Grinder Pasta Salad

Name: Grinder Pasta Salad
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb rotini pasta; 8 oz genoa salami, diced; 8 oz deli ham, diced; 8 oz provolone cheese, diced; 2 cups iceberg lettuce, shredded; 1/2 cup pepperoncini, sliced; 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 2 tbsp red wine vinegar; 1 tsp italian seasoning; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 2 tbsp pepperoncini brine

The recipe that led the May 2026 pasta-salad wave: salami, ham, and provolone folded with shredded lettuce, pepperoncini, and cooled pasta in a creamy, tangy grinder-sandwich dressing. Plan ahead: chill at least 1 hour before serving.

25 minEasyServes 6730 cal/serving

AmericanSaladNo-CookStandardHigh FiberHigh ProteinCorn-Free

Ingredients

1 lb rotini pasta
8 oz genoa salami, diced
8 oz deli ham, diced
8 oz provolone cheese, diced
2 cups iceberg lettuce, shredded
1/2 cup pepperoncini, sliced
1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tsp italian seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 tbsp pepperoncini brine

Instructions

1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the 1 lb rotini pasta until al dente, according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water until fully cooled.
2

In a small bowl, whisk together the 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp red wine vinegar, 2 tbsp pepperoncini brine, 1 tsp italian seasoning, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder to make the dressing.
3

In a large bowl, combine the cooled rotini pasta, 8 oz diced genoa salami, 8 oz diced deli ham, 8 oz diced provolone cheese, 1/2 cup sliced pepperoncini, 1/2 cup finely diced red onion, and 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes.
4

Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss until everything is evenly coated.
5

Fold in the 2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce just before serving so it stays crisp.
6

Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld, then toss again and serve chilled.

Questions

Can I make Grinder Pasta Salad dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in this entry is 8 oz provolone cheese, diced. Swap the cheese for a plant-based melting cheese (expect a milder flavor). The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Can I make Grinder Pasta Salad gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 1 lb rotini pasta. Swap the pasta for a gluten-free one, cooked a minute short of its package time. Everything else proceeds as written.

Can I make Grinder Pasta Salad ahead?

Yes, it takes well to being made ahead. Dressed, it is best the day it is made. Keep the components separate and refrigerated and they hold about two days; dress just before serving.

Can I halve or double Grinder Pasta Salad?

Yes. As written it serves 6. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. There is no cooking pitfall here; the quantities simply scale.

Serve it with

Pan-Seared Scallops with Lemon Butter main
Patty Melt main
Carrot Ginger Soup soup

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