The Ultimate Italian Sub Pasta Salad: Your New Summer Favorite!

Tired of serving the same predictable side dishes at your summer gatherings? It’s time to elevate your menu with this incredibly flavorful and vibrant Italian Sub Pasta Salad. Imagine taking all the mouth-watering components of your beloved Italian sub sandwich – the savory medley of cold cuts, the crisp, garden-fresh vegetables, and that irresistible tangy, creamy dressing – and artfully transforming them into a spectacular pasta salad. This isn’t just a simple side; it’s a show-stopping culinary creation guaranteed to be a huge hit at every BBQ, picnic, or potluck. Prepare yourself for an explosion of authentic Italian-American goodness in every delightful bite!

Pasta salad has long been a staple on summer tables, a comforting and refreshing presence at cookouts, family reunions, and casual outdoor events. While most of us have a reliable, tried-and-true recipe tucked away, there’s immense joy in experimenting and bringing something novel to the buffet line. If you’re seeking to break free from your conventional pasta salad routine and introduce a dish that truly excites the palate, this Italian Sub Pasta Salad is your perfect solution. It masterfully captures the essence of a hearty Italian hoagie – a sandwich renowned for its layers of flavor – and ingeniously translates it into a delightful, pasta-based format. And for those who are passionate about unique takes on classic deli sandwiches, you’ll definitely want to check out my equally inventive Italian Grinder Chicken Salad.

At its heart, this pasta salad is a deconstructed and reimagined Italian sub sandwich, delivered in a convenient and refreshing salad form. It features a carefully curated blend of all the elements you love from that iconic deli creation: succulent cold cuts, an array of vibrant, crisp fresh vegetables, and a signature tangy, creamy dressing. These delectable components are then generously tossed with colorful tri-colored rotini pasta, creating a symphony of textures and flavors. The result is a pasta salad that is not only visually stunning but also bursting with a full-bodied taste that evokes the authentic experience of an Italian hoagie.

Beyond its incredible taste, one of the most appealing aspects of this Italian Sub Pasta Salad is its remarkable ease and speed of preparation. You can effortlessly assemble this entire recipe in under 30 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights when you need a quick yet satisfying meal, or for those impromptu get-togethers that demand a delicious contribution without much fuss. This rapid preparation time also makes it an outstanding candidate for meal prepping. You can whip up a large batch at the start of the week and enjoy a flavorful, wholesome lunch or dinner ready to go for several days. Plus, thanks to its robust combination of hearty pasta, savory deli meats (providing ample protein), and a generous bounty of fresh, nutrient-rich vegetables, this dish truly stands on its own. It’s far more than just a side; it’s a substantial, satisfying, and complete meal, offering both convenience and deliciousness in one vibrant bowl.

The next time you’re tasked with bringing a dish to a neighborhood BBQ, a family potluck, or any casual social gathering, skip the predictable options and make a lasting impression with this truly delightful twist on traditional pasta salad. Its captivating colors, diverse textures, and bold, zesty flavors are sure to make it an unforgettable centerpiece. To craft an even more expansive and authentically Italian-American meal, consider pairing this incredible pasta salad with our equally popular and easy-to-make Italian Hawaiian Roll Sliders. Together, they create a harmonious feast that perfectly embodies the spirit of shared, delicious food, promising a memorable dining experience for everyone.

Key Ingredients for Your Flavorful Hoagie Pasta Salad

This comprehensive section offers detailed insights into each ingredient, explaining its unique contribution to the salad’s overall flavor and texture. We also provide practical substitution options, empowering you to customize this recipe to perfectly suit your preferences or what you have on hand. For exact measurements, a complete list of ingredients, and step-by-step instructions, please refer to the printable recipe card found at the very end of this article.

• Rotini Pasta — The distinctive spiral shape of rotini pasta is not merely for visual appeal; it excels at capturing and holding onto every drop of that rich, creamy dressing, ensuring each forkful is packed with flavor. The tri-color variety adds a beautiful visual dimension, making your salad even more enticing. However, feel free to use any sturdy, bite-sized pasta shape you prefer, such as bowtie (farfalle), elbow macaroni, or penne. The crucial factor is a pasta that maintains its structure when tossed and chilled.
• Cucumber — Provides a wonderful refreshing crunch and a cool, mild contrast to the more robust flavors of the meats and cheese. Select a firm, unblemished cucumber; peeling is optional, depending on the skin’s thickness and whether it’s waxed. Dice it into uniform, bite-sized pieces.
• Bell Peppers — I typically incorporate both green and red bell peppers for their appealing color variation and subtle differences in flavor – green peppers offer a slightly more herbaceous, crisp bite, while red peppers contribute a sweeter, fruitier note. You can certainly use just one color or even add yellow or orange bell peppers for an even brighter and sweeter profile.
• Cherry Tomatoes — These miniature, sweet, and juicy tomatoes burst with a delightful freshness and a pleasant acidity that brightens the entire salad. Grape tomatoes are a good alternative, though they are generally firmer and a touch less sweet. Halve them to ensure they integrate well and release their juices into the dressing.
• Red Onion — The vibrant purple hue and sharp, zesty crunch of red onions are indispensable in this salad. Their pungent flavor mellows slightly with the dressing and holds up excellently during chilling, infusing the salad with a wonderful depth. If raw red onion is too intense for your liking, dice it and soak it in cold water for 10-15 minutes, then drain thoroughly, to reduce its sharpness.
• Spinach — Adding fresh spinach not only introduces a beautiful deep green color but also provides a healthy boost of essential vitamins and a subtle, earthy undertone. Baby spinach leaves are tender and require minimal preparation, blending seamlessly with the other ingredients.
• Salad Peppers — Often found in the pickled goods aisle, these sweet and hot salad peppers (typically a mix of banana peppers and pickled onions) are a game-changer. They deliver a fantastic tangy, slightly sweet, and zesty kick that is characteristic of an authentic hoagie. If these are unavailable, sliced pepperoncini peppers are an excellent and widely accessible substitute, offering a similar briny, mild heat.
• Deli Ham, Salami, and Pepperoni — This classic triumvirate of Italian deli meats is the heart and soul of the “sub” experience in this pasta salad. Their combined savory, spicy, and subtly salty profiles are absolutely essential for that authentic taste. Dice them into small, consistent pieces to ensure even distribution throughout the salad. For variety, you could also experiment with other deli favorites like capicola or thinly sliced prosciutto.
• Provolone Cheese — With its subtly sweet, mild, and slightly sharp flavor, provolone cheese acts as a perfect unifying element, harmonizing all the diverse flavors in the salad. It adds a pleasant creaminess and a traditional Italian touch. If you prefer a different cheese, fresh mozzarella (small bocconcini or ciliegine balls, or diced larger blocks) offers a wonderful mild and creamy alternative, or consider a sharp white cheddar for a bolder flavor.
• Italian Dressing — This forms the zesty and aromatic base of our creamy dressing. Using your favorite high-quality Italian dressing ensures a consistent and vibrant flavor. Whether you prefer a robust vinaigrette style or a slightly creamier variety, select one you genuinely enjoy, as its flavor will be prominent.
• Mayonnaise — A crucial ingredient for creating that luscious, creamy texture. Mayonnaise emulsifies beautifully with the Italian dressing, creating a smoother, richer coating for all the salad components. It also helps to mellow the tanginess of the dressing, adding a comforting richness.
• Parmesan Cheese — No Italian-inspired dish is truly complete without the savory, nutty depth of grated Parmesan. While convenient pre-grated options exist, freshly grated Parmesan cheese offers a far superior flavor profile and incorporates more smoothly into the dressing.
• Italian Seasoning and Black Pepper — Italian seasoning is a fragrant blend of essential Mediterranean herbs such as oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary, providing the quintessential aromatic backdrop. A generous grind of fresh black pepper adds a subtle, invigorating kick that enhances and complements all the other ingredients.
• Fresh Parsley — An optional but highly recommended garnish, a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley adds a vibrant burst of green color and a clean, herbaceous freshness just before serving. It significantly enhances both the visual appeal and the overall aromatic profile of the salad.

Essential Equipment for Crafting Your Delicious Pasta Salad

To effortlessly prepare this incredibly flavorful Italian Sub Pasta Salad, you’ll need a few standard kitchen tools. Having these items readily available will ensure a smooth and enjoyable cooking process, allowing you to focus on creating a truly delectable dish:

• Large Mixing Bowls — You’ll need at least one generously sized mixing bowl for combining the pasta and all the salad ingredients, and a separate medium-sized bowl for whisking together the dressing.
• Whisk — An indispensable tool for thoroughly blending the dressing ingredients until they are perfectly smooth and emulsified, guaranteeing a consistent and delicious flavor throughout.
• Large Pot — Essential for boiling the pasta to its ideal al dente texture. Ensure the pot is spacious enough to allow the pasta to cook evenly without clumping.
• Plastic Wrap — Critical for covering your pasta salad tightly while it chills in the refrigerator, preventing it from drying out and allowing ample time for the flavors to deeply meld.
• Sharp Chef’s Knife — A high-quality, sharp knife is vital for efficiently and safely dicing all your fresh vegetables, deli meats, and cheese into uniform, bite-sized pieces, ensuring a pleasant texture in every bite.
• Sturdy Cutting Board — To protect your countertops and provide a stable, hygienic surface for all your ingredient preparation.

How to Make The Best Italian Sub Pasta Salad: A Detailed Guide

This section provides a clear, step-by-step guide with accompanying photos and detailed instructions to ensure your Italian Sub Pasta Salad is a resounding success. Each step is broken down to make the process simple and enjoyable. For the complete printable recipe, including all precise measurements and comprehensive nutritional information, please refer to the recipe card conveniently located at the bottom of this page.

Step 1: Achieve Pasta Perfection

Begin by bringing a large pot of generously salted water to a vigorous, rolling boil. Once the water is boiling, add your chosen rotini pasta. Cook the pasta according to the package directions, being careful to cook it only to an al dente consistency. This is crucial: the pasta should be firm to the bite, not soft or mushy, as it will continue to absorb liquid from the dressing as it chills. Immediately after cooking, drain the pasta thoroughly in a colander and rinse it generously under cold running water. This critical step instantly halts the cooking process, preventing overcooking, and also washes away any excess surface starches that could cause the pasta to become sticky or clump together in your salad. Transfer the perfectly cooled and drained pasta to a large mixing bowl, ready for the next delicious additions.

Step 2: Thoughtfully Assemble Your Salad Base

Once your pasta is properly cooled and in the large mixing bowl, it’s time to add all the other delightful components of your Italian Sub Pasta Salad. Carefully incorporate your freshly prepared vegetables: the crisp diced cucumber, vibrant green and red bell peppers, juicy halved cherry tomatoes, finely diced red onion, wholesome chopped fresh spinach, and the zesty sweet & hot salad peppers. Next, add the savory medley of diced deli meats – the classic ham, salami, and pepperoni. Finally, gently fold in the diced provolone cheese. Ensure all these ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the pasta to guarantee a balanced and flavorful experience in every single scoop.

Step 3: Craft the Creamy Italian Dressing

In a separate, medium-sized bowl, prepare the rich and creamy Italian dressing that will bring all the flavors of this salad together. Combine the Italian dressing, mayonnaise, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and a generous amount of black pepper. Take a whisk and blend all these ingredients vigorously until they are thoroughly combined, smooth, and perfectly emulsified. This ensures a consistent and harmonious flavor in every spoonful of dressing. Once your dressing is beautifully blended, pour it generously over the prepared pasta salad mixture in the large bowl. Using a large spoon or spatula, gently toss all the ingredients together with care. Continue tossing until every piece of pasta, every vegetable, and every morsel of meat and cheese is completely and beautifully coated in the creamy, zesty dressing. Avoid overly vigorous mixing to prevent mashing delicate ingredients.

Step 4: The Art of Chilling for Maximum Flavor

Once your Italian Sub Pasta Salad is fully assembled and thoroughly dressed, cover the mixing bowl tightly with plastic wrap or secure it with a well-fitting lid. This crucial step allows the myriad of flavors to marry and deepen. Place the covered pasta salad in the refrigerator to chill for a minimum of one hour before serving. However, for the most exquisite and well-developed flavor profile, an extended chilling period – ideally a few hours or even overnight – is highly recommended. This longer refrigeration time provides ample opportunity for all the individual ingredients to fully absorb the dressing and meld their unique tastes, resulting in a truly harmonious and intensely flavorful Italian experience.

Step 5: Final Stir and Elegant Garnish

Just before you’re ready to present and serve your magnificent Italian Sub Pasta Salad, retrieve it from the refrigerator. It’s important to give it a thorough stir to re-distribute any dressing that may have settled at the bottom of the bowl, ensuring every single serving is as delicious, creamy, and flavorful as the first. For an added touch of vibrant freshness and visual appeal, consider garnishing the salad with a light sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley. This bright green herb not only makes the salad look even more appetizing but also imparts a lovely, subtle herbaceous note that perfectly complements the rich Italian flavors. Serve chilled and revel in the homemade goodness!

Perfect Pairings: Serving Suggestions for Your Italian Sub Pasta Salad

This Italian Sub Pasta Salad is far more than just a superb side dish; it’s incredibly versatile and pairs beautifully with an extensive range of main courses, making it an ideal choice for nearly any meal or occasion. Its robust flavors, satisfying textures, and refreshing qualities allow it to complement various cuisines and cooking styles with remarkable ease. Here are some inspired ideas to help you best serve and enjoy this fantastic salad:

• For the Grill Enthusiasts: During summer months, this pasta salad becomes an absolute essential alongside anything fresh off the grill. Imagine its cool, zesty flavors complementing a juicy grilled chicken breast, perfectly seasoned, or a succulently seared steak. It’s also exceptionally delicious when served with our tender Crockpot Steak Bites or as a refreshing accompaniment to a slow-cooked, melt-in-your-mouth Slow Cooker Brisket.
• A Delight with Seafood: If your culinary preferences lean towards the fresh bounty of the sea, this pasta salad offers a vibrant and refreshing counterpoint. It would be absolutely amazing with flaky lemon-grilled fish, or some perfectly cooked, succulent grilled or crispy Popcorn Shrimp. The bright, delicate notes of seafood are beautifully enhanced by the savory and zesty profiles of the salad.
• Classic American Comfort Food: Let’s face it, nothing beats the timeless combination of hearty Burgers and pasta salad – truly a match made in culinary heaven. The cool, creamy, and flavor-packed pasta salad provides a perfect textural and taste contrast to a warm, juicy burger, creating a balanced and deeply satisfying meal that’s a staple at any casual gathering. It also pairs wonderfully with hot dogs, grilled sausages, or even pulled pork sandwiches.
• Embrace an Italian Feast: Naturally, this Italian-inspired pasta salad truly shines when served alongside other beloved Italian favorites. Consider it a vibrant and flavorful side to a classic Margherita pizza, a rich and comforting Chicken Parmesan, or a hearty lasagna or baked ziti. It also serves as an excellent, refreshing component on a diverse antipasto platter.
• Ideal for Light Lunches or Meal Prep: Thanks to its substantial protein from the deli meats and its generous vegetable content, this pasta salad is robust enough to serve as a satisfying light lunch on its own. It’s perfect for portioning into containers for convenient meal prep throughout the week, offering a delicious, wholesome, and ready-to-eat option for busy days.

Optimal Storage & Freezing Guidelines for Your Pasta Salad

Ensuring your Italian Sub Pasta Salad remains as delicious as possible for days to come is simple with proper storage techniques. Here’s how to best store it and why freezing is generally not recommended:

Refrigerator Storage: To maintain the salad’s peak flavor and ideal texture, any leftover Italian Sub Pasta Salad should be promptly transferred to an airtight container or have its serving bowl tightly sealed with plastic wrap. When stored correctly in the refrigerator, it will retain its freshness and delightful taste for up to 3 days. In fact, many find that the flavors deepen and meld even more beautifully overnight, often making it taste even better the day after it’s made. Always remember to give the salad a good stir before serving, as the dressing can naturally settle at the bottom of the container.

Freezing Recommendations: I strongly advise against freezing this Italian Sub Pasta Salad, and indeed most pasta salads, particularly those that feature a creamy, mayonnaise-based dressing. There are two primary reasons why freezing is not suitable for this type of dish:

• Compromised Pasta Texture: Pasta, when subjected to the freezing and thawing process, tends to undergo an undesirable textural change. It often becomes mushy, overly soft, and loses its desirable al dente bite, absorbing too much moisture. This will significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the salad.
• Dressing Separation Issues: Creamy dressings, especially those formulated with mayonnaise, are highly susceptible to separating after being frozen and subsequently thawed. This can result in a watery, oily, or curdled consistency, which drastically diminishes the visual appeal and palatability of the salad.

For the best possible experience, enjoy this vibrant and fresh pasta salad straight from the fridge within its recommended storage period.

Expert Tips for Crafting the Perfect Grinder Pasta Salad

Creating a truly outstanding Italian Sub Pasta Salad (sometimes affectionately called Grinder Pasta Salad, especially in regions known for their hoagies) involves paying close attention to a few crucial details. These expert tips and tricks will help ensure your salad is consistently a delicious success, whether you’re making it for the first time or are a seasoned pro:

• Mastering the Pasta’s Texture: This step is arguably the most critical. Always cook your pasta strictly to al dente – firm to the bite – and absolutely no more. If the pasta becomes too soft or mushy, it simply won’t hold up to being tossed and chilled in the salad, leading to an undesirable texture. You want the pasta to have a slight, pleasant resistance and maintain its structural integrity beautifully.
• The Essential Rinse: Immediately after draining your cooked pasta, it is paramount to rinse it thoroughly under cold running water. This serves two vital purposes: first, it rapidly halts the cooking process, ensuring the pasta doesn’t overcook beyond al dente; second, it effectively washes away excess surface starches. These starches can make your pasta sticky and cause the salad to clump together, which is undesirable in a cold pasta salad. Continue rinsing until the rotini is completely cool to the touch.
• Embrace Customization and Creativity: One of the most delightful aspects of this recipe is its incredible flexibility. Never feel strictly bound by the exact types of cold cuts, cheeses, or vegetables listed. If you have specific preferences – perhaps you adore briny black olives, savory sun-dried tomatoes, or prefer thinly sliced turkey over ham – feel completely free to swap ingredients out for your personal favorites! This recipe is very forgiving and truly encourages individual culinary expression.
• Maintain a Balanced Flavor Profile: When you embark on substituting ingredients, always keep the overall flavor balance of the salad in mind. If you decide to replace a sweet component, consider introducing another sweet element. Similarly, if you remove something tangy, think about what other ingredient might contribute that essential zesty kick. This thoughtful approach to substitutions will ensure your personalized creation remains delicious, harmonious, and well-rounded.
• Leverage the “Make-Ahead” Advantage: While this salad is perfectly enjoyable after just an hour of chilling, its flavors truly deepen, meld, and become more complex with additional time. Preparing it a few hours in advance, or even the day before, allows the creamy Italian dressing to fully permeate all the ingredients, creating a more cohesive and intensely flavorful experience. It is an ideal make-ahead dish for parties and meal prep.
• Taste and Adjust Before Serving: It’s common for flavors to become slightly muted during chilling. Before serving, always give the salad a taste test. You might find that it benefits from an extra sprinkle of salt, a dash more black pepper, or a small splash more of Italian dressing to truly awaken and enhance all the wonderful flavors.
• Proper Chopping for Even Distribution: Ensure all your vegetables, meats, and cheeses are diced into roughly similar, bite-sized pieces. This consistency ensures that every forkful offers a delightful mix of all the ingredients, creating a more balanced and enjoyable eating experience.

Creative Additions & Exciting Variations for Your Cold Meat Pasta Salad

The inherent versatility of this Italian Sub Pasta Salad is one of its greatest strengths. While undeniably delicious in its original form, it also serves as an exceptional canvas for your culinary imagination. Feel empowered to experiment with these thoughtful additions and innovative variations to tailor the recipe precisely to your unique tastes, dietary preferences, or simply to add an exciting new dimension:

• Inject Some Heat: For those who delight in a spicy kick, there are multiple ways to introduce a fiery element. Consider stirring in some finely minced fresh jalapeños, a generous pinch of red chili flakes directly into the dressing, or a dash of your favorite hot sauce for a customizable level of warmth. Roughly chopped marinated hot cherry peppers would also be an outstanding and authentic addition.
• Transform into a Greek Masterpiece: With a few simple swaps, you can completely redefine the salad’s profile! Replace the Italian dressing with a vibrant Greek dressing, substitute the traditional Italian cold cuts with tender slices of grilled chicken or succulent lamb gyro meat, and swap the provolone cheese for tangy crumbled feta. Then, toss in classic Greek additions like Kalamata olives, more fresh cucumber, and perhaps some thinly sliced red onion for a fantastic Greek pasta salad!
• Enhance Crunch and Texture: To introduce an extra layer of delightful textural intrigue, consider folding in some slivered almonds, lightly toasted pine nuts, or even crunchy sunflower seeds. These additions not only provide a satisfying crunch but also contribute subtle, nutty undertones that beautifully complement the other ingredients. Crispy fried onions or homemade croutons (added just before serving to prevent sogginess) could also be wonderful.
• Explore Diverse Cheeses: While provolone offers a classic touch, don’t hesitate to venture into other cheese territories. A sharp aged cheddar, creamy fresh mozzarella (small bocconcini or ciliegine balls work perfectly), pungent crumbled blue cheese, or even a smoky provolone could introduce interesting new dimensions and flavor profiles to the salad.
• Amplify the Veggies: Boost both the nutritional content and flavor complexity by incorporating additional vegetables. Consider adding marinated artichoke hearts (canned or jarred, thoroughly drained and chopped), sliced black or green olives, finely diced celery for an extra layer of crunch, or even oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes (drained and chopped) for an intensified, sweet-tart flavor.
• Create a Low-Carb / Antipasto Style Salad: If you’re looking to reduce your carbohydrate intake, this recipe is incredibly adaptable! Simply omit the rotini pasta entirely and toss all the delicious cold cuts, cheese, and vegetables together with the creamy Italian dressing. This creates a satisfying and flavorful antipasto salad that works wonderfully as a lighter meal or a robust appetizer.
• Infuse More Herbs: Beyond the suggested parsley, consider adding other fresh herbs for an even more pronounced Italian aroma and flavor. Finely chopped fresh basil or oregano stirred in just before serving will provide a wonderful herbaceous lift.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Italian Hoagie Pasta Salad

