This delicious summer salad made with four cheese tortelloni pasta, cherry tomatoes, spinach and walnut pieces, all tossed in a homemade mayo vinaigrette is hearty and quick to make.
1large handfulwalnut pieces / halvesbroken up by hand into small pieces
FOR THE DRESSING
1 ½tablespoons/ 45g mayonnaise
2tablespoonswhite wine vinegar
¼cupextra virgin olive oil
½tablespoonDijon mustard
Salt & pepper to taste
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Instructions
Cook your tortelloni earlier in the day (or night before), according to the packet instructions. When done, drain and transfer to a medium bowl. Add a little olive oil and mix in so the pasta doesn't clump together. Leave to cool at room temp for about an hour then transfer to the fridge until you’re ready to compile your salad.
Add your dressing ingredients to a jar, pop the lid on and shake until well combined and creamy. Alternatively, add to a bowl and stir well with a mini wire hand whisk.
Combine all elements in your largest bowl and mix well.
Baby & Toddler
Serve their salad deconstructed and without the dressing. The tortelloni’s can be served whole, the cherry tomatoes serves cut into eights or, for 6-9 month olds cut wedges of a large tomato. The spinach leaves can be served as they are. You can give little one some walnuts (so long as they don’t have a nut allergy) just crush theirs in a food bag using a rolling pin or meat mallet.
YOUNGER CHILDREN & FUSSY EATERS
Can leave their salad undressed and give them a little dressing in a mini bowl to dip into or add to their plate themselves if they like. You can serve their salad de-constructed if you like. If they don’t like tomatoes (or spinach), add a “safe” veg to their plate that they do like. If they don’t eat veg at all, grapes are a good option to go alongside this salad.
STORAGE
You can store any dressed Cheese Tortelloni Pasta Salad leftovers in an air-tight container or resealable food bag in the fridge for up to 2 days (cook day + 1). The spinach will go a bit limp but will taste fine.
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