Description
Zesty Grinder Pasta Salad brings Italian deli flavors to your table with hearty pasta, savory meats, and tangy dressing. Loaded with provolone, salami, and pepperoncini, this crowd-pleasing dish delivers maximum flavor in every colorful bite you’ll crave.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Proteins:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (rotini, penne, or bowtie)
- 1/2 pound (227 grams) deli turkey, ham, or salami, chopped
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) provolone cheese, cubed
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) mozzarella cheese, shredded
Fresh Vegetables and Toppings:
- 1 cup (150 grams) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup (75 grams) red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup (80 grams) banana peppers, chopped
- 1 cup (100 grams) iceberg or romaine lettuce, shredded
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) black olives, sliced (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until perfectly tender, ensuring a firm al dente texture.
- Immediately drain pasta and shock with cold water to halt cooking process and prevent clumping.
- Create creamy dressing by vigorously whisking mayonnaise with red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and aromatic seasonings.
- Gradually incorporate olive oil into dressing, blending continuously to achieve smooth, emulsified consistency.
- Prepare salad base by combining cooled pasta with vibrant mix of chopped cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, tangy banana peppers, crisp lettuce, briny black olives, sliced deli meats, and assorted cheese varieties.
- Drizzle prepared dressing over salad components, gently tossing to ensure comprehensive and even coating.
- Refrigerate salad for minimum 30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify, creating a harmonious taste profile.
- Remove from refrigerator, give a final gentle stir, and serve chilled for maximum freshness and flavor enjoyment.
Notes
- Rinse pasta with cold water immediately after boiling to stop the cooking process and prevent overcooking, ensuring a perfect al dente texture.
- Customize the salad by swapping deli meats with vegetarian proteins like grilled tofu, chickpeas, or roasted vegetables for a plant-based version.
- Prepare the dressing ahead of time and store in the refrigerator to enhance flavor complexity and save preparation time on serving day.
- For a lighter option, replace mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or a combination of Greek yogurt and olive oil to reduce calories while maintaining creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 330 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg