Grinder Pasta Salad
A delicious and hearty pasta salad that combines fresh vegetables, savory meats, and creamy dressing, perfect for picnics and gatherings.
Ingredients
For the dressing
- 1 ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup Italian dressing
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic (grated or finely minced)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Main ingredients
- 1 pound rotini pasta Cooked to al dente
- 1 cup cucumbers (diced)
- 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes (cut in half)
- ½ cup pepperoncinis
- 1 cup salami (cut into slices)
- 1 cup pepperoni (cut into slices)
- ½ cup pickles or red onions (cut into thin slices)
- 1 cup mozzarella pearls
- 1 cup crisp lettuce (romaine or iceberg) Add just before serving
Instructions
Preparation
- In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, Italian dressing, grated parmesan, garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes until combined. Place this dressing in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it.
- Cook the rotini pasta according to the package directions until it is al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it in a colander under cold water.
Mixing
- Place the pasta into a large bowl. Add the diced cucumbers, halved cherry tomatoes, pepperoncinis, salami, pepperoni, pickled red onions, and mozzarella pearls to the bowl.
- Toss everything together with the dressing, add salt and pepper to taste, and chill the salad in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Serving
- Right before serving, mix in the chopped lettuce and enjoy!
Notes
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days. For best texture, keep the lettuce separate until serving.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 15gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 800mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5g
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