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Grinder pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, salami cubes, olives, shredded lettuce, and creamy dressing in a wooden bowl

Grinder Pasta Salad Recipe Recap

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Bring your favorite deli sandwich flavors to the table with this Grinder Pasta Salad—a bold, creamy, and crunchy twist that’s perfect for any season. Packed with salami, sharp cheese, crisp veggies, and a tangy homemade grinder dressing, it’s everything you love about a classic grinder sandwich—just pasta-fied.Ready in 30 minutes, it's the ultimate crowd-pleaser for BBQs, lunches, potlucks, and meal prep.Try it today and taste why it’s going viral!

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4

Ingredients

Scale

For the Salad

  • 250 grams pasta (short shape like Mafalda Corta or rotini, boiled and cooled)
  • 1 cup shredded lettuce (any type)
  • ⅓ cup Garlic Genoa salami (cubed)
  • ⅓ cup grass-fed cheddar cheese (cubed)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
  • 1 cup cucumber (finely chopped)
  • ⅓ cup sliced green olives
  • 2 tablespoons olive juice
  • ⅓ cup finely sliced pepperoncini (optional or sweet peppers)

For the Grinder Dressing

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon honey Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 1 garlic clove (minced)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Boil the Pasta

  1. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water. Let cool to room temperature.

Prepare the Ingredients

  1. Chop all salad ingredients: lettuce, salami, cheese, tomatoes, cucumber, olives, and pepperoncini (if using).

Make the Grinder Dressing

  1. In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together mayo, mustard, vinegar, garlic, oregano, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until creamy and well-combined. Taste and adjust as needed.

Assemble the Salad

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with all the chopped salad ingredients. Pour the grinder dressing over the top.

Toss and Chill

  1. Gently toss everything until well coated. Serve immediately or chill for 15–30 minutes for enhanced flavor.

Serve It Fresh

  1. Garnish with extra oregano or a sprinkle of parmesan if desired. Serve as a main dish or hearty side.

Notes

Nutrient Amount
Calories 420 kcal
Total Fat 26g
Saturated Fat 6g
Cholesterol 40mg
Sodium 780mg
Carbohydrates 30g
Fiber 3g
Sugar 4g
Protein 14g
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: main dish, Salad
  • Cuisine: American, Italian