Grinder Sandwich Pasta Salad

I've been seeing a grinder sandwich recipe all over TikTok the last few weeks and I basically used the "salad" component of the sandwich as inspiration for this perfect summer pasta salad. I also added in diced salami and turkey deli meat, so it does in-fact taste SO much like a delicious deli sub, but in pasta salad form!!!

Obviously feel free to customize but I wouldn't change the red wine vinegar and mayo base and I would def make sure to use iceberg lettuce!! My favorite part besides the dressing and the pasta would definitely be the turkey! SO weird because I don't even eat deli meat, like ever... but it works SO well here.

Recipe makes enough for 4-5 sides of pasta salad!! 

What you need:

• 1/2 lb rotini pasta
• 1/2 head of iceberg lettuce
• 4-5 jarred pepperoncini peppers
• 3 slices of provolone or mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 red onion
• 4 slices of roasted turkey deli meat
• 8 slices of hard salami deli meat
• 3/4 cup mayo
• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

What to do:

1. ​Prep by cubing/dicing up all the pasta salad ingredients (including the lettuce) into somewhat equal sized pieces while you cook the rotini in salted boiling water according to the package's instructions.
2. In the bottom of a large salad bowl, make the dressing by combining the mayo, red wine vinegar, pepper, salt, oregano and red pepper flakes - whisk until smooth.
3. Build the pasta salad. Start with the iceberg lettuce and then fill in the rest of the ingredients. (Be sure to rinse the cooked pasta in ice cold water before adding it to the bowl!)
4. Mix and serve right away at room temp or you can put it in the fridge and serve chilled later.