Hot Honey Tortellini Pasta Salad

Ready to have the most popular dish at the barbecue? Dig into my hot honey pasta salad, made with crispy prosciutto, mozzarella, and fresh peaches. With a base made from tortellini, this dish is bright, flavorful, and super easy to make. Keep this recipe handy, because everyone will be begging for it! 

Hot honey tortellini pasta salad

I’ll admit it – I’m obsessed with hot honey. It’s tasty on everything, from baked brie to fresh fruit. 

And this obsession has led me to create a ton of hot honey-inspired recipes. When given the chance, I’m adding it to the ingredients list. 

Don’t believe me? Try my hot honey whipped ricotta and hot honey cornflake chicken nuggets. You’ll soon understand the hype. 

Today, I’m introducing a brand new hot honey delicacy – hot honey pasta salad! This dish takes a classic barbeque food and elevates it with tasty whole ingredients like fresh basil, prosciutto, and of course, hot honey.

It’s equal parts healthy and indulgent, swapping the traditional mayonnaise base for a tangy olive oil-based dressing. 

Plus, it comes with one more surprise: tortellini!

Ingredients needed 

This honey pasta salad is made with fresh, whole ingredients that come together to create a masterpiece!

Here’s a bit more about what makes this dish:

• Tortellini: You can use any type of tortellini you prefer for this recipe, though I prefer 4-cheese. I find it adds extra flavor without competing with the other ingredients. You’ll need 32 oz. 
• Prosciutto: 4 oz of prosciutto adds a salty, umami flavor to this pasta salad. I bake mine in the oven, to add a crispy texture to the dish. 
• Pearl Mozzarella Balls: I include 8oz of pearl mozzarella balls in this pasta salad. The creamy texture is unbeatable. 
• Corn: Corn plays up the sweet notes of this dish, complimenting the hot honey. For this recipe, use a 15 oz can. 
• Peaches: Stone fruit is delicious in summer salads. Use 3 diced peaches for extra sweetness. 
• Cherry Tomatoes: 2 cups of cherry tomatoes add a bright acidity to the dish. 
• Basil: ½ cup of fresh basil makes this salad extra vibrant.
• Olive Oil: The base of this salad dressing is made with ½ cup of olive oil. I love oil-based dressings because they’re lighter than mayonnaise bases but still delicious!
• Hot Honey: The star of this recipe is ⅓ cup of hot honey, giving the dressing natural sweetness and a kick of spice. 
• Dijon Mustard: 1 tbsp of Dijon mustard gives this dressing depth with its sharp and tangy flavor. 
• Red Wine Vinegar: 3 tbsp of red wine vinegar adds to the tang with its tart and fruity essence. 
• Garlic: I use two cloves of minced garlic in this dressing for an aromatic addition.
• Salt and Pepper: I finish off this recipe with just 1 tsp of salt and ½ tsp of black pepper. These simple spices make each ingredient taste even better!

Kitchen tools required

Here’s a bit more on what you’ll need to bring tortellini pasta salad together…

• Baking sheet
• Large bowl
• Glass measuring cup
• Parchment paper
• Whisk

For measuring, you’ll also need 1 cup, ½ cup, ⅓ cup, 1 tbsp, a tsp, and ½ tsp. 

How to make hot honey pasta salad

To make this hot honey pasta salad, start by preheating your oven to 400F and prepping a baking sheet with a bit of parchment paper. 

Lay your prosciutto on your prepped sheet in a single layer and bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when it’s nice and crispy!

From there, add tortellini, mozzarella balls, corn, peaches, tomatoes, and basil to a large mixing bowl. Chop your crispy prosciutto into small pieces and pop that in as well. 

Next – the hot honey sauce! To a glass measuring cup, add all dressing ingredients including olive oil, hot honey, dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper. Give everything a good whisk until well combined. 

Pour your mixed dressing over your tortellini mixture and toss well until each piece is evenly coated. 

Serve cold or at room temperature and enjoy!

Recipe tips

Below are some common pasta salad questions. Don’t see the answer you’re looking for? Leave a comment at the bottom of this post!

Should pasta salad be served hot or warm?

This pasta salad is best served cold or at room temperature. The fresh ingredients have the best flavor when chilled. 

If you prefer warm pasta, try one of my other recipes like my spicy fusilli pasta, creamy vegan pumpkin pasta, or pesto baked pasta.

Can I make this pasta salad gluten-free?

You can totally make this tortellini pasta salad gluten-free by subbing out the pasta base. This Taste Republic gluten-free tortellini would make a tasty substitution!

What should I serve with hot honey pasta salad?

This hot honey pasta salad is nutritious and satisfying enough to be a main dish, though it can also be a side if you prefer. 

For additional protein, serve as a side to grilled honey mustard chicken. It would also pair well with roasted vegetables or a light soup like my lemon chicken orzo soup.

Can you make this recipe ahead of time?

If you want to prep this dish ahead of time, you absolutely can. My recommendation would be to prep your salad base and dressing separately. 

When refrigerated, oil-based dressings tend to separate. 

To avoid this, give your dressing a good mix right before you’re ready to serve, then pour it over your tortellini base. This is going to give you the best flavor possible.

Storing leftovers

My hot honey pasta sauce will keep well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. 

To store it, make sure your pasta salad is completely cool before adding it to an airtight container. Refrigerate right away!

If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!

Here are some of my favorite recipes featuring honey as the main event. Enjoy!

• Baked Hot Honey Feta Dip
• Hot Honey Pretzel Chicken Tenders
• Spicy Baked Feta With Hot Honey
• Honey Garlic Chicken
• Whipped Feta With Hot Honey

Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by The Mindful Hapa