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Grinder Pasta Salad Bowl Recipe: Easy BBQ Side Dish Everyone Loves

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This Grinder Pasta Salad Bowl combines the bold flavors of a classic grinder sandwich—salami, ham, pepperoncini, creamy dressing—with tender pasta and crisp veggies. It’s a hearty, colorful, and crowd-pleasing side dish perfect for BBQs, picnics, or family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini or cavatappi pasta
  • Salt, for boiling water
  • 1 cup diced salami
  • 1 cup diced ham
  • 1 cup chopped pepperoni (optional)
  • 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
  • 1/2 cup sliced pepperoncini
  • 1/2 cup chopped red onion
  • 1/2 cup diced roma tomatoes or cherry tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup sliced black olives
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt & black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  2. While pasta cooks, dice salami, ham, and pepperoni. Wash and shred lettuce, slice pepperoncini, soak chopped red onion in cold water for 5 minutes, dice tomatoes, and slice olives.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, olive oil, dijon mustard, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, add cooled pasta, deli meats, lettuce, pepperoncini, onion, tomatoes, olives, mozzarella, and parmesan. Pour dressing over the top.
  5. Use salad tongs to gently toss everything until evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  6. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving to let flavors meld.
  7. Give one last gentle toss before serving. Garnish with extra parmesan or fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

For best texture, add lettuce just before serving. Chill salad for at least 1 hour to meld flavors. Use gluten-free pasta or dairy-free mayo for dietary needs. Soak red onion in cold water to mellow its bite. Double the recipe for large gatherings. If salad feels dry after chilling, add a splash of olive oil and toss again.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, grinder salad, BBQ side, deli meats, summer salad, picnic, easy recipe, crowd-pleaser, Italian dressing, comfort food

Find it online: https://norasfoods.com/grinder-pasta-salad-bowl-recipe-easy-bbq-side-dish-everyone-loves/