If you’re looking for an easy, flavorful meal that helps you save money on groceries and reduce food waste, this Italian grinder pasta salad is about to become a go-to in your kitchen.
It’s everything you love about an Italian sub sandwich, savory meats, crisp veggies, tangy dressing, just without the bread. What makes this recipe truly powerful isn’t just the flavor, it’s the flexibility.
This is a “use what you have” recipe which is perfect for cleaning out your fridge, stretching ingredients, and making meals that work with your budget. With summer approaching, it’s a great recipe to bring to potlucks or family gatherings because it can feed a crowd at a low cost.
Why This Recipe Helps You Save Money on Groceries
One of the biggest reasons food gets wasted is because we don’t know how to use up small amounts of leftover ingredients. This salad solves that.
When it comes to fresh veggies, you can use just about anything in this salad. Have half a pepper from last night’s dinner? A leftover onion? Cucumbers that need to be used soon? You can throw it all in this recipe. Instead of letting produce go bad, you can toss it into this salad and give it new life.
Another way it saves money is that you can stretch the more expensive ingredients like meat. You can decide how much you want to put in this salad, as much or as little as you can or have on hand. Even in small amounts it adds to the salad and gives extra flavor. You can use anything you have but some suggestions are turkey, salami, or ham.
When it comes to the pasta you can use whole grain pasta gives it extra fiber and protein. You can also use gluten-free pasta if that is preferred for your family. Whatever type of pasta you use, just cook pasta according to the instructions on the box.
More Zero Waste Recipes
My book, the Zero Waste Produce Guide includes 40 recipes that are perfect for using up your fresh produce in ways that you might not have considered before. By reducing your waste you can save big on groceries. The book also has instructions on how to wash and store your produce so that it stays fresh for weeks, giving you even more time to enjoy your fresh produce.
The Power of Versatile Ingredients
This recipe works because it relies on versatile, interchangeable ingredients. You don’t need exact measurements or specific items, just use what your family already enjoys. It is also helpful that you can customize it for picky eaters and choose to include their favorite ingredients. One thing that I recommend is keeping ingredients larger so they can be picked out easily. I will do this with things like whole cherry tomatoes and large cubes of cheddar or mozzarella cheese.
Besides this recipe, other examples of using versatile ingredients is buying tortillas instead of hard taco shells. You can use them for tacos but also for breakfast burritos, quesadillas, wraps, and more. They also can be frozen to extend their shelf life while regular taco shells will go stale once the box is opened.
Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
This Italian grinder salad is perfect for meal prep because you can make a large bowl and store it in the fridge to enjoy for several days. I recommend storing it in an airtight container. Using serving size glass containers, you have an easy quick lunch for the rest of the week. This is especially helpful for busy weeks, summer lunches, or even when you are hosting a party. You can make this salad the day before your event so it is one less thing to worry about on the day of, just take it out of the fridge and the side dish is ready. You can view the full recipe on the recipe card below.
Italian Grinder Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked pasta
- ½ cup tomatoes
- ¼ cup peppers (red & green)
- ½ cup artichokes
- ½ cup red onions
- mini cucumbers
- 14 oz garbanzo beans, drained
- ½ cup sliced deli meat
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water, according to package
- Drain and cool
- Add chopped veggies, beans, and meat as desired
- In a small bowl, mix olive oil, balsamic vinegar, oregano, and Italian seasoning
- Pour dressing over salad and mix well
- Store in the refrigerator
Leave a Comment