More Delicious Pasta Salad Recipes to Explore

If you’ve thoroughly enjoyed the ease, versatility, and incredible flavor of this Italian Sub Pasta Salad, then you’re in for a treat! There’s a vast and exciting world of hearty and delicious pasta salad ideas just waiting to be discovered. These additional recipes are perfect for expanding your repertoire of crowd-pleasing side dishes, fulfilling light meals, or impressive potluck contributions:

• Tri Color Pasta Salad with Homemade Dressing — A timeless and vibrant classic, featuring colorful pasta beautifully coated in a fresh, zesty homemade dressing that you and your guests are sure to adore.
• Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad — Elevate your pasta salad experience with tender, cheesy tortellini generously tossed in a fragrant, herbaceous pesto. It’s a rich, deeply flavorful, and incredibly satisfying option for any occasion.
• Classic Macaroni Salad — A universally loved, comforting, and creamy macaroni salad that remains a quintessential staple for any potluck, picnic, or family barbecue.
• Easy Caprese Pasta Salad — Bright, fresh, and elegantly simple, this salad combines the quintessential flavors of Caprese – ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and aromatic basil – with tender pasta for a delightful light dish.

Recipe

Recipe

5 from 5 votes

Italian Sub Pasta Salad

Author: Jaclyn

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 12 minutes mins

Chill Time 1 hour hr

Total: 1 hour hr 27 minutes mins

This is a great spin on that viral Hoagie Dip. I took all the elements of that delicious dip and added a few more veggies and pasta to create the best pasta salad ever! This will be a big hit at any get together and is perfect for those upcoming BBQs and cookouts in the warmer months.

Servings: 10

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Ingredients

 

Pasta Salad

• ▢ 1 pound tri colored rotini
• ▢ 1 cucumber peeled and sliced
• ▢ 1 green bell pepper diced
• ▢ 1 red bell pepper diced
• ▢ 1 cup cherry tomatoes sliced
• ▢ 1 small red onion diced
• ▢ 2 cups fresh spinach chopped
• ▢ 1 cup sweet and hot salad peppers
• ▢ ¼ pound deli ham diced
• ▢ ¼ pound salami diced
• ▢ 1 cup pepperoni diced
• ▢ ½ pound provolone cheese diced

Dressing

• ▢ 16 ounce bottle Italian dressing
• ▢ 1 cup mayonnaise
• ▢ ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ▢ ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ▢ Fresh parsley optional garnish

Instructions

• In a large pot of boiling water, cook the pasta al dente according to the instructions on the box. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop it from cooking. Place in a large bowl.
• Add the vegetables, meat, and cheese.
• In a medium-sized bowl, whisk to combine the salad dressing, mayonnaise, Italian seasoning, pepper, and parmesan cheese. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
• Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least one hour before serving.
• Stir before serving and garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.

Notes

• This recipe is very flexible. You can switch up the cold cuts, cheese, or vegetables as you like.
• Other small, bite-size pasta such as bow-ties or macaroni would work as well.
• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 563kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 934mg | Potassium: 452mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1356IU | Vitamin C: 42mg | Calcium: 231mg | Iron: 2mg

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