Grinder Pasta Salad

If you’re as obsessed with pasta salads as I am once the weather turns picnic-perfect, you’re going to love this grinder pasta salad. It takes all the bold, punchy flavors of the viral TikTok grinder sandwich and spins them into a creamy, satisfying, summer-ready dish that’s perfect for potlucks, weeknight dinners, or packing up for a sunny park day.

It started with a scroll (as these things do). One night, Lily showed me a TikTok of someone layering meats, cheese, and a creamy slaw-like lettuce mix onto crusty bread, calling it a “grinder sandwich.” She was mesmerized. And I—well, I couldn’t stop thinking about how good those flavors would be tossed with pasta. A few tests and tweaks later, this Italian pasta salad was born, and it’s been on repeat ever since.

Growing up, my Nonna used to make Italian subs with whatever deli meats were around, always layering the flavors just right. We’d wrap them up and take them to the beach or eat them on the porch when it was too hot to turn on the stove. This salad is a nod to those memories—with a creamy dressing twist and that essential crunch from lettuce added at the last minute.

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Ingredients for Grinder Pasta Salad

Here’s what you’ll need to make this deli salad magic happen. Feel free to mix and match based on what you have!

Pasta & Veg:

• 1 lb short pasta (rotini or mafalda corta work best)
• 1 cup shredded romaine or iceberg
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup cucumber, diced
• ½ cup pickled red onion (or regular red onion, thinly sliced)
• ½ cup sliced pepperoncini (optional, but so good!)

Meats & Cheese:

• 1 cup salami or deli turkey, chopped
• 1 cup pepperoni slices
• 1 cup mozzarella pearls (or cubed mozzarella)

Dressing:

• ¾ cup mayo
• ¼ cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt & black pepper, to taste

Optional Add-ins:

• Sliced olives
• Roasted red peppers
• Fresh basil

Lily always insists on being the official dressing mixer—she says the “magic” happens there!

If you love punchy deli flavors like these, try our Dill Pickle Pasta Salad.

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How to Make Grinder Pasta Salad

This recipe is simple enough for a weeknight but impressive enough to bring to a gathering. Here’s how to make it:

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
2. Whisk the dressing: In a large bowl, combine mayo, Greek yogurt, vinegar, mustard, garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
3. Add the pasta to the bowl with the dressing and toss until well coated.
4. Mix in the veggies and meats: Add tomatoes, cucumber, onion, pepperoncini, salami, pepperoni, and mozzarella. Stir to combine.
5. Chill for at least 30 minutes so the flavors meld together.
6. Toss in the shredded lettuce right before serving for that perfect crunch!

Eva’s Note: A trick I picked up while cooking in Italy—don’t toss the lettuce until right before serving or you’ll lose that perfect crunch!

Want more creamy, crowd-pleasing pasta salads? Don’t miss our Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad.

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Easy Customizations & Seasonal Variations

This grinder pasta salad is super flexible. Here are some of our favorite ways to change it up:

• Gluten-Free Grinder Salad: Swap in your favorite gluten-free short pasta.
• Vegetarian: Skip the meats and add chickpeas or marinated tofu.
• Fall Twist: Use roasted red peppers instead of tomatoes for a smoky, cozy version.
• Kid-Lunch Friendly: Omit pepperoncini and red onions. Tuck it into a lunchbox with a little container of extra dressing.
• Herb Boost: Add a handful of chopped fresh basil or parsley.

In the fall, I swap tomatoes for roasted red peppers—it gives a cozy, smoky twist.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Grinder Pasta Salad

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Creamy, crunchy, salty, tangy—this grinder pasta salad has it all. It’s the kind of dish that disappears fast, gets requested often, and works just as well on a paper plate at a picnic as it does on your dinner table.

So go ahead, grab a big bowl and a big spoon—and let’s turn that viral sandwich into your new favorite summer salad.

Printable Recipe: Grinder Pasta Salad

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