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Italian Grinder Pasta Salad

Delicious Italian Grinder Pasta Salad for Summer Gatherings

This Italian Grinder Pasta Salad is a vibrant, flavor-packed dish perfect for summer gatherings.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Chilling Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 42 minutes
Servings: 8 cups
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

Dressing
  • 1 cup Mayonnaise light mayo can be used for a healthier option
  • 3 tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar are great substitutes
  • 1-2 cloves Fresh Garlic minced; garlic powder can be used in a pinch
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano try an Italian seasoning blend for a different taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper regular black pepper works too
  • 1 pinch Crushed Red Pepper Flakes offers a spicy kick; omit for milder flavor
Pasta Salad
  • 1 pound Campanelle Pasta any short pasta like fusilli or rotini can be swapped in
  • 8 ounces Mozzarella Pearls diced fresh mozzarella can be used instead
  • 6 ounces Provolone Cheese diced; Monterey Jack or cheddar are good alternatives
  • 2.5 ounces Hard Salami diced; consider using Genoa or turkey salami
  • 2.5 ounces Pepperoni diced; feel free to omit if you prefer less heat
  • 2 cups Cherry Tomatoes halved; diced Roma tomatoes are a good substitute
  • 1 cup Red Onion soaked in ice water
  • 1/2 cup Pepperoncini sliced; banana peppers can be a tasty alternative
  • 1/2 medium head Romaine Lettuce thinly sliced, about 1 cup; mixed greens are a viable substitution
  • 2 tablespoons Fresh Basil thinly sliced; fresh parsley can be used for a different herb profile
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated; Pecorino Romano is another choice

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • pot
  • Colander
  • whisk

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes until smooth. Cover and refrigerate.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add campanelle pasta and cook according to package directions, about 10-12 minutes, until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  3. Shake off excess water from pasta and let cool completely on a clean kitchen towel.
  4. Soak red onion slices in ice water for 10-15 minutes, then drain and pat dry.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, mozzarella pearls, provolone cheese, salami, pepperoni, drained red onion, pepperoncini, romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil. Toss gently.
  6. Drizzle the creamy dressing over the salad and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Toss gently to combine.
  7. Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with extra parmesan and basil. Serve within 30 minutes for optimal freshness.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 12gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 250mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 5mg

Notes

For best results, mix salad ingredients and dressing just before serving. Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-5 days.

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