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Italian Grinder Pasta Salad

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salad
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz rotini pasta
  • 1 cup salami, chopped
  • 1 cup pepperoni
  • 1 cup ham, chopped
  • 1 cup mozzarella
  • 1½ cups cherry tomatoes
  • ½ red onion
  • ½ cup banana peppers
  • 2 cups shredded lettuce
Dressing
  • ½ cup mayo
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt & pepper

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Cook the Pasta
    First, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Then, cook the pasta until al dente (8–10 minutes). After that, drain and rinse under cold water.
    As a result, the pasta stops cooking and stays firm.
  2. Step 2: Prep Ingredients
    While the pasta cools, start preparing the rest:
    Chop meats into small pieces
    Slice vegetables thin
    Cut cheese if needed
    At this stage, keeping everything bite-sized will make the final dish easier to eat.
  3. Step 3: Make the Dressing
    Next, whisk together:
    Mayo
    Vinegar
    Olive oil
    Garlic
    Seasoning
    Then, taste and adjust. If needed, add more vinegar for brightness.
  4. Step 4: Combine Everything
    Now, in a large bowl:
    Add pasta, meats, vegetables (except lettuce), and cheese
    Pour dressing over
    Toss thoroughly
    At this point, make sure everything is evenly coated.
  5. Step 5: Chill
    After mixing, cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
    During this time, the flavors blend together, which improves the overall taste.
  6. Step 6: Add Lettuce & Serve
    Finally, just before serving:
    Add shredded lettuce
    Toss gently
    This way, the lettuce stays crisp instead of soggy.