Description
This Italian Grinder Pasta Salad is a delicious and hearty dish that combines the flavors of a classic Italian grinder sandwich with a pasta salad. Perfect for a summer picnic or potluck!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Dressing:
- 1 1/3 cups mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon of 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)
Salad:
- 1 pound rotini pasta (cooked until al dente)
- 2 (8 ounce) containers marinated mozzarella cheese balls in oil (sliced into quarters)
- 5–6 peperoncini peppers (sliced in rings)
- 10 ounce container cherry tomatoes (cut in half) (or cut in quarters depending on size)
- 1 cup pickled red onion
- 10 slices deli Genoa salami (cut into chunks)
- 8 slices deli ham (cut into chunks)
- 20 slices pepperoni (cut into quarters)
- 1/2 head lettuce (shredded)
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, peperoncini pepper juice, marinade oil, black pepper, salt, oregano, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes until smooth. Set aside.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine cooked rotini pasta, marinated mozzarella cheese, peperoncini peppers, cherry tomatoes, pickled red onion, salami, ham, and pepperoni. Pour the dressing over the ingredients and mix well.
- Chill and serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate for a few hours to let the flavors meld. Before serving, stir in shredded lettuce.
Notes
- This salad can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- You can customize the ingredients based on your preferences, such as adding olives or bell peppers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 60mg