Italian Grinder Pasta Salad Recipe

There’s something truly magical about diving into a colorful bowl of Italian Grinder Pasta Salad, where every forkful takes you on a flavorful journey through layers of hearty salami, zesty pepperoni, and tangy olives.

Creating vivid dishes is my passion, and my Italian Grinder Pasta Salad is loaded with flavor and texture. It has rotini pasta, Genoa salami, pepperoni, and provolone cheese, so it’s way more than just a simple pasta salad.

Adding cherry tomatoes, red onion, and bell peppers gives the salad an eye-popping, fresh appeal. It couldn’t be easier to make—or to devour.

Italian Grinder Pasta Salad Recipe Ingredients

• Rotini pasta: Offers carbohydrates for energy, provides a hearty base.
• Genoa salami: Rich in protein, adds a savory and spiced depth.
• Pepperoni: Delivers bold flavor, complements salami while providing protein.
• Provolone cheese: Creamy and mild, adds protein and calcium.
• Cherry tomatoes: Bursts of freshness, packed with vitamins and antioxidants.
• Red onion: Adds crunch and a sharp, tangy flavor.
• Red wine vinegar: Provides a tangy, acidic punch to balance flavors.
• Olive oil: Healthy fats, enhances texture and depth.
• Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that elevates the dish’s aroma.
• Parmesan cheese: Adds savory umami and a touch of nuttiness.

Italian Grinder Pasta Salad Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 8 ounces rotini pasta
• 4 ounces Genoa salami, sliced
• 4 ounces pepperoni, sliced
• 4 ounces provolone cheese, cubed
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup bell pepper, chopped
• 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
• 1/4 cup banana peppers, sliced
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

How to Make this Italian Grinder Pasta Salad Recipe

1. Prepare the rotini pasta following the instructions on the package until it reaches the “al dente” stage. Drain the pasta, and rinse it under cold water until it is no longer warm. This will stop the cooking process and ensure that the pasta does not become mushy.

2. In a big mixing bowl, mix together the pasta that has been cooled, the salami from Genoa that has been sliced, the pepperoni that has also been sliced, and the provolone cheese that has been cubed.

3. In the bowl with the pasta, add the cherry tomatoes cut in half, the red onion sliced thinly, the bell pepper chopped, the black olives sliced, and the banana peppers sliced.

4. Combine the red wine vinegar, olive oil, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder in a small bowl; whisk to create the dressing.

5. Add the dressing to the pasta blend and mix everything thoroughly so that it’s all equally coated.

6. Add salt and pepper to taste; adjust as necessary to achieve your desired flavor profile.

7. Combine the other ingredients with the chopped fresh parsley by gently tossing them together.

8. Present the pasta salad in a serving dish or portion it out into bowls for your guests.

9. Right before serving, sprinkle the top with grated Parmesan cheese for an extra zing of flavor.

10. The Italian Grinder Pasta Salad can be served either chilled or at room temperature. And then, you can enjoy every bite!

Italian Grinder Pasta Salad Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Large pot
2. Colander
3. Large mixing bowl
4. Small bowl
5. Whisk
6. Cutting board
7. Chef’s knife
8. Measuring cups
9. Measuring spoons
10. Serving dish or bowls

FAQ

• What type of pasta works best for this salad?It is the spiral shape of rotini pasta that makes it the best choice for this salad. The shape, and hence the amount, of the pasta in each bite, make it a vehicle for the dressing and for the other salad ingredients.
• Can I use a different type of cheese?You can substitute provolone with mozzarella or any mild cheese that you like.
• How do I store leftovers?Keep the pasta salad in a sealed container in the fridge for no more than 3 days.
• Can I make this dish vegetarian?Certainly! Leave out the salami and pepperoni, and think about putting in extra veggies or chickpeas for protein.
• What can I use instead of red wine vinegar?Red wine vinegar can be swapped for apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar, which will give a slightly different flavor. The proportions remain the same.
• Is it necessary to chill the salad before serving?Indeed, allowing the salad to chill for a minimum of one hour boosts the tastes and results in a nice cool, refreshing bite. That’s especially important if you’re working with something like a grain salad, which can be a bit more forgiving on the flavor front, yet still benefit from cold serving temperatures. Here’s a general guideline to follow for chilling times:

  – Leafy salads should chill for at least 1 hour.
  – Grain and vegetable salads should chill for at least 2 hours.
  – Pasta salads should chill for 2 to 3 hours.

• Can I make this salad gluten-free?Just utilize a pasta that is free of gluten to meet any sort of dietary requirement.

Italian Grinder Pasta Salad Recipe Substitutions and Variations

8 ounces rotini pasta: substitute with penne, fusilli, or bowtie pasta.
4 ounces Genoa salami. If you can’t find salami, soppressata or capicola are fine substitutes.
4 ounces pepperoni: substitute with spicy salami or chorizo.
4 ounces provolone cheese; if necessary, substitute with mozzarella or fontina.
1 cup cherry tomatoes. Replace with grape tomatoes or diced Roma tomatoes.
1/4 cup black olives: can be substituted with Kalamata or green olives.
1/4 cup banana peppers: use pepperoncini or jalapeños for a spicier substitute.

Pro Tips

1. For an extra burst of flavor, marinate the sliced red onions in red wine vinegar for about 15 minutes before adding them to the salad. This will mellow the sharpness of the onions and infuse them with taste.

2. When preparing the dressing, add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard to the red wine vinegar and olive oil mixture. This will help emulsify the dressing and add a subtle tanginess.

3. To enhance the taste of the pasta, toss it with a bit of olive oil and a pinch of salt after rinsing. This prevents sticking and adds a layer of flavor.

4. To boost freshness, consider adding fresh basil leaves. Tear them by hand and mix them in at the end for an aromatic touch.

5. Allow the pasta salad to sit for at least 30 minutes before serving. This resting period lets the flavors mingle and develop, resulting in a more cohesive and delicious dish.