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Creamy Loaded Grinder Pasta Salad served in a white bowl with rotini pasta, salami, cheese, lettuce, and colorful vegetables.

Loaded Grinder Pasta Salad

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Transform the classic Italian deli grinder sandwich into a satisfying pasta salad! Loaded with ham, salami, pepperoni, provolone, crisp veggies, and a zesty red wine vinaigrette, this make-ahead dish is perfect for potlucks, BBQs, and busy weeknights. Easy to customize and packed with flavor, it’s a family favorite that disappears fast.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (includes 1 hour chilling)
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound rotini pasta

8 ounces deli ham, thinly sliced, diced

8 ounces deli salami, thinly sliced, diced

4 ounces pepperoni, sliced, quartered

8 ounces provolone cheese, cubed

1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

1/2 cup red onion, finely diced

1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced

1/2 cup banana peppers, sliced, drained

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. 1. Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rotini and cook until al dente according to package directions (about 8-10 minutes). Drain, rinse under cold water to stop cooking, and transfer to a very large mixing bowl.

2. 2. Prepare meats and cheese: Dice ham and salami into small bite-sized pieces. Quarter pepperoni slices. Cube provolone cheese. Add all to the bowl with pasta.

3. 3. Chop veggies: Halve cherry tomatoes, finely dice red onion and green bell pepper, drain banana peppers, chop parsley. Add all vegetables and herbs to the bowl.

4. 4. Make dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.

5. 5. Combine: Pour dressing over ingredients in the bowl. Toss gently but thoroughly until everything is evenly coated.

6. 6. Chill: Cover bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (ideally 2-3 hours) for flavors to meld.

7. 7. Serve: Give a final stir before serving. Adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

For best texture, do not overcook pasta—keep it al dente. Chilling overnight deepens the flavor. If salad seems dry after refrigeration, add a drizzle of olive oil or a splash of red wine vinegar and toss well. This salad does not freeze well. Customize with your favorite deli meats, cheeses, and veggies.

  • Author: Charlotte Johnson
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Salad, Main Course, Side Dish
  • Method: Boiled, Tossed, Chilled
  • Cuisine: American, Italian-American
  • Diet: omnivore

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: about 1 1/2 cups
  • Calories: 620
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 1420 mg
  • Fat: 36 g
  • Saturated Fat: 11 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 52 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 24 g
  • Cholesterol: 75 mg