Print

Flavorful Cold Grinder Sandwich Pasta Salad

cold grinder sandwich pasta salad - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy cold pasta salad inspired by classic deli flavors, combining rotini pasta, deli salami, provolone cheese, and fresh veggies tossed in a tangy Italian dressing. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a flavorful lunch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340 g) rotini or penne pasta
  • 8 ounces (225 g) deli salami, thinly sliced and chopped
  • 6 ounces (170 g) provolone cheese, diced or cubed
  • 1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 small green bell pepper, diced
  • ¼ cup (40 g) red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
  • ½ cup (75 g) Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
  • ¾ cup (180 ml) Italian dressing (homemade or store-bought)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional add-ins: pepperoncini slices, sliced cucumbers, or banana peppers

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces (340 g) of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes, until al dente.
  2. Drain pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Let it drain well for about 5 minutes.
  3. While pasta cooks, chop 8 ounces (225 g) of deli salami into bite-sized pieces. Dice 6 ounces (170 g) of provolone cheese and halve 1 cup (150 g) of cherry tomatoes.
  4. Dice 1 small green bell pepper and thinly slice ¼ cup (40 g) red onion. Pit and slice ½ cup (75 g) Kalamata olives. Chop 2 tablespoons fresh parsley.
  5. In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, salami, provolone, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, and olives.
  6. Pour ¾ cup (180 ml) of Italian dressing over the top. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat every piece evenly.
  7. Taste and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your preference.
  8. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and pasta to absorb the dressing. If short on time, 30 minutes is sufficient.
  9. Just before serving, sprinkle chopped parsley over the salad. Optionally, add pepperoncini slices or cucumbers for extra crunch and spice.

Notes

Rinse pasta under cold water after cooking to prevent mushiness. Toss gently to keep pasta and cheese cubes intact. Chill for at least 1 hour for best flavor. Add extra dressing if salad feels dry after chilling. Can substitute gluten-free pasta or turkey salami for dietary preferences. For dairy-free, use plant-based cheese alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, cold pasta salad, deli salami, provolone, Italian dressing, picnic recipe, easy lunch, rotini pasta salad

Find it online: https://dahliadishes.com/flavorful-cold-grinder-sandwich-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-and-perfect/