BLT Tortellini Pasta Salad

Course: Lunch, Pasta, Side Dish, Salad

Ingredients:

For the Salad:

• 1 pound cheese-filled tortellini

• 6-8 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled

• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1 ripe avocado, diced

• 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped

• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)

• Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Dressing:

• 1/3 cup mayonnaise

• 1/3 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt

• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

• 1 teaspoon honey

• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the cheese-filled tortellini according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream or Greek yogurt, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper. Adjust the seasoning to your taste.

3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled tortellini, crumbled bacon, halved cherry tomatoes, diced avocado, and finely chopped red onion. If using, add the crumbled feta cheese to the salad.

4. Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients.

5. Gently toss everything together until all the ingredients are well coated with the dressing.

6. Season the BLT tortellini pasta salad with salt and black pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning as needed.

7. Serve this delicious BLT tortellini pasta salad as a side dish at your next gathering or as a satisfying meal on its own.