Italian Grinder Pasta Salad Recipe
Italian Grinder Pasta Salad is a vibrant and hearty pasta dish inspired by the classic Italian sandwich. Featuring penne pasta tossed with a zesty homemade grinder dressing and loaded with Italian deli meats, provolone cheese, fresh veggies, and crisp lettuce, this salad is perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a flavorful weeknight meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 16 ounces penne pasta
Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Salad Ingredients
- 4 ounces shredded iceberg lettuce (about 2–3 cups)
- 4 ounces ham
- 4 ounces pepperoni
- 4 ounces salami
- 4 ounces provolone cheese
- 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoncini peppers
- 1/2 red onion, finely diced
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Prepare the penne pasta according to the package directions. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to cool it down, then drain thoroughly again.
- Make the Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, sugar, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and grated parmesan cheese until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Set the dressing aside.
- Prepare the Meat and Cheese: Slice the ham, pepperoni, and salami into 1/4 inch slices. Cut the provolone cheese into thin slices or small cubes to ensure even distribution in the salad.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta with shredded iceberg lettuce, sliced meats, provolone cheese, halved grape tomatoes, pepperoncini peppers, and diced red onion.
- Toss with Dressing: Pour the prepared grinder dressing over the combined ingredients, then toss gently but thoroughly to ensure everything is evenly coated with the dressing. Serve immediately or chill until ready to serve.
Notes
- For best flavor, refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour before serving to let the dressing meld with the ingredients.
- You can substitute other Italian cold cuts if preferred, such as mortadella or capicola.
- To keep the salad fresh, add lettuce just before serving to avoid sogginess.
- If you prefer a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
- This salad can be made a day ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator.
Keywords: Italian pasta salad, grinder pasta salad, penne pasta salad, Italian deli meat salad, easy pasta salad
Find it online: https://cookcrisis.com/italian-grinder-pasta-salad-recipe-2/
