Description
Grinder Pasta Salad is a vibrant, crowd‑pleasing side that captures the bold flavors of a classic grinder sandwich in a cool pasta bowl. Tender rotini is tossed with smoky smoked beef, spicy beef pepperoni, melty provolone, juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, tangy red onion and briny black olives. A creamy dressing made from mayonnaise, grape juice and Italian seasoning ties everything together, creating a perfect summer dish ideal for picnics, barbecues and family gatherings all years long!
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces pasta of your choice
- 1 cup smoked beef, diced
- 1 cup beef pepperoni, sliced
- 1 cup provolone cheese, cubed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- ½ cup red onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup black olives, sliced
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup grape juice
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions; drain and let cool.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, smoked beef, beef pepperoni, provolone cheese, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and black olives.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, grape juice, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss well to combine.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.
Notes
- For extra crunch
- add toasted pine nuts or walnuts. Substitute smoked beef with grilled chicken for a lighter version. The salad keeps well refrigerated for up to three days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook (assemble)
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Grinder Pasta Salad, easy pasta salad, summer pasta recipes, Italian sandwich salad, quick side dishes, party pasta salads