Best 9 Italian Spinach Salad Recipes

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In the realm of delectable salads, the Italian Spinach Salad stands out as a symphony of flavors and textures. This vibrant dish bursts with the freshness of baby spinach, the tang of red wine vinegar, the sweetness of dried cranberries, the crunch of toasted pine nuts, and the savory bite of crumbled feta cheese. A drizzle of olive oil adds a touch of richness, while a sprinkling of freshly ground black pepper brings a touch of warmth. This versatile salad can be served as a light lunch, a refreshing side dish, or a delightful appetizer. It's perfect for any occasion, from casual gatherings to elegant dinner parties. In this article, we present two variations of this classic salad: a traditional Italian Spinach Salad and a Spinach and Strawberry Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing. Both recipes offer a unique and flavorful twist on this beloved dish, ensuring that every bite is an explosion of taste.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

EASY ITALIAN SPINACH SALAD



Easy Italian Spinach Salad image

A simple homemade dressing makes this salad a flavorful option for any meal, but it's ideal with lasagna, spaghetti, manicotti and more. -Cathy Desper, Staunton, Virginia

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch     Side Dishes

Time 15m

Yield 10 servings (2/3 cup vinaigrette).

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
2 packages (6 ounces each) fresh baby spinach
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
4 green onions, sliced
1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup salad croutons

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, whisk the oil, vinegar, garlic and Italian seasoning; set aside., Divide spinach among 10 salad plates; top with tomatoes and onions. Drizzle with vinaigrette; sprinkle with cheese and croutons.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 104 calories, Fat 9g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 3mg cholesterol, Sodium 75mg sodium, Carbohydrate 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

ITALIAN SPINACH AND MUSHROOM SALAD



Italian Spinach and Mushroom Salad image

Wishing for a dinner salad that pleases everyone? Here it is!

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 10m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 package (10 oz) fresh spinach leaves, rinsed and patted dry
1 package (8 oz) sliced mushrooms
1 can (19 oz) Progresso™ chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained, rinsed
1/3 cup Betty Crocker™ Bac~Os® bacon flavor bits or chips
1/2 cup seasoned croutons
1/2 cup Italian dressing

Steps:

  • In large salad bowl, toss all ingredients except dressing. Just before serving, drizzle with dressing and toss gently.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 350, Carbohydrate 41 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fat 2 1/2, Fiber 11 g, Protein 16 g, SaturatedFat 1 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 770 mg, Sugar 8 g, TransFat 0 g

SIMPLE ITALIAN SPINACH SALAD



Simple Italian Spinach Salad image

"While the fish is marinating, I toss together a big bowl of Italian Spinach Salad," Judy relates. "Prepared Italian dressing makes this twist on traditional wilted spinach salad simple ti fix. I usually have a hard-cooked egg ready in the refrigerator, and the dressing just takes seconds to heat."

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Side Dishes

Time 10m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 package (6 ounces) fresh baby spinach
1 green onion, thinly sliced
1 hard-boiled large egg, chopped
3 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
3 tablespoons Italian salad dressing
2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • In a large salad bowl, toss spinach, onion, egg and bacon. In a microwave-safe bowl, heat salad dressing on high for 30-45 seconds or until warm. Pour over the salad and toss to coat. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 108 calories, Fat 9g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 59mg cholesterol, Sodium 357mg sodium, Carbohydrate 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 5g protein.

ITALIAN SPINACH SALAD - TOH



Italian Spinach Salad - Toh image

From TOH Simple and Delicious Mar/April edition 2008. I'm saving this for a spring salad choice when baby spinach is in season locally. It looks very simple to put together. I'm really drawn to it by the warm dressing you use over the salads. Makes 8 salad plates/servings - so adjust as necessary. I've already made a few adjustments based on my personal preferences (cooked bacon over bacon bits, vidalia onion over red, and added the red peppers).

Provided by HokiesMom

Categories     Spinach

Time 30m

Yield 8 salads, 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

4 cups fresh Baby Spinach
2 medium tomatoes, quartered
8 large fresh mushrooms, sliced
2 hard-cooked eggs, quartered
1/2 cup cooked bacon, finely chopped (they said Bacon bits but I like only fresh)
1 small vidalia onion, sliced and separated into rings
1 medium red pepper, sliced thinly
3 tablespoons fresh dill, snipped (optional)
1 1/2 cups Italian salad dressing
1 teaspoon sugar
1/3 cup seasoned croutons

Steps:

  • On eight salad plates, arrange the spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, eggs, bacon, onion, red pepper and dill (if desired).
  • In a small saucepan, cook the salad dressing and sugar over low heat until sugar is dissolved.
  • Drizzle over the prepared salad plates and then sprinkle the salads with croutons.
  • Serve immediately!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 175.8, Fat 14.4, SaturatedFat 2.5, Cholesterol 53.1, Sodium 779.8, Carbohydrate 9.8, Fiber 1.3, Sugar 6.3, Protein 3.5

CHICO INN SPINACH SALAD WITH CREAMY ITALIAN DRESSING



Chico Inn Spinach Salad With Creamy Italian Dressing image

This recipe comes from the R.S.V.P. section in a November 1988 issue of Bon Appetit. It was requested from the Chico Hot Springs Lodge and Ranch in Pray, Montana. The dressing is what makes this salad especially good!

