Easy and Flavorful Chopped Italian Salad

Hey mates! You know those days when you’re craving something fresh, flavorful, and easy to throw together? That’s exactly when I turn to my Chopped Italian Salad. 

Uhmm, so yummyyy!!

I’ve got a funny story for you. Once, Dez and I decided to have a picnic on the beach with the kiddos. We packed everything – the blankets, the frisbees, the sunscreen – but completely forgot the food. Classic, right? 

Luckily, there’s this little Italian deli near our spot, and I quickly whipped up this salad on the go. The kids devoured it, and it became an instant family favorite (along with Chicken Salad). Now, it’s a staple in our house, perfect for those busy days or impromptu beach picnics.

Ready? Let’s get a little new delicious taste for your beloved one. 😉

Ingredients Used to Make Chopped Italian Salad

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 head of romaine lettuce, chopped
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
• 1/4 cup green olives, sliced
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup salami, diced
• 1/2 cup pepperoni, diced
• 1/2 cup chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

For the dressing:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make Chopped Italian Salad

Alright, let’s get to the fun part – making this tasty salad!

1. Prep the Veggies: Start by chopping up the romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, and red onion. Toss them all into a large salad bowl.
2. Add the Goodies: Next, add the black and green olives, shredded mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, diced salami, diced pepperoni, and chickpeas to the bowl. These ingredients bring in all the delicious Italian flavors we love.
3. Herbs and Freshness: Sprinkle the chopped fresh basil and parsley over the salad. This adds a fresh, aromatic touch.
4. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Give it a good mix until everything is well combined.
5. Dress the Salad: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss everything together until it’s nicely coated. Make sure every bite is packed with flavor.
6. Serve and Enjoy: Dish out your Chopped Italian Salad into bowls or plates and enjoy! This salad is perfect on its own or as a side dish.

A super easy, fresh, and flavorful Chopped Italian Salad will make your taste buds do a happy dance. Whether you’re serving it up for a family dinner or bringing it to a potluck, it’s sure to be a hit. 

So, grab your ingredients and get chopping!

Quick Cooking Recipe

• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: None (It’s a salad, silly!)
• Inactive Time: None
• Total Time: 20 minutes

Author: Jen Sharpin | So Damn Delish

Yield: 4-6 servings

This Chopped Italian Salad is bursting with fresh veggies, savory meats, and creamy cheese. It’s the ideal choice for a fast, flavorful meal that satisfies.

Ingredients

• 1 head of romaine lettuce, chopped
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
• 1/4 cup green olives, sliced
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup salami, diced
• 1/2 cup pepperoni, diced
• 1/2 cup chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

For the dressing:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Chop the romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, and red onion. Toss them into a large salad bowl.
2. Add the black and green olives, shredded mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, diced salami, diced pepperoni, and chickpeas to the bowl.
3. Sprinkle the chopped fresh basil and parsley over the salad.
4. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
5. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is well coated.
6. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

• Feel free to customize this salad with your favorite Italian ingredients. Add some artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, or even a splash of balsamic glaze for extra flavor.

For more delicious recipes, tips, and tricks, check out So Damn Delish – your go-to spot for all things yummy and easy in the kitchen!