Description
Grinder Pasta Salad is a vibrant, crowd‑pleasing side that blends al dente pasta with smoky smoked beef, crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, and briny black olives. Tossed in a creamy grape juice‑infused mayo seasoned with Italian herbs, this dish delivers a perfect balance of tangy, savory, and fresh flavors. Ideal for picnics, potlucks, or a quick summer lunch, it’s easy to prepare, serves six, and stays delicious chilled.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz pasta (your choice)
- 1 cup diced smoked beef
- 1 cup provolone cheese, cubed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup diced cucumbers
- ½ cup diced red onion
- ½ cup sliced black olives
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp grape juice
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta until al dente, drain and cool.
- In a large bowl combine pasta, smoked beef, provolone, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and olives.
- Whisk mayonnaise, grape juice, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Pour dressing over salad, toss gently.
- Chill at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For extra brightness
- add a splash of lemon juice. Substitute smoked beef with grilled chicken if desired. The salad holds up well for up to 3 days refrigerated.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: No‑Cook (aside from pasta)
- Cuisine: Italian‑American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Grinder Pasta Salad, easy pasta salad, summer side dish, smoked beef recipes, quick pasta recipes, picnic dishes, Italian dressing pasta, cold pasta salad, potluck ideas, fresh vegetable pasta