Description
Mouthwatering Italian Grinder Pasta Salad brings zesty Mediterranean flavors to your summer table. Packed with bold salami, pepperoni, and tangy dressing, you’ll savor each delicious bite of this crowd-pleasing classic.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients:
- 1 pound rotini pasta
- 2 (8-ounce) containers marinated mozzarella cheese balls
- 5–6 peperoncini peppers
- 10-ounce container cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup pickled red onion
- 10 slices deli Genoa salami
- 8 slices deli ham
- 20 slices pepperoni
- 1/2 head lettuce
Dressing Ingredients:
- 1 1/3 cups mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon peperoncini pepper juice
- Marinade oil from mozzarella containers
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Craft a zesty dressing by whisking mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, peperoncini juice, mozzarella marinade oil, black pepper, salt, oregano, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes in a medium bowl until silky smooth.
- Cook rotini pasta according to package instructions, then drain and cool to room temperature.
- Chop mozzarella balls, peperoncini peppers, cherry tomatoes, and pickled red onions into bite-sized pieces.
- Dice Genoa salami, deli ham, and pepperoni into uniform chunks.
- Transfer cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl and combine with prepared meat and vegetable ingredients.
- Drizzle the prepared dressing over the pasta mixture, gently folding to ensure even coating and distribution.
- Seal the bowl with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate for 2-3 hours, allowing flavors to intensify and meld together.
- Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir to redistribute the dressing and ingredients.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh shredded lettuce for an extra crisp texture and visual appeal.
- Serve chilled for maximum flavor enjoyment.
Notes
- Customize the heat level by adjusting red pepper flakes for those who love spice or prefer a milder taste.
- Replace mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-packed version that’s healthier and tangier.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time and store separately to maintain freshness, preventing soggy pasta and wilted vegetables.
- Swap out meats with plant-based alternatives like marinated tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian-friendly option that maintains the Italian grinder flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 355 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg