Italian Grinder Pasta Salad
This Italian Grinder Pasta Salad has all the delicious flavors of the classic sandwich! It’s loaded with savory meats, sharp cheese, and fresh veggies, all tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing. Perfect for picnics and potlucks!
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 3 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
- 4 ounces deli ham (diced)
- 4 ounces pepperoni (diced)
- 4 ounces salami (diced)
- 4 ounces provolone cheese (diced)
- 1 cup grape tomatoes (halved)
- ½ cup sliced pepperoncini peppers
- ½ red onion (thinly slice)
For the Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Cook 1 lb of penne pasta in a large pot of salted, boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain in a colander and rinse with cold water to cool completely.
- Make dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup of mayo, ¼ cup of red wine vinegar, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp of sugar, 1 tsp of dried oregano, and ½ tsp each of salt and pepper. Stir in ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese.
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, 4 oz each of diced ham, pepperoni, salami, and provolone. Add 1 cup of halved grape tomatoes, ½ cup of pepperoncini, and the thinly slice red onion.
- Toss and chill: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently until everything is evenly coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Add lettuce and serve: Just before serving, gently fold in 3 cups of shredded iceberg lettuce. Transfer to a serving dish and enjoy immediately!
Notes
- Rinse the pasta under cold water to stop it from cooking.
- For the best flavor, let the salad chill before serving.
- Wait to add the lettuce until just before you serve it.
- Feel free to use your favorite deli meats in this salad.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.