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Flavorful TikTok Grinder Pasta Salad

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A vibrant and zesty pasta salad inspired by classic grinder sandwich flavors, perfect for graduation parties and casual gatherings. It combines savory deli meats, sharp provolone, crunchy veggies, and a punchy Italian dressing for a crowd-pleasing dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini or your favorite short pasta
  • 4 ounces sliced salami, chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 4 ounces sliced mortadella, chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 6 ounces provolone cheese, cubed
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • ½ cup red onion, finely chopped
  • ½ cup sliced black olives (optional)
  • ¼ cup pepperoncini peppers, sliced
  • ½ cup Italian dressing
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
  • A handful of chopped fresh parsley or basil

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of rotini and cook according to package instructions, usually 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta down. Set aside to drain thoroughly (about 10 minutes).
  2. While the pasta cooks, chop 4 ounces each of salami and mortadella into bite-sized pieces. Cube 6 ounces of provolone cheese. Dice 1 cup of cucumber, halve 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, finely chop ½ cup red onion, slice ½ cup black olives (if using), and thinly slice ¼ cup pepperoncini peppers. Chop fresh herbs like parsley or basil finely and keep ready.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup Italian dressing, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional), and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Taste and adjust acidity or seasoning if needed.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chopped deli meats, cheese, and all the veggies. Pour the dressing over the top and toss gently but thoroughly to coat everything evenly. Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt or pepper if needed.
  5. Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to 3 hours) to let the flavors marry. Before serving, give it a final toss and sprinkle fresh herbs on top.

Notes

Rinsing pasta after boiling stops cooking and cools it down, preventing stickiness. Use a salad spinner to dry veggies thoroughly to avoid watery salad. Uniform chopping of meats and cheese ensures balanced texture. Add pepperoncini just before serving for freshest flavor. Dressing can be doubled for larger crowds. Can be made ahead and chilled for better flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, TikTok recipe, grinder pasta salad, graduation party recipe, Italian deli meats, provolone cheese, easy pasta salad

Find it online: https://twinkletaste.com/flavorful-tiktok-grinder-pasta-salad-recipe-perfect-for-graduation-parties/