Best 6 Italian Mixed Salad Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

**A burst of Italian flavors and colors, this Italian Mixed Salad is a symphony of fresh, seasonal vegetables tossed in a tangy vinaigrette dressing.**

**Savory cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, sweet bell peppers, crunchy red onions, and briny olives come together in perfect harmony, creating a refreshing and vibrant side dish.**

**A handful of aromatic basil leaves adds a final touch of herbaceousness, while the tangy vinaigrette dressing, made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey, ties all the flavors together.**

**This Italian Mixed Salad is not only delicious but also incredibly versatile. Serve it as a light lunch or dinner, pair it with grilled meats or fish, or pack it for a picnic.**

**With its vibrant colors and refreshing taste, this salad is sure to be a hit at any gathering.**

**In this article, we'll provide you with two variations of this classic salad:**

* **The first recipe features the traditional Italian dressing, while the second one introduces a creamy avocado dressing for a richer flavor.**

**Both recipes are easy to follow and can be customized to your liking. So, gather your ingredients and let's get started!**

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

ITALIAN PASTA SALAD RECIPE



Italian Pasta Salad Recipe image

This is one satisfying and flavor-packed cold pasta salad with crunchy veggies, fresh herbs, rustic old-world salami, tangy olives, and mozzarella. A zesty Italian dressing brings it all together.

Provided by Suzy Karadsheh

Categories     Salad

Number Of Ingredients 18

¾ lb pasta, ((I recommend fusilli or rotini pasta) )
Kosher salt
1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
1 bell pepper (any color, cored and chopped)
1 shallot (chopped)
1 cup marinated artichoke hearts (6 ounces)
1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives
6 pepperoncini, (chopped)
6 to 8 ounces salami, (sliced into bite size pieces )
6 ounces mozzarella cheese, (torn (or mozzarella cheese balls))
½ cup packed chopped fresh parsley
½ cup packed chopped fresh basil leaves
¼ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 garlic cloves, (minced)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ to 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Kosher salt and black pepper

Steps:

  • Cook the pasta in boiling water according to package instructions until the pasta is cooked to al dante (don't forget to salt your water). Drain
  • In a large bowl, mix the pasta with the tomatoes, chopped veggies, artichoke hearts, olives, pepperoncini, salami, mozzarella, and fresh herbs.
  • In a small bowl or measuring cup, mix the dressing ingredients together.
  • Pour the dressing over the pasta and toss to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 292.3 kcal, Carbohydrate 31.1 g, Protein 13.2 g, SaturatedFat 4.6 g, Cholesterol 26.9 mg, Sodium 748.4 mg, Fiber 2.7 g, ServingSize 1 serving

ITALIAN CHOPPED SALAD



Italian Chopped Salad image

This Italian Chopped Salad rivals any restaurant Italian salad there is. It's one of my favorite chopped salad recipes because it's loaded with a variety of healthy ingredients tossed in a delicious homemade Italian dressing that will have you coming back for seconds!

Provided by Deborah

Categories     Salads

Time 20m

Number Of Ingredients 21

2-1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1-1/2 tablespoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, plus more to taste
2 garlic cloves, minced
1-1/2 tablespoons minced kalamata olives
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
1-1/2 cups good extra-virgin olive oil
Half of a small red onion, halved through the core
1-1/2 cups canned garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
4 cups romaine lettuce (about 1 large or two small heads), rinsed, dried and chopped
2 cups radicchio (about 1 medium head)
1 pint small sweet cherry tomatoes, halved through the stem ends
1 large cucumber, peeled and seeded then cut in half and sliced
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese (or 4 ounces aged provolone, sliced into strips)
5 peperoncini, stems cut off and discarded, thinly sliced
1/2 cup kalamata olives
1/2 cup Italian Vinaigrette
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Dired oregano, for sprinkling

Steps:

  • Slice the layers of onions lengthwise 1/16 inch thick. Place the onion slices in a small bowl of ice water and set aside.
  • Drain the onion and pat dry with paper towels before adding them to the salad.
  • Thinly slice the lettuce and radicchio.
  • In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, radicchio, tomatoes,cucumber, garbanzo beans, cheese, ,peperoncini, and onion slices.
  • Toss to thoroughly combine the ingredients.
  • Drizzle 1/2 cup of the vinaigrette and the juice of the lemon over the salad, then toss gently to coat the salad with the dressing.
  • Taste for seasoning and add more lemon juice, or vinaigrette if desired.
  • Sprinkle with extra oregano and serve.
  • Combine the vinegar, oregano, lemon juice, garlic, kalamata olives, Parmesan cheese, and pepper in a medium bowl and whisk to combine the ingredients.
  • Set aside for 5 minutes to marinate the oregano and basil.
  • Add the olive oil in a slow thin stream, whisking constantly to combine. You can also add all the ingredients to a glass jar with a lid and shake to combine.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 673 calories, Carbohydrate 26 grams carbohydrates, Cholesterol 5 milligrams cholesterol, Fat 62 grams fat, Fiber 6 grams fiber, Protein 7 grams protein, SaturatedFat 9 grams saturated fat, ServingSize 1, Sodium 1043 milligrams sodium, Sugar 11 grams sugar, TransFat 0 grams trans fat, UnsaturatedFat 51 grams unsaturated fat

