Tortellini Pasta Salad

Whenever Spring rolls around, I have a craving for pasta salad. I asked around for a tasty one a few weeks ago and this recipe was highly recommended. I can see why too! It is super quick, easy, and tasty pasta salad to try for your next picnic. Dr. Sweetpea loves tortellini but thought this would be better with penne next time. If any of you use penne for this recipe, please let me know how it turns out!

Tortellini Pasta Salad

(Source: Journal Sentinel)

6 cups frozen cheese tortellini pasta, cooked and drained

4 cups fresh baby spinach, washed, dried and coarsely chopped

2 carrots, shredded

1 small red onion, chopped

1 cup toasted pecans

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup canned mandarin orange segments (drained, reserve juice to use in dressing)

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil

2 teaspoons sugar

DRESSING:

1 1/2 cups your favorite Italian vinaigrette dressing

1/4 cup mandarin orange juice

1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

Cook tortellini according to package directions. Drain and cool. In large bowl, combine with vegetables, pecans, cranberries and orange segments. Add salt, pepper, basil and sugar and mix well. Prepare Dressing and dress pasta as desired.

DRESSING:

Combine ingredients and mix well.