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A vibrant grinder tortellini salad with various vegetables and meats.

Zesty Deli Grinder Tortellini Salad

This Zesty Deli Grinder Tortellini Salad combines tender tortellini with a medley of deli meats, fresh vegetables, and a tangy dressing, creating a vibrant and satisfying dish perfect for any occasion.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Breakfast
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Salad
  • 19 ounces cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
  • ½ cup fresh spinach, chopped
  • ½ cup quartered cherry tomatoes or diced Roma tomatoes
  • ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
  • ¼ cup sliced pepperoncini (optional)
  • ¼ cup black olives, sliced
  • 4 slices cooked ham, julienned
  • 4 slices salami, julienned
  • 4 slices pepperoni, julienned
  • 4 slices provolone cheese, julienned or cubed
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for garnish
For the Dressing
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
  • Salt to taste
  • Freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • Small bowl
  • Whisk
  • Large mixing bowl

Method
 

Cooking the Tortellini
  1. Cook the tortellini in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, following package directions.
  2. Drain the tortellini well and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking; set aside to cool completely.
Preparing the Dressing
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
Assembling the Salad
  1. Combine the cooled tortellini, shredded lettuce, chopped spinach, cherry tomatoes, red onion, pepperoncini, black olives, ham, salami, pepperoni, and provolone cheese in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients, add the ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, and toss thoroughly until everything is evenly coated.
Serving
  1. (Optional) For best flavor, refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
  2. Before serving, toss the salad again and garnish with additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

For an extra kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing. If you don't have fresh tortellini, frozen works just as well; simply follow the package instructions for cooking. Ensure all ingredients are cooled before mixing to maintain the salad's texture and freshness.