If you've ever wanted to enjoy all the flavors of a classic Italian grinder sandwich in a lighter, meal-prep friendly way, then I think you'll love my Favorite Grinder Pasta Salad. Think crisp lettuce, tangy pepperoncini, salty meats, creamy mozzarella, and a tangy vinaigrette, all tossed with pasta for the ultimate hearty, high-protein salad. When made with protein pasta, it packs around 35g of protein per serving, making it as filling as it is delicious.
To make this pasta salad, start by preparing the dressing. Add the olive oil, red wine vinegar, dijon mustard, oregano, garlic powder, kosher salt, and ground black pepper to a small mixing bowl. Whisk the ingredients together until the dressing is smooth and fully combined. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed, then set aside.
Next, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, prepare the rest of the ingredients. Chop the iceberg lettuce into bite-sized pieces, chop the pepperoni and salami, chop the red bell peppers, thinly slice the red onions, and drain and rinse the garbanzo beans.
Once all the ingredients are prepped, place the cooled pasta in a large bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients.
Pour the dressing over everything and toss everything together until all the toppings are evenly coated.