Description
Grinder Pasta Salad is a flavorful and hearty cold pasta salad inspired by classic Italian deli sandwiches. Featuring rotini pasta tossed with salami, deli ham or turkey, fresh cherry tomatoes, lettuce, red onion, banana peppers, and a blend of provolone and Parmesan cheeses, all coated in a tangy mayonnaise-based dressing. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a quick and satisfying meal, this salad can be enjoyed chilled and customized with your favorite deli meats or cheeses.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Meats
- 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta
- 1 cup chopped salami
- 1 cup chopped deli ham or turkey
Vegetables and Cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup shredded iceberg or romaine lettuce
- ½ cup sliced red onion
- ½ cup banana peppers, drained
- ½ cup shredded provolone or mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini or penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool completely.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the dressing. Then add chopped salami, deli ham or turkey, halved cherry tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sliced red onion, banana peppers, shredded provolone or mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and chopped fresh parsley.
- Toss and Chill: Toss all the ingredients thoroughly to ensure everything is evenly coated with the dressing. Cover and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving.
Notes
- This pasta salad can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator to enhance the flavors.
- For a spicier version, add crushed red pepper flakes or chopped pepperoncini peppers to the salad.
- Feel free to swap out the deli meats or cheeses according to your preferences or dietary needs.
