Shelly's Recipe

TORTELLINI SALAD

Category: Pasta Salads

6 cups frozen cheese tortellini pasta, cooked al dente 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 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 1/2 tsp dried basil
2 tsp sugar

Dressing:
1 1/2 cups your favorite Italian vinaigrette dressing
1/4 cup mandarin orange juice
1 tsp 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.