ITALIAN MIXED SALAD



Italian Mixed Salad image

Stress free vegetable salad gives perfect accompaniment to your food - perfect if you love Italian cuisine.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Side Dish

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

4 cups bite-size pieces romaine lettuce
1 jar (6 oz.) marinated quartered artichoke hearts, drained
1 jar (6 oz.) whole mushrooms, drained
2 Italian plum tomatoes, cut into small wedges
1/2 small cucumber, halved lengthwise, seeded and sliced
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

Steps:

  • In large bowl, combine all ingredients except oil and vinegar; toss to mix.
  • Drizzle salad with oil and vinegar; toss gently to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 180, Carbohydrate 10 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fat 3, Fiber 5 g, Protein 4 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 320 mg, Sugar 4 g

ITALIAN VEGETABLE SALAD



Italian Vegetable Salad image

Even our two small children eat their vegetables when I serve this colorful nutritious combination. To make it a main dish, I'll stir pepperoni slices and cooked cooled pasta into the crunchy, creamy blend. -Debbie Laubach, La Prairie, Minnesota

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 20m

Yield 14 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

5 cups fresh broccoli florets (1 large bunch)
5 cups fresh cauliflowerets (1 small head)
4 plum tomatoes, chopped
1 medium cucumber, peeled and sliced
1 medium sweet onion, thinly sliced
1 cup sliced fresh carrots
2 cans (2-1/4 ounces each) sliced ripe olives, drained
1/2 cup pimiento-stuffed olives
1 bottle (8 ounces) Italian salad dressing
1 bottle (8 ounces) creamy Italian salad dressing
2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Steps:

  • In a large salad bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. Combine salad dressings; pour over vegetable mixture and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Stir in cheese just before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 0g saturated fat (0 sugars, Fat 0 fiber).

ITALIAN LEAFY GREEN SALAD



Italian Leafy Green Salad image

Grapeseed oil is the secret to this salad. If you cannot find it, use olive oil. Preparation time is 15 Minutes. This recipe is from The WEBB Cooks, articles and recipes by Robyn Webb, courtesy of the American Diabetes Association.

Provided by Robyn Webb

Categories     Salad     Green Salad Recipes     Mixed Greens Salad Recipes

Time 15m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 cups romaine lettuce - torn, washed and dried
1 cup torn escarole
1 cup torn radicchio
1 cup torn red leaf lettuce
¼ cup chopped green onions
½ red bell pepper, sliced into rings
½ green bell pepper, sliced in rings
12 cherry tomatoes
¼ cup grapeseed oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the romaine, escarole, radicchio, red-leaf, scallions, red pepper, green pepper and cherry tomatoes.
  • Whisk together the grapeseed oil, basil, vinegar, lemon juice and salt and pepper. Pour over salad, toss and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 109.8 calories, Carbohydrate 6.5 g, Fat 9.4 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 1.2 g, SaturatedFat 0.9 g, Sodium 14.9 mg, Sugar 2.7 g

ITALIAN SALAD WITH LEMON VINAIGRETTE



Italian Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette image

For an Italian twist on salad, I mix greens with red onion, mushrooms, olives, pepperoncini, lemon juice and Italian seasoning. Add tomatoes and carrots if you like. -Deborah Loop, Clinton Township, Michigan

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch     Side Dishes

Time 20m

Yield 8 servings (1/2 cup vinaigrette).

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 package (5 ounces) spring mix salad greens
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1 cup assorted olives, pitted and coarsely chopped
8 pepperoncini
Optional toppings: Chopped tomatoes, shredded carrots and grated Parmesan cheese
VINAIGRETTE:
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the first five ingredients; toss lightly. If desired, add toppings., In a small bowl, whisk vinaigrette ingredients until blended. Serve with salad.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 109 calories, Fat 11g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 343mg sodium, Carbohydrate 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
  • Wash all produce thoroughly before using.
  • If using a store-bought dressing, check the label for added sugar and sodium content.
  • To make a healthier dressing, use olive oil, vinegar, and herbs.
  • Add some protein to your salad with grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu.
  • For a vegetarian option, use a variety of vegetables and legumes.
  • Serve your salad immediately after preparing it for the best flavor and texture.

Conclusion:

Italian mixed salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish that can be enjoyed as a side or main course. With its variety of fresh vegetables, herbs, and dressing, this salad is a great way to get your daily dose of fruits and vegetables. Experiment with different ingredients and dressings to find your favorite combination. Whether you prefer a classic vinaigrette or a creamy Caesar dressing, this salad is sure to please everyone at your table. So next time you're looking for a healthy and delicious meal, give Italian mixed salad a try!

Related Topics