This Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad recipe is now my go-to for potlucks, barbecues, and even just a quick lunch. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory, and it’s incredibly easy to make, even when you’re juggling a million things. It perfectly fits into my busy family life! It’s one of those dishes that people always ask for the recipe, and I’m always happy to share because it’s so simple and satisfying. You will love the spicy honey pasta salad.

It’s also super forgiving. Don’t have tortellini? Use another pasta shape! Not a fan of spice? Tone down the hot sauce. That’s the beauty of this recipe – it’s all about making it your own. Trust me, once you try this Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad, you’ll be hooked! My whole family loves this Summer pasta salad! It is seriously good.

Ingredients for Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad

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1 (20-ounce) package cheese tortellini
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup hot honey
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Optional: Cooked and crumbled bacon, grilled chicken, or your favorite veggies

When I make Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad, I always use good quality cheese tortellini. It really makes a difference in the overall flavor. I prefer the refrigerated kind, but the frozen works too, just make sure to cook it according to the package directions. When shopping, look for local honey if possible. It often has a richer, more complex flavor.

You can find hot honey premade at most grocery stores, or you can even make your own by mixing regular honey with a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce. Here is a great recipe for Hot Honey! I like to play around with the amount of hot sauce I add to the dressing, depending on who I’m serving it to. The dressing is the secret weapon of any Tortellini salad recipe.

Here’s a Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad trick I learned from my mom: Toast the red onion for a few minutes in a dry pan before adding it to the salad. It mellows out the flavor and makes it less pungent. I also always add a pinch of sugar to the dressing to balance out the acidity of the vinegar.

It really brightens up the flavors! For busy families making Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad, you can prep the veggies ahead of time and store them in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble the salad. This saves so much time on a weeknight. To save money, buy your spices in bulk. You’ll get a much better price per ounce, and they’ll stay fresher longer.

Leftover Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad ingredients should be stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The cooked tortellini will keep for about 3-4 days. The dressing can be made a day or two in advance and stored in the fridge as well. I like to add a little extra lemon juice to the dressing if I’m making it ahead of time, as it helps to keep it from separating. The Summer pasta salad always makes me feel better.

How to Make Hot – Step-by-Step

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Cook the tortellini according to package directions. Don’t overcook it! You want it to be al dente, not mushy. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. This also helps to prevent the pasta from sticking together. Set aside to cool completely. You want to make sure the pasta is completely cool before adding it to the salad. Trust me, I learned the hard way with Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad that warm pasta will wilt the veggies and make the dressing watery. I usually put the cooked tortellini in the fridge for about 30 minutes to speed up the cooling process.
In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, hot honey, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Don’t be afraid to get creative with the dressing! If you like a sweeter dressing, add a little more honey. If you want it spicier, add a dash of hot sauce. The key is to find a balance that you enjoy. The hot honey pasta salad is something special!
Add the cooled tortellini, red onion, celery, red bell pepper, and parsley to the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss to combine. Make sure all of the tortellini and veggies are evenly coated with the dressing. Don’t overmix, as this can cause the pasta to break apart.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. This is an important step, as it allows the dressing to soak into the pasta and veggies. In my kitchen, Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad usually takes about an hour in the fridge to reach its full flavor potential.
Before serving, give the salad another gentle toss. Garnish with cooked and crumbled bacon, grilled chicken, or your favorite veggies, if desired. I like to add a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a pop of color. Your Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad should smell like a sweet and spicy dream! While the Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad is chilling, I usually clean up the kitchen and prep any other dishes I’m serving. It’s a great way to make the most of your time!

I learned the hard way with Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad that letting it sit in the fridge for too long can make the pasta a little dry. To prevent this, I always add a tablespoon or two of olive oil to the salad before refrigerating it. It helps to keep the pasta moist and prevents it from sticking together. My other cooking tip is when boiling the pasta, reserve some of the pasta water. If the pasta salad seems dry, add a little of the pasta water.

Here is another family-tested Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad shortcut: Use pre-chopped veggies! Most grocery stores sell pre-chopped onions, celery, and bell peppers, which can save you a ton of time. Just make sure to use them within a day or two of buying them, as they tend to go bad quickly. This Summer pasta salad hack will save you tons of time.

