Hi! How is everyone? I am super thrilled to have a short work week. I leave on Thursday for my friend’s wedding in Reno. I was debating whether I should bring my computer to blog, but decided to do a recap on Sunday as I’m not sure how much time I’ll have once there.
Last week’s lunches were somewhat pathetic if I have to admit. They just didn’t hold me over all too well. 
It’s not a pretty sight to see me scouring for food. I literally asked for a bite of my coworker’s sandwich last week, I was that hungry. Embarrassing, yes… but true none the less. This recipe from Cooking Light caught my eye yesterday and knew it would be the perfect filling lunch.
Warm Tortellini and Cherry Tomato Salad
Ingredients:
-
21(9-ounce) package fresh cheese tortellini - 1 1/2 cups (1 1/2-inch-long) slices fresh asparagus (about 1 pound)
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups trimmed arugula
- 1 1/2 cups halved
cherrygrape tomatoes - 3/4 cup (3 ounces) pre-grated fresh Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
1/3 cup thinly sliced fresh basil(wish I had some on hand)- 1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
Preparation:
Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat.
Add asparagus to pasta during last 2 minutes of cook time. Drain.
While pasta cooks, combine vinegars, oil, and pepper in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk.
Add pasta mixture, arugula, and remaining ingredients; toss to coat.
This dish was light yet flavorful. Hands down, the best lunch I have had in a long time!
And I’ve decided that I don’t use arugula enough. I loved the peppery flavor it added this to the salad. It really took this dish to a whole new level.
I will be making this dish again very soon!
Well, I am off to bed here soon. Tomorrow is my Friday! Woohoo! Thanks for reading!
What are your favorite pasta salad ingredients? What are you doing for Labor Day?
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
You may have just inspired an upcoming meal – looks great!
great recipe-I love asparagus and tortellini! I think the tortellini are always so calorie dense though. I don’t eat them too often!
Hooray for wedding! I will be with my new man all weekend!!!! we have a long distance relationship so the weekends are the BEST ever! 5 whole days with him.
I know what you mean, but this recipe actually called for 2 packages tortellini and I thought one was more than enough.
I read quickly and thought you said tomorrow is Friday and got excited
I hate it when my lunches aren’t up to snuff, I hate scrounging too. This salad looks great, may even pass the kids test (though that arugula may not work).
What great flavor combos. Yum. I hate being super hungry like that so I keep a drawer filled with food. Kind of funny really. I think coworkers might be shocked. I could probably whip up breakfast
Love arugula!! Especially with potatoes. Don’t have any plans for labor day… just hanging with the fam =)
Have a great time at the wedding!
The pasta salad sounds very good! I’ve never added arugula to a pasta salad, but now I’ll give it a try. I can totally see how the peppery flavor would go very nicely with the pasta!
Now this is a pasta/veggie salad that I know I would enjoy (that doesn’t happen often). I’d prob remove the chunks of tomatoes (I’m sooo weird) but the rest looks amazing!! Thanks for sharing love.
I have a short work week too! LOVE THAT! Can’t wait! Bachelorette party this weekend!
Looks delicious and I love arugula but also don’t use it enough either. Enjoy your weekend
Ooooh. I loveree tortellini. This sounds soo good.
Cherry tomatoes are definitely the best for pasta salad. I also like to put black olives in them too.
I love reading/viewing your blogs when there are recipes, and thankfully that’s often!
Great pasta salad! I love arugala too, especially with beets, walnuts, and goat cheese. I’m doing a beading class with my daughter Saturday, then going to tea with my daughter and her grandmothers on Sunday for an early birthday celebration. Have a wonderful wedding weekend!
Beets, walnuts, and goat cheese seems like a delicious combination! Have a great weekend!!
Have fun at the wedding! The tortellini salad looks amazing – it caught my eye in Cooking Light, too!
The combo of argula and parm is divine….maybe I’ll have tortellini in ITALY this weekend!
Tortellini is my son’s all time favorite pasta. He’ll love this! Have fun at the wedding.