rich, salty bite that brings a classic Italian flavor to the salad
• Cherry or Grape Tomatoes: fresh and juicy
• Red and Orange Bell Peppers: add a sweet, crisp crunch and bright color
• English Cucumbers: add a fresh, cool crunch with a mild flavor
• Red Onion: adds a sharp bite and a little zing to balance the flavors
• Fresh Basil: bright, herby finish
• Italian Dressing: adds a tangy, herby flavor that ties everything together

How to Make Tortellini Pasta Salad

Don’t blink because you might miss this…

1. Cook the tortellini: Bring a pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add tortellini and cook until they float to the top. Drain and let cool.
2. Combine ingredients: Once cooled, add tortellini to a large bowl with salami, mozzarella (including oil and herbs), tomatoes, and basil.
3. Toss and serve: Gently toss everything together until well combined. Season with salt to taste and serve.

👉 Serve immediately or chill for later—this pasta salad is delicious either way.

Variations and Substitutions

This tortellini s

For years now, these tender, juicy Broiled Chicken Thighs have been one of my go-to meals on my busiest evenings. With just a few ingredients, and even fewer steps, I can prep a meal that my whole family loves in about fifteen minutes from start to finish.

Chicken thighs are one of my family’s go-to protein choices when we need a dinner that’s satisfying and low-effort. I’ve been making these Oven Baked Boneless Chicken Thighs about as long as I can remember for that very reason! And while that recipe is still a fixture in our house, sometimes you need to get something on the table a little faster. That’s where these thighs come in.

Broiled Chicken Thighs

I have to confess something. I wasn’t a really great cook from the start. My husband can tell you that I started at whatever is below level zero in the kitchen skills department (seriously, I once boiled chicken before baking it–oof).

The broiler can be a little intimidating, but I promise you that it isn’t as hard as you think it might be. Everything in this recipe can be done even by a first-time cook, from preparing to cooking to serving, and it takes just 15 minutes.

Almost more of a method than recipe, this is something I make at least once or twice a month. Change up the spices however you like once you have the broiler method down and you’ll have a whole new way to cook chicken at your fingertips!

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Father’s Day is all about celebrating Dad, and let’s be honest, the best way to do that is with really good food. From juicy steaks and BBQ favorites to easy sides and indulgent desserts, these Father’s Day recipes are perfect for backyard cookouts, family dinners, or a laid-back day at home. If you’re wondering what to cook for Father’s Day, you’re in the right place.

Main Event: Grilling & BBQ Favorites

Fire up the grill—these bold, smoky, flavor-packed recipes are perfect for a Father’s Day feast. From juicy steaks to slow-smoked classics, these are the main dishes Dad really wants.

If you’re looking for a salad that actually keeps you full, this Grilled Chicken Salad is it. Tender grilled chicken, creamy avocado, sweet grilled corn, crunchy roasted chickpeas, and queso fresco are tossed together with a zesty homemade southwest ranch dressing for a salad that’s hearty enough to be dinner.

It’s fresh, colorful, packed with protein, and loaded with bold Southwest flavors in every bite. Whether you’re meal prepping lunches or serving dinner on a warm summer night, this is one of those salads everyone gets excited to eat.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Don’t let the ingredient list fool you—everything in this southwest salad with roasted chickpeas is easy to find and worth every bite.

Roasted Chickpeas

• Chickpeas: Also called garbanzo beans, chickpeas become wonderfully crispy in the oven and add protein, fiber, and crunch to the salad.
• Olive Oil: Helps the chickpeas crisp up while adding rich flavor and helping the seasonings adhere.
• Paprika: Adds a mild smoky sweetness and beautiful color to the roasted chickpeas.
• Ground Cumin: Brings warm, earthy Southwest flavor that pairs perfectly with the chicken and corn.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances all the flavors and helps season the chickpeas from the inside out.

Southwest Ranch Dressing

• Sour Cream: Creates a creamy, tangy base for the dressing.
• Mayonnaise: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, classic ranch texture.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens the dressing and balances the richness with fresh acidity.
• Fresh Dill: Gives the dressing that signature ranch flavor and fresh herbaceous taste.
• Garlic Powder: Adds savory depth without overpowering the dressing.
• Chili Powder: Brings mild heat and smoky Southwest flavor.
• Taco Seasoning: Adds extra layers of spices and enhances the Southwestern flavor profile.
  • PRO TIP: This is the key to this salad!

For the Salad

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These Red, White and Blue Mini Cheesecakes are so easy to make! When you’re looking for an easy 4th of July dessert these fun mini cheesecakes bites are a creamy dessert for Independence Day! Perfect for your patriotic party!

These festive mini cheesecakes are always a favorite at our house. My kids love the bright red, white, and blue layers and creamy texture, and they make such a fun, special treat for celebrating the Fourth of July together!

I’m actually writing this post while watching the Olympics and these would make the perfect treat for watching the Olympics too! USA! USA! USA! ❤️🤍💙

Ingredients For Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake Bites

These mini cheesecake bites are wonderfully simple to make and don’t require any special equipment. They’re baked right in a standard muffin tin. The ingredient list is just as straightforward, using classic cheesecake staples plus a few festive extras to create those fun red, white, and blue layers.

Graham Cracker Crust

• Graham Crackers Crumbs: Create the classic sweet, buttery base that holds each cheesecake together.
• Salted Butter: Adds richness and helps bind the crust while enhancing flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides a touch of sweetness and helps the crust set properly.

Filling

• Cream Cheese: The creamy foundation that gives these cheesecakes their smooth, rich texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the filling while keeping it perfectly balanced.
• Sour Cream: Adds tanginess and creates an extra silky consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings warmth and enhances the overall flavor.
• Eggs: Help the filling set while keeping it soft and creamy.
• Red Gel Food Coloring: Creates the festive red layer.
• Blue Gel Food Coloring: Adds the bold blue layer for a fun patriotic look.
• Stabilized Whipped Cream: Pipes beautifully and holds its shape for decorating.
• Sprinkles: Add a festive finishing touch.

These cheesecake bites make your celebration feel complete. They’re easy to share, easy to serve, and bring a cheerful pop of color to the table.

Substitutions and Variations

You can easily switch things up to make these mini cheesecakes your own. For a fun, bite-sized cheesecake, use a mini muffin pan instead of a standard one. They turn into the cutest little treats, and there’s nothing better than eating an entire cheesecake in one bite!

This cheesecake filling also makes a wonderful blank canvas. Try stirring in a little vanilla bean paste for extra warmth and those pretty specks. You