Grinder Pasta Salad: Deli-Style Picnic Pasta Recipe
A hearty Italian-American cold pasta salad with rotini, deli turkey, provolone, tomatoes, and tangy dressing. Perfect for picnics with bold flavors and satisfying textures.
Ingredients
- 8 oz rotini pasta
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes (5.75 oz)
- 1/3 cup banana peppers
- 1/2 cup sliced red onion (2.3 oz)
- 4 oz deli turkey
- 4 oz turkey ham or roasted beef (pork-free alternative)
- 4 oz turkey or beef salami (pork-free alternative)
- 4 oz provolone cheese (cut into 1/4"–1/2" pieces)
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp sugar
- Pinch of salt and pepper
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to boil. Cook rotini according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, tomatoes, banana peppers, and red onion (soak onion in cold water for 5 minutes if desired).
- Add deli turkey, pork-free ham alternative, and pork-free salami alternative. Toss gently to combine.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, and pepper to make dressing.
- Pour dressing over pasta mixture. Add provolone cheese (reserving some for garnish) and toss until evenly coated. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with remaining provolone and additional herbs if desired.
Notes
Use whole-wheat or gluten-free rotini as alternatives
Soaking sliced red onion softens its flavor
Leftovers store well in refrigerator for 2-3 days
Adjust dressing consistency by adding more vinegar or oil as needed
Soaking sliced red onion softens its flavor
Leftovers store well in refrigerator for 2-3 days
Adjust dressing consistency by adding more vinegar or oil as needed
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 160kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 10gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 350mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2g
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