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Italian Grinder Pasta Salad

Italian Grinder Pasta Salad
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Italian Grinder Pasta Salad is a fresh, zesty, and vibrant dish perfect for quick summer meals, picnics, and outdoor gatherings. This colorful pasta salad combines al dente rotini or penne pasta with Italian deli meats, fresh vegetables, cubed cheese, olives, and pepperoncini, all tossed in a bright Italian vinaigrette dressing. Easy to prepare in under 30 minutes, it’s customizable and serves a crowd with fresh flavors that hold up well chilled.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta

Italian Deli Meats

  • 4 ounces salami, diced
  • 4 ounces pepperoni, diced
  • 4 ounces ham, diced

Fresh Vegetables

  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

Cheese

  • 1 cup provolone or mozzarella cheese, cubed

Olives and Pepperoncini

  • 1/2 cup black or green olives, sliced
  • 1/3 cup pepperoncini, sliced

Italian Dressing and Herbs

  • 3/4 cup Italian vinaigrette dressing
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta in salted water until just al dente according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta for the salad.
  2. Prep the Ingredients: While the pasta cools, dice the Italian deli meats, cube the cheese, halve the cherry tomatoes, thinly slice cucumbers and red onion, and chop fresh basil and parsley for maximum flavor.
  3. Combine Everything: Place the cooled pasta in a large mixing bowl, add all the diced meats, cheeses, vegetables, olives, and pepperoncini. Toss gently to mix everything evenly.
  4. Dress the Salad: Pour the Italian vinaigrette over the salad and toss again until every ingredient is lightly coated with the dressing, ensuring a burst of flavor in every bite.
  5. Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld beautifully. Stir gently before serving.

Notes

  • Don’t overcook the pasta to keep it firm and avoid mushiness when chilled.
  • Start dressing lightly and add more gradually to keep the salad fresh and not soggy.
  • Use quality Italian deli meats for authentic flavor.
  • Chill the salad to enhance flavor blending.
  • Add fresh herbs right before serving to maintain their bright color and aroma.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian Pasta Salad, Grinder Pasta Salad, Summer Pasta Salad, Italian Deli Salad, Picnic Salad, Easy Pasta Salad

Find it online: https://linacorner.com/italian-grinder-pasta-salad/