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Grinder Pasta Salad

Grinder Pasta Salad: A Fresh Twist on a Classic Favorite

This Grinder Pasta Salad offers a vibrant and fresh twist on a classic dish, making it perfect for every dietary need.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 8 ounces Mafalda Corta pasta or any short pasta
  • 2 cups fresh romaine or iceberg lettuce finely shredded
  • 6 ounces garlic Genoa salami or tofu for vegetarian option
  • 1 cup grass-fed cheddar cheese or non-dairy cheese for dairy-free
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 medium cucumber finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup green olives sliced
  • 1 tablespoon olive juice adjust to taste
  • 1/3 cup pepperoncini peppers optional
For the Dressing
  • 1 cup mayonnaise or vegan mayo
  • 2 tablespoons honey Dijon mustard or regular Dijon as substitute
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon dry oregano
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper

Equipment

  • large pot
  • Colander
  • mixing bowl
  • measuring cup
  • spatula

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Boil salted water in a large pot, then cook Mafalda Corta pasta for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cool water to stop cooking.
  2. Finely shred the lettuce and chop salami, cheddar cheese, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and sliced olives/pepperoncini.
  3. In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, lettuce, salami, cheese, tomatoes, cucumber, olives, and pepperoncini. Drizzle with olive juice and toss gently.
  4. In a measuring cup, whisk mayonnaise, honey Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, oregano, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  5. Pour dressing over the salad and gently fold until well mixed, ensuring all ingredients are coated.
  6. Serve immediately or refrigerate, keeping dressing separate until serving time for best freshness.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 15gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1500IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 2mg

Notes

The salad can be customized for dietary needs and can be made a day in advance for better flavor melding.

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