Italian Grinder Pasta Salad (Printable)
Vibrant pasta salad with cured meats, provolone, and tangy vegetables in zesty dressing
# What You’ll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz rotini or penne pasta
02 - 1 tbsp kosher salt for pasta water
→ Meats & Cheese
03 - 3.5 oz Genoa salami, sliced into strips
04 - 3.5 oz deli ham, sliced into strips
05 - 3 oz provolone cheese, sliced into strips
06 - 2 oz pepperoni, sliced into strips
→ Vegetables
07 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
08 - 1 cup iceberg lettuce, thinly sliced
09 - 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
10 - 1/2 cup pepperoncini peppers, sliced
11 - 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, chopped
→ Dressing
12 - 1/3 cup mayonnaise
13 - 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
14 - 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
15 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
16 - 1 tsp dried oregano
17 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
18 - Salt and black pepper to taste
→ Garnish
19 - 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
20 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
# How-to Steps:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly, rinse under cold water to stop cooking, and set aside to cool completely.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth and emulsified.
03 - Add cooled pasta to the bowl with dressing. Toss gently to coat all pasta evenly with the dressing mixture.
04 - Add salami, ham, pepperoni, provolone cheese, cherry tomatoes, lettuce, red onion, pepperoncini peppers, and roasted red peppers. Toss carefully until all ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the salad.
05 - Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley over the top. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 4 hours to allow flavors to meld together.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Every bite tastes like your favorite deli sandwich but in a form that feeds a crowd
- The dressing gets better as it sits, making it perfect for make ahead meals
02 -
- Rinse the pasta thoroughly under cold water or itll keep cooking and turn mushy
- The lettuce wilts if dressed too early, so add it right before serving or pack it separately
03 -
- Cut all your ingredients into similar sized pieces so every bite has the perfect ratio
- Let the salad sit for at least an hour before serving to let flavors meld