Nothing says summer potluck season quite like a big bowl of Italian Grinder Pasta Salad, loaded with three kinds of deli meat, melty provolone, and a tangy, garlicky dressing that clings to every twist of pasta.

You’ll love this recipe because it takes everything you crave about a classic Italian sub and turns it into a fork-friendly, make-ahead dish that’s perfect for cookouts, potlucks, or an easy weeknight dinner. It comes together in under 20 minutes with simple ingredients you can grab at any grocery store. Best of all, it tastes even better the next day, so it’s an ideal dish to prep ahead of time for guests.

Helpful Tips

Cool the pasta completely: Rinsing the cooked penne under cold water stops it from cooking further and keeps it from wilting the lettuce or turning gummy when mixed with the dressing.
Chop the meats and cheese into bite-sized pieces: Slicing the ham, pepperoni, salami, and provolone into smaller strips instead of leaving them whole makes every forkful more balanced and easier to eat.
Let it chill before serving: Popping the salad in the fridge for at least 30 minutes gives the flavors time to meld together and makes for a more refreshing bite, especially on a hot day.

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Italian Grinder Pasta Salad

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 8

Total Time 18

Course Salad

Cuisine Italian

Servings Servings

Calories 499 kcal

Ingredients

For the dressing:

1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons garlic minced
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup parmesan cheese grated

For the salad:

12 ounces penne pasta
2 cups iceberg lettuce shredded
4 ounces ham sliced
4 ounces pepperoni sliced
4 ounces salami sliced
4 ounces provolone cheese sliced
1 pint grape tomatoes halved
1/2 cup pepperoncini peppers sliced
1/2 red onion finely diced

Instructions

Cook the pasta in boiling salted water, according to the package instructions, then drain and rinse with cold water to cool the pasta.
In a jar, combine all of the dressing ingredients until smooth. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the pasta with all salad ingredients.
Pour dressing over the salad and toss everything together until evenly coated.

Nutrition

Calories: 499kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 20gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 52mgSodium: 1109mgPotassium: 456mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 771IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 176mgIron: 2mg

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