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Southwest Tortellini Pasta Salad

September 19, 2025 by Dinner Tonight

🌮🥗 Spice up your lunch with the Southwest Tortellini Pasta Salad! 🥗🌮

Need something fresh, filling, and full of flavor? This tossed-together gem hits all the notes:

✨ What’s inside
• Three-cheese tortellini
• Grilled chicken
• Corn & black beans
• Red bell pepper, cherry tomatoes & avocado
• Red onion + cilantro

✨ The zesty dressing
Made with avocado oil, lime juice, rice vinegar, garlic, chili powder & cumin — balanced with a touch of sugar. 💥

✨ Why you’ll love it

  • Great mix of protein + veggies = satisfying, yet light

  • Tex-Mex vibes make it fun & vibrant

  • Super flexible: serve it as a side, a main, or even pack it for lunch tomorrow

🕒 Takes just a little prep time and then literally toss ‘n’ go. 😋

Southwest Tortellini Pasta Salad
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Servings
8 1 cup servings
Servings
8 1 cup servings
Southwest Tortellini Pasta Salad
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Servings
8 1 cup servings
Servings
8 1 cup servings
Ingredients
Salad
  • 10 ounce  three cheese refrigerated tortellini
  • 5 oz Grilled Chicken Breast cooked and chopped
  • 1 cup Corn fresh cooked, canned or frozen
  • 15 ounce can black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 red bell pepper chopped
  • 1 avocado peeled, seeded and chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1/4 cup red onion chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
Dressing
  • 2 Tablespoons Avocado Oil
  • juice from 2 limes
  • 2 Tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
Servings: 1 cup servings
Units:
Instructions
  1. Cook the tortellini according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
  2. Add tortellini to a large bowl. Add cooked corn, black beans, bell pepper, avocado, cherry tomatoes, onion, and cilantro.
  3. Combine all the dressing ingredients in a resealable jar. Shake until combined. Pour the desired amount of dressing (you may not want to use it all) over the pasta and toss to coat.
Recipe Notes

Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: avocado, Chicken, pasta, pasta salad, tortellini

Greek Orzo Pasta Salad

June 3, 2025 by Dinner Tonight

This isn’t your average pasta salad, we’ve given it a nutritious twist with chickpea orzo for a protein boost and a zesty lemon pepper vinaigrette that brings the flavor to life!

Packed with all your Greek salad favorites, think juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, Kalamata olives, red onion, and a sprinkle of feta, it’s colorful, crave-worthy, and perfect for picnics or meals on the go.

Take it to the park, prep it for lunch, or serve it as a light summer dinner. However you enjoy it, this one’s a keeper!


Greek Orzo Pasta Salad
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Servings
16 3/4 cup servings
Servings
16 3/4 cup servings
Greek Orzo Pasta Salad
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Servings
16 3/4 cup servings
Servings
16 3/4 cup servings
Ingredients
Dressing
  • 4 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 4 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
Salad
  • 10 ounces chickpea orzo pasta
  • 2 cups romaine lettuce hearts chopped into ½-inch pieces
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes quartered (or halved if small, to match size of other ingredients)
  • 1 medium orange bell pepper diced into ½-inch pieces
  • 1 medium English cucumber diced into ½-inch pieces
  • 1/2 small red onion finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh herbs minced (such as dill, mint, basil, oregano, or parsley - use your favorite mix)
  • 1/2 cup kalamata olives halves
  • 1/2 cup reduced fat feta cheese crumbled
Servings: 3/4 cup servings
Units:
Instructions
Dressing:
  1. Whisk together lemon juice, vinegar, lemon zest, mustard, pepper, and salt.
  2. Begin adding the oil in a thin, steady stream while whisking or blending vigorously.
Salad
  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
  2. Prepare the pasta according to the package directions and drain once cooked.
  3. Once drained toss the orzo with a portion of the dressing so it does not stick together.
  4. Transfer the cooked orzo to a large, shallow container and spread it out evenly to cool quickly and safely.
  5. Once cool, place orzo, lettuce, tomatoes, pepper, cucumber, red onion, herbs, olives, feta, and remaining dressing into a large bowl and mix well.
Recipe Notes

Greek Pasta Salad Nutrition Facts Serving size 3/4 cup 16 Amount per serving Calories 160 % Daily Value Total Fat 10 g 13 % Saturated Fat 1.5 g 8 % Trans Fat 0 g Cholesterol 0 mg 0 % Sodium 210 mg 9 % Total Carbohydrate 14 g 5 % Dietary Fiber 3 g 11 % Total Sugars 2 g Added Sugars 0 g 0 % Protein 6 g Vitamin D 0 mcg 0 % Calcium 30 mg 2 % Iron 1.2 mg 6 % Potassium 330 mg 8 %

Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: feta cheese, healthy side dish, pasta, side dish, Side Dishes

Pasta with Spinach Sauce

March 8, 2024 by Dinner Tonight

This simple pasta dish is quick to make and tastes amazing. The spinach packs a bright flavor. Serve as a side or main dish. Leftovers can be reheated with a little bit of water to loosen the sauce.


