This easy Italian salad is fresh and zesty made with crisp greens, cherry tomatoes, olives, pepperoncini, red onion and Parmesan. Toss with a simple Italian salad dressing for a side dish that pairs well with a variety of meals!
Other favorite salad recipes include this Olive Garden salad, antipasto salad and Caprese salad.
Simple Italian Salad
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I just crave a big, authentic Italian salad! I love how it’s loaded with lots of fresh veggies and flavorful ingredients. It’s perfect to serve as a fresh side to any Italian-inspired recipes.
This recipe is super easy to throw together and is ready in just 10 minutes. I love to bulk it up with salami and garbanzo beans for added protein. I also like to mix in some flavorful pepperoncini peppers and croutons for the perfect crunch.
It’s like your favorite antipasto platter meets a green salad!
Ingredients
Feel free to add in extras like pepperoncini peppers or mozzarella balls for extra flavor. You could also add in chopped salami, pepperoni and marinated artichoke hearts to make it more of an antipasto salad.
- Mixed greens: You can use mixed greens, romaine, iceberg lettuce, spinach, bibb lettuce or kale.
- Veggies: I add in cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and red onion, but feel free to throw in veggies of choice.
- Garbanzo beans: I love the flavor and added protein these add!
- Olives: I like to add in sliced black olives, but you can leave them out if preferred.
- Cheese: Grated parmesan cheese is my favorite, however shaved or shredded parmesan would work too. Mozzarella and feta are other great options.
- Croutons: I love to make homemade croutons. They are so much better than store-bought!
- Optional mix-ins: Salami, pepperoncini peppers, extra veggies, chopped parsley or basil.
- Dressing: Traditionally this salad is served with a zesty Italian dressing. The mix of olive oil, red wine vinegar and loads of herbs and spices pairs well with the other ingredients.
Variations
- Dressing: You can use this easy vinaigrette, Olive Garden dressing or even balsamic dressing instead.
- Veggies: Feel free to add in extras like pepperoncini peppers, marinated artichoke hearts or red peppers if you like.
- Other add-ins: Mozzarella balls, chopped salami, or pepperoni.
How to Make Italian Salad
- Wash then chop the greens and place in a large bowl.
- Add the sliced tomatoes, chopped cucumbers, garbanzo beans, olives and red onion. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese, croutons and fresh parsley over top.
- Drizzle the dressing over top and then toss with tongs. Serve immediately.
Serving Suggestions
You can easily serve this Italian salad as a main dish with salami or chicken.
We sometimes even make breadsticks or garlic bread to go along with it. It also makes a great side dish served with pizza on a homemade pizza crust or pasta carbonara.
- Pizza: Homemade pizza recipes or try this french bread pizza
- Pasta: Spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, baked ziti, alfredo, bolognese
- Soup: Pasta e fagioli, zuppa toscana, chicken gnocchi, lasagna soup
- Italian entrees: Chicken marsala, chicken parmesan, crockpot Italian chicken
More salad recipes to love include balsamic Mediterranean salad, Italian tortellini pasta salad and kale quinoa salad.
More Salad Recipes
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Italian Salad
Ingredients
- 8 cups mixed greens , chopped fine
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes , sliced in half
- 1 cup chopped cucumbers
- ½ cup garbanzo beans
- ½ cup olives
- ¼ cup sliced red onion
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
- 1 cup croutons
Optional mix-in's: salami, pepperoncini peppers, extra veggies, chopped parsley or basil
For serving: Italian dressing or Vinaigrette
Instructions
- Chop the greens extra fine and place in a large bowl.
- Next add the sliced tomatoes, chopped cucumbers, garbanzo beans, olives and red onion. Sprinkle the parmesan cheese, croutons and fresh parsley over top. Add the salami and pepperoncini peppers if desired.
- Drizzle the dressing over top and then toss with tongs. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Greens: mixed greens, romaine, iceberg lettuce, spinach, bibb lettuce, kale
- Veggies: bell peppers, carrots, radicchio
- Protein: grilled chicken or salami
- Dressing: Vinaigrette, balsamic or Italian dressing
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 30 Minute Meals, 30 Minute Meals, Dinner, Italian, Nut-Free, Salads, Vegetarian, Vegetarian, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
My kids are very picky eaters and they loved this Italian salad, thank you so much for the recipe.
Super loved this italian salad! Will surely have this again, thanks a lot for sharing your amazing recipe! Highly recommended!
Super easy to make, just the way I like it! Great recipe!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Heidi :)
All the ingredients that I love! Salads are so perfect for this season!
I had this for dinner last night and it was perfect! I love all the fresh ingredients and flavor.
This is the perfect Salad!
Love how loaded this is!!
Look at all those bright colors and fresh flavors! I want a huge helping of this salad.