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Creamy Grinder Pasta Salad with Pepperoni

creamy grinder pasta salad - featured image
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A quick and easy creamy pasta salad featuring pepperoni and provolone cheese, perfect for refreshing summer meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta
  • 1 cup pepperoni slices, chopped
  • 1 cup provolone cheese, cubed or cut into small strips
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup black olives, sliced (optional)
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring 4 quarts of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually 9-11 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold running water for about 30 seconds. Shake off excess water well.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons white vinegar, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and 1 minced garlic clove. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
  4. Chop 1 cup pepperoni slices into bite-sized pieces, cube 1 cup provolone cheese, halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, slice ½ cup black olives (optional), and finely dice ¼ cup red onion.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, pepperoni, provolone, tomatoes, olives, and onion. Pour the creamy dressing over everything.
  6. Using salad tongs or two large spoons, toss everything until the pasta and mix-ins are evenly coated with the dressing. The salad should look glossy but not drenched.
  7. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let flavors meld. If pressed for time, 30 minutes works, but longer is better.
  8. Before serving, taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.

Notes

Cook pasta al dente to avoid mushy texture. Rinse pasta briefly to cool but avoid waterlogging. Chop mix-ins uniformly for balanced flavor. Make salad 2-4 hours ahead or add extra dressing if made a day before. Add extra mayonnaise or olive oil if salad seems dry after chilling.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, pepperoni pasta salad, summer meals, easy pasta salad, provolone cheese, quick dinner

Find it online: https://siennaspoon.com/creamy-grinder-pasta-salad-with-pepperoni-perfect-for-easy-summer-meals/