Description
This Classic Italian Salad is a vibrant, fresh, and flavorful dish perfect for a quick and easy meal or a side salad. Packed with crisp romaine lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, colorful bell peppers, and a delightful mix of mozzarella balls, salami, olives, and pepperoncini, all tossed in a zesty homemade Italian dressing. Ready in just 15 minutes, this salad delivers authentic Italian flavors with every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 large head of romaine lettuce
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 medium cucumber, diced
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 medium yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup olives (black or green), pitted and sliced
- 1 cup mozzarella balls
- 4 ounces salami, sliced into strips
- 1/4 cup sliced pepperoncini
Italian Dressing Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- Alternatively, for homemade dressing:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the lettuce: Wash the romaine lettuce thoroughly to remove any dirt or grit. Dry it well using a salad spinner or clean kitchen towel. Chop the leaves into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large salad bowl.
- Prepare the vegetables: Slice the cherry tomatoes in half. Dice the cucumber and both yellow and red bell peppers into small cubes. Thinly slice the red onion. Add all these vegetables to the bowl with the lettuce.
- Make the dressing (if homemade): In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper until well combined to create a flavorful Italian dressing.
- Add protein and toppings: Incorporate the sliced salami, mozzarella balls, olives, and pepperoncini into the salad bowl with the vegetables and lettuce.
- Toss the salad: Drizzle half of the Italian dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine all ingredients evenly. Add more dressing to taste, ensuring the salad is well-coated but not soggy.
- Serve immediately: Garnish with fresh herbs like basil or parsley if desired, and serve the salad fresh for best taste and crunch.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the salami and add extra mozzarella or other plant-based proteins.
- Use pre-washed and chopped vegetables to save time without compromising freshness.
- Store leftover dressing separately to keep the salad crisp if not serving immediately.
- Feel free to customize the salad by adding ingredients like artichoke hearts, capers, or roasted red peppers.
- This salad is best served fresh and can be refrigerated for up to 1 day without dressing.
