This Best Italian Chopped Salad Recipe is an amazing healthy recipe full of vegetables, meats, and cheeses on a bed of lettuce. It is one of my favorite go-to salad recipes and one of my favorite things to make with zero cooking using pantry staples. An easy salad recipe you can use for meal prep.
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
I love a salad that is full of a ton of different ingredients all mixed together! Chopped salads, such as my Mexican Cobb Salad, are just this!
Italian Chopped Salad is a delightful and flavorful salad that typically features a variety of fresh and colorful ingredients. It also can be considered an Italian Cobb Salad!
The result is a refreshing and satisfying substantial salad that showcases the vibrant flavors of Italian cuisine.
The versatility of this salad allows for customization based on personal preferences, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy a mix of textures and flavors in their salads.
Serve as a hearty salad for a main course or as a side salad.
Ingredients
Let’s talk about the ingredients you need for this recipe! You can find full ingredient list quantities and recipe instructions in the recipe card below.
The great thing about this Italian chopped salad is you can swap out or add SO many different things based on what you have or like. Here are the ingredients I have included for the recipe:
Romaine Lettuce – the base of this salad! I love the balance of crisp lettuce with nutrition and flavor that Romaine has. Green leaf lettuce also works. Iceberg lettuce tends to be bland with very little nutrition, and I do not recommend using it unless you really like or prefer it.
Arugula – a peppery lettuce that adds a ton of flavor!
Fresh Parsley – I love adding fresh herbs to salad!
Fresh Basil
Mozzarella Cheese Balls – mozzarella balls are perfect bite size! You can also chop up any fresh mozzarella cheese
Artichoke Hearts – frozen, jarred, or canned all work!
Castelvetrano Olives – I prefer these but other options include black olives, kalamata olives
Tomato – you can use cherry tomatoes, chopped roma tomatoes
Roasted Red Bell Peppers – I love to use the jarred kind for ease. You can also roast your own or use fresh bell peppers if you want that crisp crunch
Genoa Salami – I love Italian dry salami. Buy in a large piece from the deli counter if you want those large chunks, otherwise you can just cut up slices!
Prosciutto – or any other Italian meat you like such as coppa or mortadella, or even chicken!
Red Onion – thinly sliced!
Sundried Tomato Vinaigrette Salad Dressing – I made this homemade dressing specifically for this recipe, and it is amazing! Homemade Italian Vinaigrette or a red wine vinaigrette would also be great options.
Easily make this a vegetarian salad by skipping the meats!
You can also add in so many other salad ingredients based on what you prefer or have on hand! Ideas includes:
- Garbanzo Beans – or even elevate these with crispy roasted chickpeas for some crunch!
- Cannellini Beans
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- Provolone Cheese
- Persian Cucumbers
- Green Bell Peppers
- Croutons
- Parmesan Cheese
- Pepperoncini Peppers
- Green Onions
Instruction Overview
To prepare an Italian Chopped Salad, you would generally chop or dice the ingredients into bite-sized pieces, toss them together in a large bowl, and then drizzle the salad with the Italian dressing just before serving.
This can make around 2 main course salads and 4-6 smaller lunch or side salads.
Do NOT add the dressing to anything you are not eating right away as it will get soggy!
You can meal prep the recipe by mixing everything but the dressing together (stored separately) for a fast and easy meal.
FAQs
What does a chopped salad contain?
A chopped salad can be made of many different ingredients. The concept of the salad is that many things are cut up and mixed together.
What’s the difference between chopped and tossed salad?
A tossed salad is when the ingredients are mixed. A chopped salad is when things are cut in a way that you can get a bite of everything that is in the salad at one time.
What is the difference between a chopped salad and a Cobb salad?
A cobb salad is a specific type of chopped salad. It includes bacon, eggs, blue cheese, avocado, and more.
More Salad and Dressing Recipes
Salad and Dressing Recipes
Best Italian Chopped Salad Recipe
Equipment
- Knife
- Measuring Cups
Ingredients
- 1 head romaine lettuce chopped
- 1 cup arugula
- â…“ cup fresh basil chopped
- â…“ cup fresh parsley chopped
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella cheese ciliegine or bocconcini balls, or fresh cheese cut up as desired
- ⅓ cup Castelvetrano olives halved
- ¼ cup artichoke hearts about 4 quarters of an artichoke heart, rough chopped
- ¼ cup roasted red peppers chopped or sliced
- red onion thinly sliced
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes halved, or other tomatoes chopped
- 6 ounces genoa salami chopped
- 2 ounces prosciutto chopped or torn
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomato vinaigrette or dressing of choice
Instructions
- Cut and prep all of your ingredients.
- Add all ingredients into a large bowl. Toss to combine. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Garbanzo Beans – or even elevate these with crispy chickpeas for some crunch!
- Cannellini Beans
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- Provolone Cheese
- Persian Cucumbers
- Green Bell Peppers
- Croutons
- Parmesan Cheese
- Pepperoncini Peppers
- Green Onions
The ingredients are fresh and the seasonings adds a unique flavor to the whole salad and that is what i like about it!