Description
Hearty italian grinder pasta salad brings classic deli flavors to a chilled pasta dish. Layers of robust meats, tangy cheeses, and zesty herbs create a satisfying meal perfect for summer gatherings or quick lunches you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound rotini pasta (cooked until al dente)
- 2 (8 ounces / 226 grams) containers marinated mozzarella cheese balls in oil (sliced into quarters)
- 10 slices deli Genoa salami (cut into chunks)
- 8 slices deli ham (cut into chunks)
- 20 slices pepperoni (cut into quarters)
Vegetables and Add-ins:
- 10 ounces (283 grams) container cherry tomatoes (cut in half or quarters depending on size)
- 1 cup pickled red onion
- 5–6 peperoncini peppers (sliced in rings)
- 1/2 head lettuce (shredded)
Dressing and Seasonings:
- 1 1/3 cups mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon peperoncini pepper juice from the jar
- Marinade oil leftover from the marinated mozzarella balls (use all the oil from both containers)
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Craft the zesty dressing by whisking mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, peperoncini juice, marinade oil, black pepper, salt, oregano, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes in a medium bowl until smooth and well-blended.
- Cook rotini pasta until al dente, then transfer to a spacious mixing bowl. Slice marinated mozzarella balls into quarters, peperoncini peppers into rings, and cherry tomatoes into halves or quarters.
- Add sliced mozzarella, peperoncini, cherry tomatoes, pickled red onion, chopped Genoa salami, diced ham, and quartered pepperoni to the pasta.
- Drizzle prepared dressing over the pasta mixture, gently tossing to ensure even coating and distribution of ingredients.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 2-3 hours, allowing flavors to meld and intensify. This chilling period helps develop a more robust taste profile.
- Just before serving, shred half a head of lettuce and fold it into the chilled pasta salad for a fresh, crisp texture.
- Serve cold and enjoy the vibrant, Italian-inspired flavors of this hearty pasta salad.
Notes
- Customize the dressing by adjusting the heat level with red pepper flakes or adding a splash of hot sauce for extra kick.
- Prepare the pasta al dente to prevent mushiness and maintain a perfect texture when mixed with the dressing.
- Make it vegetarian by swapping deli meats with plant-based protein alternatives like marinated tofu or tempeh chunks.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time and refrigerate overnight to intensify the flavor profile and make meal planning easier.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 890 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg