This Viral Sandwich Trend Just Got Turned Into A Pasta Salad, And I Might Never Buy A Sub Again

Welcome back to episode two of my pasta salad series. I usually hate to pick favorites. It feels wrong. But after one forkful of this incredibly loaded grinder pasta salad, I can confidently tell you that this is the absolute winner of the summer.

The goal here was simple. I wanted the best flavor. This dish packs all the bold, savory, and tangy parts of a classic Italian sub sandwich into every single bite. The result? Pure perfection. It has the crunch, the spice, and the creaminess all wrapped into one bowl.

Prepping the Sub Shop Ingredients

First, you need to get your ingredients ready. I used a hearty mix of ham, turkey, and salami for this batch, but pepperoni or capicola would also work beautifully here.

• The Greens: Thinly slice up some fresh, crisp iceberg lettuce and set it aside.

• The Pasta: Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a noisy boil. Drop in your pasta of choice—I love using Gemelli because the tight twists hold onto the toppings so well—and cook it until it is perfectly al dente. Drain it and let it cool completely.

The Secret Is in the Dressing

Now for my favorite kitchen shortcut. You should mix the dressing directly inside the big bowl you plan to serve the salad in to save yourself from doing extra dishes.

Whisk together your mayo, red wine vinegar, pepperoncini brine, grated garlic, oregano, Calabrian chilies, and salt and pepper. Give it a quick taste test. Mine needed an extra splash of red wine vinegar to get that true sub shop tang, so do not be afraid to adjust the liquids until it tastes exactly how you want it.

Pro-Tip: If you are making this recipe ahead of time for a party, wait to add the pasta, the lettuce, and the meats. Keep them separate and toss everything together right before serving so the lettuce stays perfectly crunchy and fresh.

The Final Bite

When you are ready to eat, toss that cooled pasta directly into the dressing bowl along with your meats and lettuce. Finish the whole thing off with a heavy shower of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, extra black pepper, oregano, and dried red pepper flakes.

Here is your bite, and here is my bite. This is officially the only side dish you need to bring to your backyard barbecues this year. Your friends will thank you.