Description
Discover the ultimate Italian Grinder Pasta Salad, an easy crowd‑pleasing recipe that blends al dente rotini with savory smoked beef, juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, briny olives, and tangy pepperoncini, all tossed in a zesty Italian dressing. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a quick weekday lunch, this colorful, protein‑rich salad stays fresh in the fridge and delivers bold Mediterranean flavors in every bite. Ideal for meal‑prep lovers seeking a satisfying, flavorful side. anytime now.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces pasta (penne or rotini)
- 6 ounces smoked beef, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/2 cup pepperoncini, sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- In a large bowl combine cooked pasta, smoked beef, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, black olives, pepperoncini, and parsley.
- Pour Italian dressing over the mixture and toss to coat evenly.
- Season with salt and pepper, then chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor
- toss the salad with a splash of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon just before serving. This salad keeps well refrigerated for up to three days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No‑cook
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Italian Grinder Pasta Salad, Italian pasta salad recipe, easy summer pasta salad, smoked beef pasta salad, quick pasta side dish, make ahead pasta salad, healthy pasta salad ideas, Mediterranean pasta salad, picnic pasta salad, protein rich pasta salad