Description
Italian Grinder Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish inspired by classic Italian sandwiches, combining al dente pasta, savory Italian deli meats, fresh crisp vegetables, and tangy Italian dressing for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing salad perfect for lunches, barbecues, or easy meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz rotini or penne pasta
Italian Deli Meats
- 3 oz salami, sliced
- 3 oz pepperoni, sliced
- 3 oz ham, sliced
Cheese
- 4 oz provolone cheese, sliced into bite-sized pieces
Vegetables & Olives
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
Dressing & Herbs
- 3/4 cup zesty Italian dressing
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the rotini or penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to halt cooking and chill the pasta for the salad.
- Prepare the Vegetables and Meat: While the pasta cools, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the green bell pepper, thinly slice the red onion, and slice salami, pepperoni, ham, and provolone cheese into bite-sized pieces.
- Combine Ingredients in a Bowl: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, prepared veggies, sliced meats, olives, and provolone cheese. Toss gently to mix and evenly distribute the ingredients.
- Add the Dressing and Toss: Pour the Italian dressing over the salad. Toss thoroughly to ensure every ingredient is coated with the tangy, herbal vinaigrette.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve cold, garnished with freshly chopped parsley.
Notes
- Cook pasta al dente to maintain a firm texture after chilling.
- Use a quality Italian dressing with fresh herbs and olive oil for the best flavor.
- Chill the salad before serving to enhance the taste and refreshing qualities.
- Make the salad a day ahead to deepen flavors; however, toss extra dressing before serving to keep it fresh.
- Maintain a balanced ratio of pasta, veggies, cheese, and meats for optimal texture and flavor harmony.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No Cooking (except boiling pasta)
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
Keywords: Italian pasta salad, grinder pasta salad, Italian deli meat salad, cold pasta salad, picnic pasta salad