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Flavorful Grinder Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Italian Meats and Pepperoncini

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A quick and easy pasta salad inspired by classic Italian grinders, combining rotini pasta, Italian deli meats, pepperoncini, and fresh veggies for a tangy, savory, and satisfying dish perfect for casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340 grams) rotini pasta, cooked al dente
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) Italian deli meats (salami, capicola, pepperoni), sliced and chopped
  • 6 ounces (170 grams) provolone cheese, cubed
  • 1 cup pepperoncini peppers, sliced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ medium red onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved (optional)
  • ¾ cup (180 ml) Italian dressing, homemade or store-bought
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces (340 grams) of rotini pasta and cook for 9-11 minutes until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain thoroughly (about 10 minutes).
  2. While pasta cooks, slice and chop 8 ounces (225 grams) of Italian deli meats (salami, capicola, pepperoni). Cube 6 ounces (170 grams) of provolone cheese.
  3. Slice 1 cup of pepperoncini peppers and halve 1 cup of cherry tomatoes. Thinly slice half a medium red onion and pit and halve ½ cup of Kalamata olives if using. Chop 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, gently toss the cooled pasta with the Italian meats, provolone cheese, pepperoncini, tomatoes, onion, olives, and parsley.
  5. Pour ¾ cup (180 ml) of Italian dressing over the salad. Season lightly with salt, pepper, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder if desired. Toss well to coat everything evenly.
  6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let flavors meld. Overnight is even better if you have the time.
  7. Before serving, give the salad a final gentle toss. Adjust seasoning if needed and garnish with extra parsley or pepperoncini slices for color and punch.

Notes

Rinsing the pasta after boiling prevents clumping and mushiness. Taste before adding salt as the meats and cheese are already salty. Adjust pepperoncini amount based on heat preference. Chilling the salad for at least an hour or overnight enhances flavor melding.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, Italian meats, pepperoncini, rotini pasta, easy pasta salad, deli meats, provolone cheese, quick dinner, potluck recipe

Find it online: https://zorbmeal.com/flavorful-grinder-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-italian-meats-and-pepperoncini/