Serving Suggestions

The kids love our Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad when I pack it in their lunchboxes with a small container of fruit. It’s a great way to get them to eat their veggies! I also love to serve this salad as a side dish with grilled chicken or fish. The sweet and spicy flavors of the salad complement the savory flavors of the meat perfectly. One of my go-to side dishes that pair with Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad is grilled corn on the cob. The sweetness of the corn pairs perfectly with the spiciness of the salad. I also love to serve it with a simple green salad. Here is another great corn salad: Grilled Corn Salad!

This Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad is perfect for picnics, barbecues, potlucks, or any other outdoor gathering. It’s also a great make-ahead dish, as it gets even better as it sits. For Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad presentation tips, I like to serve it in a large glass bowl so that you can see all of the colorful ingredients. I also garnish it with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and a few cooked and crumbled bacon strips. My other presentation trick is to make sure that you don’t add all of the dressing at once. This allows you to add more depending on how dry the salad looks.

If you have extra Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The pasta may become a little dry over time, so I recommend adding a tablespoon or two of olive oil before serving. One seasonal Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad variation I’ve tried is adding roasted butternut squash in the fall. The sweetness of the squash pairs beautifully with the hot honey dressing.

My friends always ask for this Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad recipe, and I’m always happy to share it. It’s such a crowd-pleaser! I will be honest that my family does not like the cheese filled tortellini. I have to buy the meat filled tortellini instead.

FAQs

Can I make this Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad ahead of time? Absolutely! In fact, I encourage it. The flavors meld together even better when it sits in the fridge for a few hours. Just give it a good toss before serving. You know what I do when my Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad sits overnight? I usually add more dressing, because the pasta tends to soak up the dressing.
Can I use a different type of pasta? Of course! While tortellini is my favorite, any short pasta shape will work. Penne, rotini, or even bow ties would be delicious. My other Summer pasta salad tip is to use gluten free pasta!
I don’t like spicy food. Can I still make this? Definitely! Just reduce the amount of hot sauce in the hot honey, or even use regular honey instead. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a milder kick. You know what I do when my Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad is too spicy? Add honey.
What if I don’t have apple cider vinegar? White vinegar or even lemon juice will work in a pinch. Just keep in mind that the flavor will be slightly different. You know what I do when my Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad needs an extra kick? Add lemon juice!
Can I add protein to this salad? Absolutely! Grilled chicken, shrimp, or even chickpeas would be great additions. Just make sure to adjust the seasonings accordingly. You know what I do when my Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad needs more protein? I add bacon bits!
How long does this salad last in the fridge? It will keep for up to 3 days in an airtight container. After that, the pasta may start to get a little mushy. You know what I do when my Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad needs to be eaten? I eat it!
My dressing is too thick. What should I do? Add a tablespoon or two of olive oil or water to thin it out. You know what I do when my Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad dressing is too thick? Add a splash of pasta water!

Final Thoughts

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This Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s a reminder that sometimes the best recipes are born out of necessity and a little bit of improvisation. Plus, it’s just plain delicious! It makes me think of the summer. This Cheese tortellini salad is so good!

My Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad Pro Tips

Don’t overcook the tortellini: Mushy pasta is the enemy of a good pasta salad.
Taste as you go: Adjust the seasonings to your liking.
Let it chill: The flavors meld together and make it taste better.

I’ve tried a few variations with my family, and here are some of our favorites:

Mediterranean Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad: Add chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and feta cheese.
Italian Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad: Add sun-dried tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, and basil.
Asian Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad: Add shredded carrots, edamame, and a splash of soy sauce to the dressing.

My son loves the Mediterranean version, my daughter is a fan of the Italian version, and my husband always goes for the classic.

I hope you enjoy making this Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad as much as my family and I do. Don’t be afraid to get creative and make it your own. I have a Greek salad with meat as well: Greek Salad With Meat!

Ultimately, cooking is about experimentation and finding what works best for you and your family. So, go ahead, give this Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad a try, and let me know what you think! I hope your Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad turns out amazing!

Easy Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe

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This Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad is not only delicious but also packed with amazing benefits. Enjoy a burst of flavor and wholesome goodness in every bite!

Author: Zoubida
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Category: Salad
Method: Mixing
Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

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1 pound cheese tortellini, cooked
1/2 cup hot honey
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

Cook the tortellini according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the hot honey, olive oil, red wine vinegar, basil, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
Add the cooked tortellini to the bowl and toss to coat.
Serve immediately or chill for later.

Notes

For an extra kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes. This salad is also great with grilled chicken or shrimp.