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Italian Grinder Pasta Salad

Italian Grinder Pasta Salad: A Creamy Dream for Gatherings

Enjoy a vibrant Italian Grinder Pasta Salad, a creamy and delicious dish perfect for gatherings that will leave everyone asking for the recipe.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

Dressing
  • 1 cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt for a lighter option
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar as an alternative
  • 2 cloves fresh garlic or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper or white pepper
  • 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes to adjust spice level
Salad
  • 8 ounces campanelle pasta or other short pasta shapes like fusilli
  • 1 cup mozzarella pearls or shredded mozzarella
  • 1/2 cup diced provolone cheese or fontina cheese
  • 1/2 cup cubed hard salami or turkey/chicken sausage
  • 1/2 cup diced pepperoni or turkey/chicken sausage
  • 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes or diced bell peppers
  • 1 small red onion soaked in ice water
  • 1/2 cup sliced pepperoncini or pickled jalapeños
  • 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce or spinach/mixed greens
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil or 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast for dairy-free

Equipment

  • medium bowl
  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Spatula

Method
 

Preparation Steps
  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, ground black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add campanelle pasta and cook according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cool water.
  3. Slice red onion and soak in ice water for 10-15 minutes. Drain and pat dry before adding to salad.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, mozzarella pearls, provolone cheese, salami, pepperoni, cherry tomatoes, onions, pepperoncini, romaine lettuce, and basil. Gently stir to mix.
  5. Pour the chilled dressing over salad ingredients, add grated parmesan, and gently fold until well-coated.
  6. Transfer to a serving dish, garnish with additional parmesan and basil. Let sit for 15 minutes at room temperature before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 12gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 8mg

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-5 days. Ingredients can be customized based on your preferences.

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