Italian Grinder Tortellini Salad Recipe
A hearty and flavorful Italian Grinder Tortellini Salad combining tender cheese tortellini with classic Italian deli meats, fresh vegetables, and a zesty homemade dressing. Perfect for meal prep, potlucks, or a satisfying lunch or dinner, this salad captures the essence of an Italian sub in a fresh and easy-to-make pasta salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (to cook tortellini)
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- ¾ cup (174 g) mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Salad
- 19 ounces cheese tortellini, cooked according to package instructions, then cooled
- ⅓ cup pepperoncini, drained and chopped
- ⅓ cup (33 g) parmesan cheese, grated
- ½ medium red onion, diced
- 1 cup (180 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup (237 g) sliced pepperoni, chopped
- 1 cup (237 g) sliced salami, chopped
- 1 cup (135 g) deli ham, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, black pepper, oregano, red pepper flakes, and kosher salt. Whisk thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add tortellini: Add the cooked and cooled cheese tortellini to the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss the tortellini to evenly coat each piece with the dressing.
- Add vegetables and meats: Add chopped pepperoncini, grated parmesan cheese, diced red onion, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped pepperoni, chopped salami, and chopped deli ham to the bowl.
- Combine all ingredients: Using a large spoon or rubber spatula, gently toss all the ingredients together until the tortellini is well coated and the salad components are evenly mixed.
- Chill the salad: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to chill and allow the flavors to meld and develop.
- Serve: Before serving, give the salad one more gentle stir to refresh the dressing coating. Serve the salad cold and enjoy.
Notes
- This salad is great for meal prep and holds well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Feel free to substitute the cheese tortellini with your favorite pasta shape if preferred.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes to your desired spice level or omit for a milder flavor.
- Make sure to cool the tortellini completely before adding it to the dressing to prevent it from getting soggy.
- The salad can be customized by adding other Italian cold cuts or vegetables according to taste.
Keywords: Italian Grinder Tortellini Salad, Italian pasta salad, tortellini salad, deli meat salad, potluck salad, easy pasta salad
