This Italian Grinder Pasta Salad is a deli-inspired twist on the viral grinder sandwich, tossed with a creamy, tangy dressing and packed with all the bold, salty flavors you love.
Think mortadella, salami, sopressata, ham, provolone, pepperoncini, banana peppers, and fresh basil all chopped small and tossed with ditalini pasta in a creamy mayo-based dressing. It’s hearty, punchy, and totally addictive. Serve this flavor-packed pasta salad at your next cookout, bring it to a potluck, or prep it for a flavor-packed lunch all week.
Why You Will Love This Italian Grinder Pasta Salad
- Viral-Inspired Flavor: Combines all the bold, tangy, meaty goodness of the viral grinder sandwich in pasta form.
- Perfect for Make-Ahead Meals: This Italian Grinder Pasta Salad gets even better as it sits, making it great for meal prep or parties.
- Fully Customizable: Mix and match meats, cheeses, or even add lettuce to mimic the grinder sandwich version.
- Crowd Favorite: Whether it’s a summer BBQ or holiday potluck, this pasta salad disappears fast.
Ingredients
- Ditalini pasta → Easily substitute with any short pasta like, elbow macaroni, small shells, or mini penne.
- Mortadella → Bologna or extra ham are great alternatives.
- Hard salami → Genoa salami or pepperoni can be used instead of salami.
- Sopressata → Capicola or prosciutto are great Italian deli meat alternatives.
- Ham → Use turkey or roast beef for a twist.
- Provolone cheese → Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or sharp white cheddar can be used instead.
- Pepperoncini → Try pickled jalapeños or diced dill pickles as an alternative.
- Banana peppers → Use extra pepperoncini or roasted red peppers.
- Submarine dressing → Substitute with Italian dressing or olive oil mixed with an oregano mix.
- Mayonnaise → Greek yogurt or sour cream can be used for a lighter version.
How to Prepare Italian Grinder Pasta Salad
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt. Add ditalini pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
- While the pasta cooks, dice the meats, cheese, onion, pepperoncini, and banana peppers into a fine chop.
- In a bowl or jar, whisk together the mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, submarine dressing, and black pepper.
- Add the slightly cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl. Add a few spoonfuls of dressing and toss to coat.
- Stir in the diced meats, provolone, red onion, peppers, and fresh basil. Toss well.
- Dress the salad to taste. Toss and garnish with more fresh basil and cracked black pepper.
- Chill before serving, or serve slightly warm for extra creaminess.
How to Serve and Store Leftovers
- Serve chilled or slightly warm, depending on your preference.
- Store leftover Italian Grinder Pasta Salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Tastes even better the next day, after the flavors have had time to meld.
- If making ahead, reserve some dressing and toss again before serving to refresh the creaminess.
What to Serve With Italian Grinder Pasta Salad
- Grilled chicken, steak, or shrimp adds protein for a full meal.
- Toasted garlic bread or focaccia for a satisfying crunch.
- Fresh fruit salad or melon wedges for a sweet, refreshing contrast.
- Caprese skewers or marinated olives for an antipasto-style spread.
- Soup, like tomato basil or Italian wedding soup for a cozy lunch combo
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time? Yes! In fact, it tastes even better after a few hours in the fridge. Just stir before serving and add a touch more dressing if needed.
- What if I don’t have submarine dressing? You can use Italian dressing or mix olive oil, dried oregano, garlic powder, and a pinch of red chili flakes to mimic that flavor.
- Do I have to include all the meats? No. Feel free to use just one or two, or swap in whatever deli meats you have on hand.
- Can I make it without cheese? Absolutely. This grinder pasta salad is still delicious without provolone, especially if you bump up the meats and peppers for more flavor.
- Is this pasta salad spicy? It’s mildly tangy from the pepperoncini and banana peppers, but not spicy. If you like heat, toss in some red chili flakes or diced hot peppers.
- What other ingredients can I add to this pasta salad? Try chopped romaine for crunch, shredded iceberg to mimic the classic grinder sandwich, cherry tomatoes, sliced black or green olives, sun-dried tomatoes, shredded mozzarella, or even a drizzle of hot honey or balsamic glaze for a unique twist.
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Italian Grinder Pasta Salad
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
Description
This Italian Grinder Pasta Salad is a deli-inspired twist on the viral grinder sandwich, tossed with a creamy, tangy dressing and packed with all the bold, salty flavors you love
Ingredients
- 12 ounces ditalini pasta
- 1/4 cup diced mortadella
- 1/4 cup diced hard salami
- 1/4 cup diced sopressata
- 1/4 cup diced ham
- 1/3 cup diced provolone cheese
- 2 tablespoons red onion, diced
- 1/8 cup diced pepperoncini
- 1/8 cup diced banana peppers
- 6–8 fresh basil leaves, torn, plus more for garnish
- Cracked black pepper, for garnish
For the Dressing:
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons submarine dressing
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt. Add ditalini pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
- While the pasta cooks, dice the meats, cheese, onion, pepperoncini, and banana peppers into a fine chop.
- In a bowl or jar, whisk together the mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, submarine dressing, and black pepper.
- Add the slightly cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl. Add a few spoonfuls of dressing and toss to coat.
- Stir in the diced meats, provolone, red onion, peppers, and fresh basil. Toss well.
- Dress the salad to taste. Toss and garnish with more fresh basil and cracked black pepper.
- Chill before serving, or serve slightly warm for extra creaminess.
- ENJOY!
Notes
- Cook the pasta just until al dente so it holds up after mixing with the dressing.
- Dice all meats, cheese, and veggies into small, uniform pieces for easy bites.
- Start with a few spoonfuls of dressing and add more as needed — don’t overdress!
- This Italian Grinder Pasta Salad gets better after chilling for a few hours or overnight.
- Save extra dressing to freshen up leftovers the next day.
- Easily customizable — use your favorite deli meats or cheese combos.
- Perfect for meal prep, BBQs, picnics, or holiday potlucks.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Salad, Lunch, Dinner, Meal Prep
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: American
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WELCOME! My name is Melissa Latin aka. Charlotte Fashion Plate. Happy to meet you! I am more than just recipes. I love fashion and style too! Most importantly, I love my Family (my Hubby and my Fur Babies). My Husband (aka my “Kitchen Bitch”) means the world to me. He’s pretty damn cool too. Not only is he one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, he also has had a lengthy career in professional hockey. Not only winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the early ’90’s, but most recently winning the Calder Cup with the Charlotte Checkers, amongst many other accolades. If you live in Charlotte and play hockey, or have a family member who plays, be sure to contact him!
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