Description
Grinder pasta salad brings Italian deli flavors dancing onto your plate with hearty meats, zesty peppers, and tangy dressing. Crisp vegetables and bold seasonings create a satisfying meal that delivers classic sandwich-inspired deliciousness you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Dairy:
- 1/3 cup salami, cubed into small pieces
- 1/3 cup grass-fed cheddar cheese, cubed into small pieces
Fresh Vegetables and Produce:
- 250 grams pasta
- 1 cup lettuce, finely shredded
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup sliced green olives
- 1/3 cup finely sliced pepperoncini peppers
Dressing and Seasonings:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons olive juice
- 1 tablespoon honey Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta in generously salted boiling water for recommended time until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain thoroughly and rinse with cold water to halt cooking process.
- Allow pasta to cool completely, spreading on a flat surface to prevent clumping and ensure even temperature reduction.
- Chop salami, cheese, tomatoes, cucumber, and green olives into uniform bite-sized pieces to ensure balanced flavor distribution.
- Shred lettuce into thin, crisp strips for added texture and freshness.
- Transfer cooled pasta and prepared vegetables into a spacious mixing bowl, creating a colorful foundation for the salad.
- Whisk mayonnaise, mustard, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, oregano, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a separate container until smooth and well-integrated.
- Drizzle prepared dressing over the pasta mixture, gently folding to coat every ingredient evenly without crushing delicate components.
- Add pepperoncini for optional zesty kick and incorporate splash of olive juice for enhanced Mediterranean flavor profile.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and intensify, creating a more harmonious taste experience.
- Serve chilled, garnishing with additional herbs if desired for visual appeal and fresh herbaceous notes.
Notes
- Customize pasta type by using gluten-free or whole wheat options for dietary preferences and nutritional variety.
- Add extra crunch with toasted pine nuts or sunflower seeds for textural complexity and enhanced flavor profile.
- Reduce mayo calories by substituting Greek yogurt or using a lighter olive oil-based dressing for a healthier alternative.
- Enhance vegetarian version by replacing salami with roasted chickpeas or marinated artichoke hearts for protein and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg