Description
Italian Grinder Pasta Salad is a vibrant, flavorful dish combining smoky turkey, plant-based cheese, crisp vegetables, and a zesty apple cider vinegar dressing. Perfect for lunch or as a side, this pasta salad offers a satisfying blend of textures and tastes, ready in under 30 minutes and fully customizable to your preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein
- 2 cups penne pasta
- 6 oz smoked turkey slices, diced
- 4 oz plant-based cheese cubes
Vegetables
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Dressing
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 1 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (natural)
- 1 tsp dried oregano (natural)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (natural)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook and Cool the Pasta: Cook penne pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta, preventing stickiness while maintaining a firm texture.
- Prep the Veggies and Protein: Dice smoked turkey slices into bite-sized pieces. Chop green bell pepper, halve cherry tomatoes, slice red onion thinly, roughly chop fresh parsley, and pit and slice Kalamata olives if needed.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, extra virgin olive oil, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until well combined with a balanced tangy and umami flavor.
- Toss Ingredients Together: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, turkey, plant-based cheese cubes, and all vegetables. Pour the dressing over and gently toss to evenly coat and distribute all ingredients.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to meld flavors beautifully. Serve chilled or at room temperature for best taste and texture.
Notes
- Use al dente pasta to prevent mushiness and retain a pleasant chew.
- Allow the salad to chill for flavor melding and enhanced taste.
- Cut all ingredients uniformly to ensure balanced flavor in every bite.
- Adjust acidity by adding more apple cider vinegar if a tangier dressing is desired.
- Best served fresh; consume within two days for optimal freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Italian grinder pasta salad, pasta salad, smoked turkey salad, plant-based cheese salad, quick pasta salad, colorful pasta salad
