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Grinder Pasta Salad

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Grinder Pasta Salad is a fun and flavorful twist on the classic pasta salad, inspired by the delicious ingredients of a grinder sandwich. This dish combines tender pasta with a variety of meats, fresh vegetables, cheeses, and tangy dressing, making it the perfect side dish or light meal for any occasion. Whether you’re planning a backyard barbecue, a potluck, or a weeknight dinner, Grinder Pasta Salad brings a burst of flavor and texture that will impress everyone at the table.

Ingredients

Scale

Gather these ingredients to make your Grinder Pasta Salad:

  • 12 oz rotini pasta (or other short pasta shapes)
  • 1 cup salami, diced
  • 1 cup pepperoni, diced
  • 1 cup deli ham, diced
  • 1 cup provolone cheese, diced
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • ½ red onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup green bell pepper, diced
  • 1/3 cup black olives, sliced
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup Italian dressing
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Cook the Pasta:

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool.

Prepare the Ingredients:

  1. Dice the Meats and Cheeses: While the pasta cools, dice the salami, pepperoni, and ham into bite-sized pieces. Also, dice the provolone and mozzarella cheeses into small cubes.
  2. Chop the Vegetables: Slice the cherry tomatoes in half, dice the cucumber and green bell pepper, and thinly slice the red onion. Slice the black olives as well.

Make the Dressing:

  1. Mix the Dressing: In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Italian dressing, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, and dried oregano. Stir until smooth and well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Assemble the Salad:

  1. Combine the Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, diced meats, cheeses, chopped vegetables, and olives. Pour the dressing over the top and toss gently to coat all the ingredients.

Chill the Salad:

  1. Chill the Salad: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 45 minutes to an hour to allow the flavors to meld together.

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