Description
A vibrant and flavorful Grinder Pasta Salad combining rotini pasta with fresh vegetables, Italian dressing, salami, pepperoni, and mozzarella pearls. This chilled salad is perfect for summer gatherings or as a hearty side dish, offering a delightful blend of savory, tangy, and fresh flavors with a satisfying crunch from the lettuce.
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 1 ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup Italian dressing
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 garlic cloves (grated or finely minced)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salad
- 1 pound rotini pasta
- 1 cup cucumbers (diced)
- 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes (cut in half)
- ½ cup pepperoncinis
- 1 cup salami (cut into slices)
- 1 cup pepperoni (cut into slices)
- ½ cup pickled red onions (or red onions cut into thin slices)
- 1 cup mozzarella pearls
- 1 cup crisp lettuce (romaine or iceberg)
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Italian dressing, grated parmesan cheese, grated or minced garlic cloves, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated. Cover and refrigerate the dressing until you are ready to use it.
- Cook the pasta: Cook the rotini pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse under cold water in a colander to cool it down and stop the cooking process. Drain well.
- Combine the salad ingredients: Transfer the cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl. Add the diced cucumbers, halved cherry tomatoes, pepperoncinis, sliced salami, sliced pepperoni, pickled red onions, and mozzarella pearls to the bowl.
- Toss with dressing: Pour the chilled dressing over the pasta mixture. Toss everything together gently but thoroughly to ensure the salad ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Chill the salad in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Add lettuce and serve: Just before serving, chop the crisp lettuce and fold it into the salad to maintain its crunch. Serve immediately to enjoy the freshness and vibrant flavors.
Notes
- For best texture, add the lettuce right before serving to keep it crisp.
- You can substitute the salami and pepperoni with other cured meats like ham or turkey pepperoni for variation.
- Adjust the level of red pepper flakes to control the spiciness according to your taste.
- Chilling the salad for at least an hour helps the flavors meld together beautifully.
- Use rotini or any short pasta shape that holds dressing well for optimal flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: pasta salad, Italian pasta salad, grinder salad, rotini pasta salad, mayo pasta salad, picnic salad, deli meat salad
