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Italian Grinder Pasta Salad

Italian Grinder Pasta Salad: Your Ultimate Summer Delight

This Italian Grinder Pasta Salad is a colorful and customizable dish, perfect for summer gatherings and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 300

Ingredients
  

For the Base
  • 1 pound Rotini Pasta gluten-free pasta is a great substitute
  • 6 ounces Sliced Pepperoni try turkey or chicken slices for a lighter feel
  • 6 ounces Chopped Salami swap for extra veggies if you're going meatless
  • 6 ounces Chopped Ham omit for a vegetarian option
For the Freshness
  • 4 cups Shredded Iceberg Lettuce arugula offers a peppery twist instead
  • 1 cup Sliced Red Onions green onions can provide a milder alternative
  • 1 cup Sliced Banana Peppers pickled jalapeños can add some heat
  • 1 cup Sliced Black Olives green olives make a nice substitution
  • 2 cups Chopped Tomatoes cherry tomatoes can bring an extra touch of sweetness
For the Creaminess
  • 1 cup Shredded Provolone Cheese mozzarella or crumbled feta are excellent alternatives
  • 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese omit for a dairy-free option or use vegan cheese
For the Dressing
  • 1 cup Mayonnaise use Greek yogurt for a lighter twist
  • 1/4 cup Red Wine Vinegar apple cider vinegar works well too
  • 1/4 cup Olive Oil grapeseed oil is a neutral alternative
  • 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning mix your own dried herbs if needed
  • to taste Salt essential for balancing flavors
  • to taste Black Pepper essential for balancing flavors

Equipment

  • Pot
  • Colander
  • Mixing bowl
  • whisk

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8–10 minutes. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set the pasta aside to cool completely.
  2. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the cooled rotini pasta with sliced pepperoni, chopped salami, and chopped ham. Mix well to ensure the meats are evenly distributed.
  3. Add the shredded iceberg lettuce, sliced red onions, banana peppers, sliced black olives, and chopped tomatoes to the meat mixture. Gently fold the ingredients together.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until the dressing is creamy and smooth.
  5. Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta salad mixture. Using a large spoon, gently toss everything together.
  6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the salad to an airtight container. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  7. After chilling, give the salad a quick stir to redistribute the dressing. Serve the Italian Grinder Pasta Salad cold.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 12gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 250mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 6mg

Notes

Allow the salad to chill longer than 30 minutes for the best flavor infusion.

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