Fresh Grinder Salad with Tortellini, Bacon, and Pepperoncini Recipe
Fresh Grinder Salad is a vibrant, hearty pasta salad featuring tender cheese tortellini, crispy bacon, and zesty pepperoncini peppers all tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing made with mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, and Italian herbs. This salad balances savory, spicy, and fresh flavors, making it a perfect side dish or light meal for gatherings or everyday enjoyment.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon Italian herbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Salad Components
- 1/3 cup drained pepperoncini peppers
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
- 19 ounces frozen cheese tortellini
- 8 slices cooked and crumbled bacon
- 1 cup halved grape tomatoes
Instructions
- Prepare the Bacon: Cook the bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Drain the grease and transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil. Once cooled, chop the bacon into small pieces and set aside for later use.
- Cook the Cheese Tortellini: Bring a pot of water to a boil on the stovetop. Add the frozen cheese tortellini and cook according to package directions, usually about 3-5 minutes until tender. Drain the tortellini and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool them down. Set aside.
- Make the Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, salt, oregano, Italian herbs, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well blended, forming a creamy, flavorful dressing.
- Assemble the Salad: Add the cooled cheese tortellini, drained pepperoncini peppers, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped red onion, halved grape tomatoes, and chopped bacon into the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss all ingredients together until evenly coated with the dressing. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- For extra tang, add more red wine vinegar to taste.
- Feel free to substitute bacon with turkey bacon for a leaner option.
- You can prepare the salad a few hours ahead and refrigerate to allow flavors to meld better.
- Use fresh herbs if available to enhance flavor.
- Rinse cooked tortellini thoroughly to prevent the salad from becoming too creamy or soggy.
Keywords: fresh grinder salad, pasta salad, cheese tortellini salad, bacon salad, Italian dressing, easy pasta salad recipe
