Description
This Italian Grinder Pasta Salad is a delicious, hearty mix of pasta, marinated mozzarella cheese, salami, pepperoni, pickled red onions, and a tangy dressing. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or any gathering!
Ingredients
Scale
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For the dressing:
- 1 ⅓ cups mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon peperoncini pepper juice (from the jar)
- Marinade oil leftover from the marinated mozzarella balls (use all the oil from both containers)
- ½ teaspoon fresh black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
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For the 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 into rings)
- 10-ounce container cherry tomatoes (cut in half or 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)
- ½ head lettuce (shredded)
Instructions
- Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 ⅓ cups mayonnaise, 1/3 cup red wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon of peperoncini pepper juice, marinade oil from the mozzarella balls, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) until smooth. Set aside.
- Prepare the salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooked rotini pasta, sliced mozzarella cheese balls, sliced peperoncini peppers, cherry tomatoes, pickled red onion, Genoa salami chunks, deli ham chunks, and pepperoni.
- Add the dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and gently stir to combine everything well.
- Chill: Cover the salad and place it in the refrigerator for a few hours to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve: Before serving, gently stir the salad again, then garnish with shredded lettuce (if desired) for added crunch.
Notes
- You can adjust the level of heat by adding or omitting the red pepper flakes.
- This salad can be made a day ahead, allowing the flavors to combine even more.
- Feel free to add additional ingredients such as olives, artichoke hearts, or roasted peppers if you like.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 45mg