Craving a salad that's not just healthy, but absolutely irresistible? Get ready to transform your meal with this mouthwatering Italian Chopped Salad that will transport your taste buds straight to the heart of Italy! Packed with crisp vegetables, creamy mozzarella, and a zesty dressing, this recipe is about to become your new go-to dish for everything from quick lunches to impressive dinner parties. Whether you're a salad enthusiast or someone who typically skips the greens, this recipe will change your mind forever!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: -
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, diced
- 1/2 cup bell peppers, diced
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, cubed
- 1/4 cup Italian dressing
Instructions
- Begin by preparing all the vegetables. Rinse the romaine lettuce thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. Shake off excess water and chop the lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Place the chopped lettuce in a large salad bowl.
- Next, wash the cherry tomatoes and cut them in half. Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the bowl with the romaine lettuce.
- Dice the cucumber into small cubes, making sure to remove any seeds if desired. Add the diced cucumber to the salad bowl.
- Peel and dice the red onion into small pieces. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can soak the diced onion in cold water for 10 minutes before adding it to the salad. Add the diced red onion to the bowl.
- Wash and dice the bell peppers. You can use any color bell pepper you prefer, such as red, yellow, or green. Add the diced bell peppers to the salad bowl.
- Slice the black olives and add them to the mixture in the bowl. If you prefer, you can use whole olives and slice them just before serving.
- Cube the mozzarella cheese into bite-sized pieces and add it to the salad bowl. For a more gourmet touch, consider using fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini) instead of cubed mozzarella.
- Once all the ingredients are in the bowl, gently toss the salad to combine all the ingredients evenly.
- Drizzle the Italian dressing over the salad. Start with about 1/4 cup and add more if desired. Toss the salad again to ensure all the ingredients are coated with the dressing.
- Let the salad sit for about 5 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
- If serving for a crowd, consider serving the salad in a large bowl with extra dressing on the side for guests to add as they like. You can also prepare the salad in advance and store it in the refrigerator, but it's best to add the dressing just before serving to keep the lettuce crisp.
- Optional additions for variety include grilled chicken, diced salami, chickpeas, or avocado. Feel free to customize the salad with your favorite ingredients!
Tips
- Freshness is Key: Always use the freshest vegetables you can find. Crisp romaine and ripe tomatoes make all the difference!
- Prep Ahead: Chop all vegetables just before serving to maintain maximum crunch and flavor.
- Dressing Hack: For an extra flavor boost, let the salad sit for 5 minutes after dressing to allow ingredients to marinate slightly.
- Customization Options: Don't be afraid to get creative! Add grilled chicken, salami, or chickpeas to make it a more substantial meal.
- Cheese Tip: If possible, use fresh mozzarella (bocconcini) for a more authentic and creamy texture.
- Onion Trick: To reduce the sharp bite of red onions, soak diced onions in cold water for 10 minutes before adding to the salad.
- Serving Suggestion: For a crowd, serve the dressing on the side to keep the salad crisp and let guests customize their portions.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 60kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: 3g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 5mg
