You’re going to love this Italian Grinder Pasta Salad that has all of your favorite Italian sub sandwich toppings. Salty salami, pepperoncini, ham and provolone cheese, tossed together with tender pasta and a creamy garlic dressing. One bite and you’ll understand why this is destined to become your new potluck staple.
This salad takes everything irresistible about a deli sandwich and turns it into an easy, shareable dish. The combination of three different cured meats with provolone and crunchy lettuce gives every forkful incredible texture and flavor. And because it’s a complete meal in one bowl, it’s just as satisfying as a main dish as it is a side.
Helpful Tips
- Rinse the pasta with cold water: Cooling the pasta quickly after draining stops it from continuing to cook and keeps it from getting mushy once mixed with the dressing.
- Add the lettuce just before serving: If you’re making this ahead, hold off on adding the shredded lettuce until right before you serve, since it can wilt if it sits too long in the dressing.
- Cut the meats and cheese into bite-sized pieces: Slicing the deli meats and provolone into small strips rather than leaving them whole makes every forkful easier to eat and more evenly distributed.
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Italian Grinder Pasta Salad
Ingredients
For the dressing:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese grated
For the salad:
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 2 cups iceberg lettuce shredded
- 4 ounces ham sliced
- 4 ounces pepperoni sliced
- 4 ounces salami sliced
- 4 ounces provolone cheese sliced
- 1 pint grape tomatoes halved
- 1/2 cup pepperoncini peppers sliced
- 1/2 red onion finely diced
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in boiling salted water, according to the package instructions, then drain and rinse with cold water to cool the pasta.
- In a jar, combine all of the dressing ingredients until smooth. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the pasta with all salad ingredients.
- Pour dressing over the salad and toss everything together until evenly coated.
Nutrition
Angela’s passion for discovering and experimenting with new flavors and recipes is at the heart of her culinary philosophy. Residing in a quaint Oregon town, she finds joy and inspiration in her kitchen. Angela has a lot of expertise in cooking and she eagerly shares her discoveries and unique creations with you.