Best 3 Italian Flag Salad Recipes

Indulge in the vibrant colors and flavors of the Italian flag salad, a delightful dish that combines the flavors of Italy in a refreshing and visually striking presentation. This salad is a symphony of flavors, textures, and colors, featuring perfectly cooked pasta tossed with fresh, crisp vegetables, aromatic herbs, and a zesty dressing. With three variations - a classic version, a vegetarian option, and a gluten-free alternative - this recipe offers something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you're looking for a light lunch, a vibrant side dish, or a flavorful addition to your next party spread, the Italian flag salad is sure to impress with its bold flavors and stunning appearance.

**Classic Italian Flag Salad**:
This traditional recipe features al dente pasta, fresh tomatoes, sweet basil, and creamy mozzarella, all drizzled with a tangy vinaigrette dressing.

**Vegetarian Italian Flag Salad**:
For a meatless twist, this variation replaces the mozzarella with grilled zucchini and mushrooms, adding a smoky, earthy flavor to the salad.

**Gluten-Free Italian Flag Salad**:
This alternative uses gluten-free pasta and substitutes pesto for the vinaigrette dressing, creating a vibrant and flavorful dish that caters to those with gluten sensitivities.

Let's cook with our recipes!

ITALIAN FLAG SALAD

Italian Flag Salad image

Provided by Valerie Bertinelli

Categories side-dish

Time 15m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon crumbled goat cheese
1/2 small shallot, minced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
5 ounces spring lettuce mix
1 head romaine, chopped (about 4 cups)
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup sliced radishes
1 cup pecans
3 tablespoons crumbled goat cheese

Steps:

To make the dressing: Combine the olive oil, vinegar, goat cheese, shallot, 1/4 teaspoon salt and some freshly ground black pepper in a jar. Tightly close the lid and shake until thoroughly combined. Set aside.
To make the salad: Combine the spring mix, romaine, tomatoes, radishes, pecans and goat cheese in a large bowl. Pour over the dressing and toss to combine. Adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately.

ITALIAN FLAG SALAD (CAPRESE)

Italian Flag Salad (Caprese) image

So elegant and so simple. This is my little adaptation of the classic Caprese salad...everything is the same except that the fresh basil has been replaced by purchased (or homemade if you have it on hand) pesto sauce. I like this version more because I think the salty/garlicky/nutty pesto does more for the other two ingredients.

Provided by evelynathens

Categories Cheese

Time 10m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 4

Ingredients

4 perfect ripe aromatic roma tomatoes
2 (4 ounce) fresh mozzarella balls (the kind in liquid)
1 (3 1/2 ounce) jar pesto sauce (or homemade if you have the inclination)
olive oil

Steps:

Make sure you serve this on a white platter!
Wash and dry the tomatoes.
Remove the stem and cut into slices, approximately 1/2 inch thick, lengthwise.
Arrange slices decoratively on platter.
Drizzle with just the barest amount of olive oil, sprinkle lightly with salt (sea salt is wonderful!) and coarsely ground, FRESH black pepper.
Cut the mozzarella into slices approximately 1/3 inch thick and arrange 1 slice of cheese per slice of tomato.
(the mozzarella balls available in Greece are pretty small- maybe 3-4oz).
What you want is a white slice of cheese just covering the tomato slice, but with the red of the tomato peeking through.
Dot each mozzarella round with 1/2 to 3/4 tsp of pesto.
Serve with lots of crusty bread!

PASTA BANDIERA - ITALIAN FLAG PASTA SALAD

Pasta Bandiera - Italian Flag Pasta Salad image

This simple pasta salad is named for the Italian flag, which it echoes with its red, green and white ingredients. The better the tomatoes are, the better this dish.

Provided by Molly53

Categories Vegetable

Time 20m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

1 lb penne or 1 lb ziti pasta
3/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup kalamata olive, pitted (or more, to taste)
2 -3 large fresh tomatoes, chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced (optional)
black pepper
10 -12 leaves fresh basil, julienned
1/4 lb feta cheese, crumbled

Steps:

Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling water until al dente; drain.
While the pasta's cooking, mix next four ingredients together in a large bowl.
Add cooked pasta; toss so pasta is thoroughly coated with oil and tomatoes are distributed evenly.
Sprinkle with black pepper to taste and shreds of basil and toss again.
Crumble feta on top.
Toss again just before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 874.4, Fat 50.9, SaturatedFat 10.4, Cholesterol 25.4, Sodium 450.2, Carbohydrate 95.8, Fiber 14.1, Sugar 3.6, Protein 13.5

Tips:

Choose fresh, ripe ingredients. This will ensure that your salad is flavorful and delicious.

Use a variety of colors and textures. This will make your salad more visually appealing and interesting to eat.

Don't be afraid to experiment. There are many different ways to make an Italian flag salad, so feel free to get creative and try new things.

Make sure to drain the mozzarella and tomatoes well before adding them to the salad. This will prevent the salad from getting watery.

If you are using a store-bought vinaigrette, be sure to taste it before adding it to the salad. Some vinaigrettes can be quite strong, so you may want to dilute it with a little bit of water or olive oil.

Garnish your salad with fresh herbs, such as basil, oregano, or thyme. This will add a pop of color and flavor.

Conclusion:

Italian flag salad is a delicious and refreshing salad that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own personal preferences. With so many different variations to choose from, there is sure to be an Italian flag salad that everyone will enjoy.