This grinder pasta salad has creamy and tangy Italian dressing, deli ham, turkey, tomatoes, cucumbers, provolone cheese, and pepperoncini peppers. Perfect summer BBQ side dish or appetizer.
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Viral Grinder Pasta Salad Recipe
Why did this recipe go viral? Pasta recipes are so popular on social media and get millions of views. This one has all flavors of an Italian grinder sandwich.
From the homemade creamy grinder salad dressing, savory chopped deli meats, provolone cheese, fresh vegetables, and chewy pasta. Yum.
Why is it called a Grinder?
The grinder term referred to action of the teeth when biting down on an Italian sandwich, specifically the bread.
This recipe has substituted the bread for pasta but has all the elements and ingredients you’d find in an amazing Italian hoagie or sub.
Check out these other Viral TikTok Pasta Recipes - Creamy Lemon Chicken, Cajun Chicken and Sausage, Marry Me Chicken, Millionaire Spaghetti and 17 The Best Viral TikTok Pasta Recipes !!
Ingredients and Substitutions
This easy pasta salad has two parts, a simple homemade dressing and the salad ingredients.
Grinder Salad Dressing
Mayo- Full or low fat would be delicious. Substitutions include yogurt or sour cream.
Mustard - Dijon mustard is preferred but spicy brown or yellow can be used in a pinch, I would use only teaspoon measure.
Garlic - Fresh is best but powdered could be substituted.
Vinegar - Red wine vinegar adds that tangy flavor. Any vinegar like apple cider, rice, or white can be used as well.
Honey - Add a touch of sweetness to balance the tang and salt. You can substitute regular cane sugar, agave, maple, or date syrup.
Herbs and Spices - Fresh or dried oregano, basil, or your favorite Italian blend. Red pepper flakes for a kick and black pepper to taste.
Italian Pasta Salad Ingredients
Pasta- Any short would be great. Penne, bowtie, rigatoni, fusilli, orecchiette, or shells.
Cheese - Provolone was my choice but colby jack, mozzarella, or muenster would be delicious.
Italian Deli Meats - Ham, salami, pepperoni, capicola, soppressata, turkey, or choose your favorite.
Peppers- Pepperoncini or banana peppers are a must. Substitute jarred roasted red peppers, if preferred.
Fresh Salad Vegetables- Red onions, cucumbers, and tomatoes.
Tips and Suggestions
Don’t forget to rinse the pasta under cold water right after draining it. It helps to stop the cooking and removes the starchy texture.
Replace the pasta with chopped iceberg or romaine lettuce to make an easy grinder salad. Low card and so good.
Double the pasta and dressing recipe amount to stretch it for a crowd.
Like thick and creamy pasta salad? Add sour cream or thick yogurt to get that delicious texture.
Add extra flavors like olives, capers, roasted red peppers, chopped sweet peppers, or crunchy lettuce.
Make the salad in advance, to let the flavors develop in the refrigerator overnight.
What To Serve With Pasta Salad?
Grinder pasta salad can be served with dinner, grilling and along summer sides.
Grilling Favorites - BBQ ribs or chicken, burgers, steak, or sausage.
Summer Sides - Potato salad, baked beans, coleslaw, or corn on the cob.
Lunch or Dinner - Pan fried chicken cutlets, oven roasted chicken, pizza, caprese sandwich or steak bites.
Leftovers and Storage
Keep this salad refrigerated until ready to serve. It should no be left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Set it on a big tray with ice to help regulate the temperature.
Leftover pasta salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Step By Step Photos and Directions
- In a saucepan bring water to boil to cook the fusilli pasta. Cook pasta using the package directions till al dente or the consistency you prefer. I like to overcook mine by 2 minutes.
2. Strain the fusilli and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
Make The Grinder Salad Dressing
- Grab all the bottled ingredients and prep or measure them.
2. Place them into a small bowl.
3. Whisk until nice and smooth. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.
Assemble Italian Grinder Pasta Salad
- Grab all the deli meats, cheese, and vegetables.
2. Cut the deli meats and cheese into slices or cubes.
3. Cut and prep the vegetables into small dices or size you prefer.
4. Place all the vegetables, deli meats, cheese, and cooled pasta into a large bowl.
5. Top with the grinder dressing.
6. With a spatula or spoon mix well.
7. Keep the pasta salad refrigerated until ready to eat. Garnish with whole pepperoncini peppers or herbs. Enjoy.
Grinder Pasta Salad
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls (Small & Large)
- Wire Whisk
- Cutting Board and Knife
- Measuring Tools
- Spoons
- Saucepan
- Strainer or Sieve
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup Dried Fusilli Pasta or Short Pasta of Choice
Grinder Dressing
- ½ cup Mayo
- 2 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- ½ teaspoon Garlic (Minced or Chopped)
- 1 tablespoon Red Wine Vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- ½ teaspoon Dried Oregano
- ½ teaspoon Dried Basil
- ½ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- Black Pepper To Taste
Deli/Vegetables/Cheese
- 4oz Provolone
- 6oz Ham
- 3oz Salami
- 3oz Pepperoni
- ¼ cup Pepperoncini Peppers (Sliced)
- ¾ cup Tomatoes (Chopped) About 2 small plum tomatoes
- ⅓ cup Red Onion (Chopped)
- ¾ cup Seedless Cucumbers (Chopped) About 2 mini
Instructions
Cook Pasta
- In a saucepan bring water to boil to cook the fusilli pasta. Cook pasta using the package directions till al dente or the consistency you prefer. I like to overcook mine by 2 minutes.
- Strain the fusilli and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
Make Grinder Dressing
- In a small mixing bowl combine all ingredients. Whisk until smooth. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.
Assemble Pasta Salad
- Cut and prep deli meats, cheese, and vegetables.
- In a large mixing bowl add pasta and prepped ingredients.
- Top with grinder dressing and mix well.
- Keep the pasta salad refrigerated until ready to eat. Garnish with whole pepperoncini peppers or herbs. Enjoy.
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