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Fresh Grinder Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Homemade Zesty Italian Dressing

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A quick and easy pasta salad combining rotini pasta, deli meats, fresh veggies, and a homemade zesty Italian dressing for a tangy, satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340 g) rotini or your favorite short pasta
  • 6 ounces (170 g) sliced Genoa salami, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 6 ounces (170 g) sliced ham, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 8 ounces (225 g) provolone cheese, cubed or sliced thinly
  • 1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup (130 g) cucumber, diced (peeled if preferred)
  • ½ cup (50 g) red onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup (50 g) green bell pepper, diced
  • ¼ cup (15 g) fresh parsley, chopped
  • ⅓ cup (80 ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons (45 ml) red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) Dijon mustard
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 teaspoon (2 g) dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon (1 g) crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup (35 g) black olives, sliced (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces (340 g) of rotini pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain pasta in a colander, then rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down. Give it a gentle shake to remove excess water.
  3. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together ⅓ cup (80 ml) olive oil, 3 tablespoons (45 ml) red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon (5 ml) Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
  4. Slice deli meats into bite-sized pieces, cube provolone cheese, halve cherry tomatoes, dice cucumber and bell pepper, thinly slice red onion, and chop parsley.
  5. In a large bowl, toss cooked pasta, deli meats, cheese, vegetables, olives (if using), and fresh parsley until evenly distributed.
  6. Pour zesty Italian dressing over the salad. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat every bit.
  7. Cover salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors marry.
  8. Before serving, give the salad a quick toss and taste for seasoning. Adjust salt, pepper, or vinegar if needed.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool pasta. Add dressing gradually to avoid overdressing. Salad tastes better after chilling at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours. Can substitute deli meats with grilled chicken or omit for vegetarian version. Use gluten-free pasta for gluten-free option.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, Italian dressing, deli meats, rotini pasta, easy recipe, quick meal, zesty dressing, fresh veggies, homemade dressing

Find it online: https://lucastable.com/fresh-grinder-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-homemade-zesty-italian-dressing/