Italian Grinder Tortellini Salad Recipe
Are you looking for the ultimate summer side dish? Look no further than this amazing Italian Grinder Tortellini Salad recipe. It brings together everything you love about a classic Italian grinder sandwich but flips it into a pasta salad.
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 8
Calories 380 kcal
Large pot for boiling the pasta
Colander for draining and cooling
Large mixing bowl
Sharp chef’s knife
Cutting board
Whisk or small fork
Measuring cups and spoons
Large mixing spoon or spatula
- Refrigerated cheese tortellini – 20 ounces
- Genoa salami – 4 ounces, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- Pepperoni slices – 4 ounces, quartered
- Provolone cheese – 4 ounces, cubed
- Iceberg lettuce – 1 cup, finely shredded
- Red onion – 1/2 cup, finely diced
- Banana peppers or pepperoncini – 1/2 cup, sliced
- Cherry tomatoes – 1/2 cup, halved
- Mayonnaise – 1/2 cup
- Red wine vinegar – 1/4 cup
- Italian seasoning – 1 tablespoon
- Garlic – 1 clove, minced
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
2. Drain and Cool the Pasta
3. Chop the Mix-Ins
Place your salami, pepperoni, provolone cheese, red onion, and cherry tomatoes onto a sturdy cutting board. Use a sharp knife to chop everything into small, bite-sized pieces so they mix together evenly later.
4. Whisk the Creamy Dressing
In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, and dried Italian seasoning. Whisk the mixture vigorously with a fork until it becomes completely smooth, creamy, and well blended.
5. Combine All Ingredients
Transfer the cooled tortellini into your largest mixing bowl along with the chopped meats, cheese, and vegetables. Pour the creamy dressing over the top and gently fold everything together with a large spoon.
- Swap the meats: You can easily use turkey pepperoni, ham, or prosciutto if you want a different flavor profile.
- Add more crunch: Toss in some diced green bell peppers or chopped celery for an extra layer of texture.
- Make it lighter: Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise to cut down on calories without losing the creamy texture.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing if you love a spicy kick.
- Keep lettuce separate: Only add the lettuce right before serving so it does not get soggy in the fridge.
- Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to three days.
- Do not freeze this salad because the mayonnaise dressing will separate and the lettuce will turn mushy.
Keyword Italian Grinder Tortellini Salad Recipe