Pasta with Spinach Sauce
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  • CourseMain Dish
Servings
4 1 cup servings
Servings
4 1 cup servings
Pasta with Spinach Sauce
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  • CourseMain Dish
Servings
4 1 cup servings
Servings
4 1 cup servings
Ingredients
  • 8 ounces penne rigate dry
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 9 ounces fresh spinach
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 5 ounces fat free plain cream cheese
  • 1 ounce grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg ground
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Servings: 1 cup servings
Units:
Instructions
  1. Cook pasta until al dente, following package directions omitting salt. Before draining, reserve at least ½ cup of pasta cooking water and set aside.
  2. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  3. Add garlic and cook for about 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Add part of the spinach and season with salt. Stir until wilted adding handfuls of spinach at a time.
  5. When the spinach is wilted, but still bright green, stir in cream cheese and 1/3 cup pasta water. Save remaining pasta water to loosen the sauce, if needed.
  6. Add grated parmesan cheese and nutmeg to the sauce and stir well.
  7. Drain pasta and add to the skillet. Serve immediately with a drizzle of olive oil and black pepper.
Recipe Notes

Pasta with Spinach Sauce Nutrition Facts Serving size 1 Cup (169g) servings per container 4 Amount per serving Calories 310 % Daily Value Total Fat 6 g 8 % Saturated Fat 1.5 g 8 % Trans Fat 0 g Cholesterol 10 mg 3 % Sodium 540 mg 23 % Total Carbohydrate 50 g 18 % Dietary Fiber 4 g 14 % Total Sugars 4 g Added Sugars 0 g 0 % Protein 15 g Vitamin D 0 mcg 0 % Calcium 285 mg 20 % Iron 3 mg 15 % Potassium 153 mg 4 %

Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: main dish, pasta, spinach, Vegetarian

Baked Ziti

April 7, 2022 by Dinner Tonight

Big pasta dishes are always so comforting! Try our Baked Ziti recipe the next time you’re craving pasta.


Baked Ziti
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  • CourseMain Dish
Servings
12 1 1/4 cup servings
Servings
12 1 1/4 cup servings
Baked Ziti
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  • CourseMain Dish
Servings
12 1 1/4 cup servings
Servings
12 1 1/4 cup servings
Ingredients
Turkey "Sausage"
  • 2 pounds ground turkey
  • 2 Tablespoons Tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon dried parsley
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
Ziti
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium white onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic sliced
  • 28 ounces tomato sauce unsalted
  • 28 ounce diced tomatoes no salt added
  • 2 teaspoons Italian herb blend without salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 pound ziti noodles
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella reduced fat
  • 16 ounces cottage cheese, low-fat
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley
  • 2 large eggs
Servings: 1 1/4 cup servings
Units:
Instructions
  1. In a medium bowl, place turkey and all of the spices, and mix to combine well. Cover and let rest for 10-15 minutes while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
  2. In a large pot, heat the olive oil and sauté the onions and garlic until beginning to soften. Add in the turkey sausage and cook until browned.
  3. Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian herb blend, and red pepper flakes. Let simmer for 20-30 minutes. Remove from heat to begin the cooling process or place in an ice bath if you’re going to freeze.
  4. While the sauce simmers, boil the ziti noodles to less than “al dente”. Once noodles are cooked, drain and rinse them under cool water running water. Add into the sauce and stir to gently combine.
  5. In a bowl, combine the cheeses, parsley, and eggs. Whisk to combine.
  6. Option #1: In a 9x13 inch casserole dish place a layer of ziti noodles evenly on the bottom. Next, layer the cottage cheese mixture either in a single layer or in dollops centered where the 12 slices would be. Finally, layer the remaining ziti on top.
  7. Options #2: Layer your ziti in smaller sets of pans to eat now and later. For example, two 8x8 pans, or 4 loaf pans. Cover and prepare for freezing.
Cook Immediately
  1. Preheat the oven to 375*F. Cook covered in the oven for 30-40 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165*F.
Freeze, Thaw & Cook
  1. Place in the freezer and store for up to 2 months. Ensure you've assembled your ziti for freezing in freezer-safe containers.
  2. Remove from the freezer 24 hours before cooking and place in the refrigerator to thaw.
  3. Cook covered in the oven at 375*F for 30-40 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165*F.
Recipe Notes

Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: 400, main, main dish, pasta, protein, Turkey

Butternut Squash Mac n Cheese

November 23, 2021 by Dinner Tonight

Mac n Cheese is a comfort food classic but allow us to dress up your mac n cheese with a winter favorite, butternut squash! The butternut squash and the blend of cheeses in this dish really make for a unique mac n cheese experience!


Butternut Squash Mac n Cheese
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  • CourseKid Friendly, Side Dishes
Servings
10 1/4 cup servings
Servings
10 1/4 cup servings
Butternut Squash Mac n Cheese
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  • CourseKid Friendly, Side Dishes
Servings
10 1/4 cup servings
Servings
10 1/4 cup servings
Ingredients
  • 8 ounces Elbow pasta
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 1/2 cups butternut squash fresh, cubed
  • 1/2 Tablespoon butter unsalted
  • 1 Tabblespoon olive oil
  • 3 Tablespoons flour
  • 3/4 cup Milk 1%
  • 1/2 cup reduced fat Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
  • 1/4 cup reduced fat cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup Asiago Cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
Servings: 1/4 cup servings
Units:
Instructions
  1. Wash your hands and workspace
  2. Bring a stockpot of water to boil. Cook pasta according to the package
  3. Cut your butternut squash into 1-inch pieces.
  4. In a separate saucepan, add your 2 teaspoons olive oil on medium heat. Add butternut squash into the pan and cover. Cook for about 5 minutes or until it is tender with a fork.
  5. Pour squash into a blender and puree
  6. In a saucepan, add your butter and 1 Tablespoon olive oil and melt. Once melted add in your flour and whisk continually, add your milk slowly to prevent clumping.
  7. Add your cheeses, butternut puree, and spices and mix well. Incorporate pasta elbows.
  8. Pour into a 9x9 glass pan and cook at 350*F for 20 minutes
Recipe Notes

Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: butternut squash, fall, healthy side dish, kid friendly, mac n cheese, pasta, side dish recipe, Side Dishes

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