Layered Spinach Tortellini Salad

Pasta Salad - Salad

Not your standard 7-layer salad, this is always a big hit at pitch-ins and my wonderful daughter even requests it for her birthday dinner and other family functions. It has that 'just right' side dish flavor and lightness, while still being a special treat. If you use real bacon bits and bottled dressing, it's even faster to have ready for drop-in guests! Add croutons or fresh Parmesan cheese to top if desired. Store in refrigerator and serve chilled.

Brief

Prep 30 mins

Cook: 15 mins

Total: 45 mins

Servings: 10

Yield: 1 9x13-inch dish

Layered Spinach Tortellini Salad

Ingredients

½ pound bacon

cut crosswise into 1/4-inch pieces

2 (9 ounce) packages refrigerated cheese tortellini

1 cup milk

1 cup mayonnaise

1 (1 ounce) package ranch dressing mix

3 (10 ounce) bags baby spinach

2 cups shredded red cabbage

1 cup cherry tomatoes

or more to taste

Thai Rice Noodle Salad

Salad

Directions

Step 1

Heat a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir bacon until crispy 7 to 10 minutes. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook tortellini in the boiling water until tender yet firm to the bite 3 to 4 minutes; drain and run under cold water.

Step 3

Whisk milk mayonnaise and ranch dressing mix together in a bowl until dressing is smooth.

Step 4

Place a layer of spinach in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish; top with 1 cup cabbage and layer of tortellini arranging tortellini so they are evenly spaced over the cabbage. Sprinkle half of the bacon over tortellini layer. Drizzle half of the dressing over salad. Continue layering with remaining spinach cabbage tortellini bacon (reserving a few for the end) and ending with cherry tomatoes. Drizzle the remaining dressing over the top. Garnish with a few bacon pieces. Serve chilled.

Nutritional Information

Layered Spinach Tortellini Salad

Servings Per Recipe:10

Calories: 404.8

% Daily Value *

Protein: 13.6g 27%

Carbohydrates: 31.9g 10%

Dietary Fiber: 3.6g 15%

Sugars: 3.6g

Fat: 25.9g 40%

Saturated Fat: 6.2g 31%

Cholesterol: 40.9mg 14%

Vitamin A Iu: 8348.7IU 167%

Niacin Equivalents: 2.8mg 22%

Vitamin B6: 0.4mg 23%

Vitamin C: 34.8mg 58%

Folate: 172.5mcg 43%

Calcium: 122.3mg 12%

Iron: 2.7mg 15%

Magnesium: 76.5mg 27%

Potassium: 637.6mg 18%

Sodium: 766.9mg 31%

Thiamin: 0.1mg 13%

Calories From Fat: 233.4

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Nutrition information is provided for reference only. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.