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Italian Grinder Tortellini Pasta Salad

Italian Grinder Tortellini Pasta Salad

This Italian Grinder Tortellini Pasta Salad brings all the irresistible flavors of your favorite grinder sandwich into a refreshing, easy-to-prepare pasta salad, perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a quick weeknight dinner. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy a classic taste in a new, convenient format.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Pasta Salad, Salad
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 (16 ounce) package tri-color tortellini cooked according to package directions and drained
  • 1 cup chopped fully cooked ham deli ham works great
  • 1 cup chopped salami Genoa salami is ideal
  • 1 cup chopped pepperoni
  • 1 cup chopped provolone cheese
  • 1/2 cup chopped red onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
  • 1/4 cup chopped black olives pitted
  • 1/4 cup Italian dressing your favorite bottled or homemade
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise optional, for extra creaminess
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small Bowl

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the tri-color tortellini and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the tortellini thoroughly and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent them from clumping together. Set aside in a large mixing bowl to cool slightly.
    1 (16 ounce) package tri-color tortellini
  2. While the tortellini is cooking, chop the fully cooked ham, salami, pepperoni, and provolone cheese into bite-sized cubes. Aim for pieces that are roughly the same size as the tortellini for a balanced bite.
    1 cup chopped fully cooked ham, 1 cup chopped salami, 1 cup chopped pepperoni, 1 cup chopped provolone cheese
  3. Finely chop the red onion, green bell pepper, and pitted black olives. Ensure the vegetables are cut into uniform pieces that complement the other ingredients.
    1/2 cup chopped red onion, 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper, 1/4 cup chopped black olives
  4. To the large bowl with the cooled tortellini, add the chopped ham, salami, pepperoni, provolone cheese, red onion, green bell pepper, and black olives.
    1 (16 ounce) package tri-color tortellini, 1 cup chopped fully cooked ham, 1 cup chopped salami, 1 cup chopped pepperoni, 1 cup chopped provolone cheese, 1/2 cup chopped red onion, 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper, 1/4 cup chopped black olives
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together the Italian dressing, mayonnaise (if using for added creaminess), dried oregano, and garlic powder. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your liking. Taste the dressing and adjust seasonings as needed.
    1/4 cup Italian dressing, 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  6. Pour the prepared dressing over the tortellini and other ingredients in the large bowl. Gently toss everything together until all the components are evenly coated with the dressing.
  7. Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Before serving, give the salad another gentle toss. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired. For an even more pronounced grinder flavor, you can lightly toast some crusty Italian bread to serve alongside.
    Fresh parsley

Notes

Store any leftover Italian Grinder Tortellini Pasta Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The salad will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 to 4 days. It’s best to keep the salad chilled at all times to maintain food safety and quality. This pasta salad is designed to be served chilled or at room temperature. No reheating is necessary. If the salad seems a little dry after refrigeration, you can stir in an additional tablespoon or two of Italian dressing or a touch of mayonnaise before serving to refresh it.