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Grinder Pasta Salad

Grinder Pasta Salad: A Creamy Italian Twist for Summer Fun

This Grinder Pasta Salad marries the flavors of a classic Italian sandwich into a creamy, savory summer side dish.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 8 cups
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 12 ounces rotini pasta Any short pasta can be used.
For the Meats
  • 1 cup oven roasted turkey Can substitute with chicken or omit for vegetarian.
  • ½ cup pepperoni Can use turkey pepperoni or omit.
  • ½ cup salami Can swap for prosciutto.
For the Cheeses
  • 4 ounces provolone cheese Mozzarella can be used instead.
  • 4 ounces parmesan cheese Pecorino Romano is a good alternative.
For the Vegetables
  • 2 cups iceberg lettuce Can use romaine or spinach.
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes Regular diced tomatoes are a substitute.
  • ½ cup pepperoncinis Can replace with banana peppers.
  • ¼ cup red onion Green onions can be used instead.
For the Dressing
  • 1 cup mayonnaise Can substitute with Greek yogurt.
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar Apple cider vinegar can be used.
  • 2 tablespoons pepperoncini juice Lemon juice can be a replacement.
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano Italian seasoning is a good alternative.
  • 1 teaspoon garlic Garlic powder is a convenient alternative.
  • salt Adjust to taste.
  • black pepper Adjust to taste.

Equipment

  • large pot
  • Medium bowl
  • colander
  • spatula
  • Airtight container

Method
 

Step‑by‑Step Instructions
  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup of mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons of red wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons of pepperoncini juice, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of minced garlic, and salt and black pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of rotini pasta and cook for 9-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  3. Chop 1 cup of oven-roasted turkey, slice ½ cup of pepperoni, and dice ½ cup of salami. Shred 2 cups of iceberg lettuce and slice 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, ½ cup of pepperoncinis, and ¼ cup of red onion.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta with meats, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, pepperoncinis, and red onion.
  5. Pour dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently to coat thoroughly.
  6. Transfer salad into an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 15gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 300IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 1.5mg

Notes

This pasta salad is hearty and full of flavors, perfect for summer gatherings and customizable to suit personal tastes.

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