Provided by Leslie in Texas

Categories     Salad Dressings

Time 23m

Yield 2-4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

4 slices bacon
1 cup mayonnaise
3/4 teaspoon Italian herb seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons half-and-half
1 1/2 lbs fresh spinach, stemmed and torn into bite-sized pieces
2 slices onions, separated into rings (1/8-inch-thick)
1 hard-cooked egg, sieved

Steps:

  • Cook bacon in medium skillet until crisp; transfer to paper towels, drain and crumble.
  • Blend mayonnaise, Italian seasoning,garlic and sugar in blender.
  • With machine running, gradually add oil alternately with vinegar in slow steady stream.
  • Gradually add half and half.
  • Toss spinach and onion in large bowl with enough dressing, to taste.
  • Divide between plates, sprinkle with bacon and egg and serve.

ITALIAN SPINACH SALAD



Italian Spinach Salad image

Here's a quick, colorful veggie salad as refreshing as springtime itself. It's also pretty as a picture and a great way to use up all those extra hard-cooked Easter eggs! -Gloria Warczak, Cedarburg, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 25m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

4 cups fresh baby spinach
2 medium tomatoes, quartered
8 large fresh mushrooms, sliced
2 hard-boiled large eggs, quartered
1/2 cup real bacon bits
1 small red onion, sliced and separated into rings
3 tablespoons snipped fresh dill
1-1/2 cups Italian salad dressing
1 teaspoon sugar
1/3 cup seasoned croutons

Steps:

  • On eight salad plates, arrange the spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, eggs, bacon, onion and dill. , In a small saucepan, cook salad dressing and sugar over low heat until sugar is dissolved. Drizzle over salads; sprinkle with croutons.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 237 calories, Fat 20g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 58mg cholesterol, Sodium 1034mg sodium, Carbohydrate 9g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 6g protein.

SPINACH SALAD WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE



Spinach Salad With Italian Sausage image

Here's another Italian sausage dish. With a little of this and a lot of that, the recipe becomes your own. I hope you will enjoy this, and make it your own. You can double or triple this. Source: Bon Appetit' magazine.

Provided by FLUFFSTER

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 37m

Yield 2 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

4 cups fresh spinach, packed, stemmed, torn into bite-size pieces (about 3/4 of a bag)
1 teaspoon olive oil
4 hot Italian sausages (can use sweet(mild)
3 green onions, sliced
3 tablespoons sherry wine vinegar or 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
salt & freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Place the spinach in a large bowl. Heat 1 teaspoons of the olive oil in heavy, large skillet over medium heat. Add sausages and cooked until browned and cooked through.
  • Transfer sausages to paper towels, using slotted spoon. Drain sausages and then slice 1/2 inch thick.
  • Heat drippings in skillet over medium heat. Add green onions and stir one minute. Add vinegar and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits. Mix in 1 tablespoons oil and mustard. Add sausage and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Pour over spinach and toss.
  • Adjust seasoning.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 884.2, Fat 80.2, SaturatedFat 26.8, Cholesterol 171.8, Sodium 1731.2, Carbohydrate 5.5, Fiber 2, Sugar 0.8, Protein 34.4

ITALIAN PARMESAN CHICKEN WITH TUSCAN SPINACH SALAD



ITALIAN PARMESAN CHICKEN WITH TUSCAN SPINACH SALAD image

Categories     Chicken

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

6 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves(1-1/2 lb.)
1 pkg. (6 oz.) FRESH TAKE Italian Parmesan Recipe Cheese Breadcrumb Mix, mixed together
1/4 cup KRAFT Zesty Italian Dressing
1 red pepper, cut into thin strips
1 pkg. (6 oz.) baby spinach leaves
1 can (15 oz.) cannellini beans, rinsed

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 375ºF. Coat chicken with cheese mixture and bake as directed on package. Heat dressing in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add peppers; cook and stir 3 to 4 min. or until crisp-tender. Add spinach and beans; cook 3 min. or just until spinach is wilted, stirring constantly. Serve chicken over the spinach salad.

ITALIAN SPINACH AND MUSHROOM SALAD



Italian Spinach and Mushroom Salad image

Wishing for a dinner salad that pleases everyone? Here it is!

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 10m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 package (10 oz) fresh spinach leaves, rinsed and patted dry
1 package (8 oz) sliced mushrooms
1 can (19 oz) Progresso™ chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained, rinsed
1/3 cup Betty Crocker™ Bac~Os® bacon flavor bits or chips
1/2 cup seasoned croutons
1/2 cup Italian dressing

Steps:

  • In large salad bowl, toss all ingredients except dressing. Just before serving, drizzle with dressing and toss gently.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 350, Carbohydrate 41 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fat 2 1/2, Fiber 11 g, Protein 16 g, SaturatedFat 1 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 770 mg, Sugar 8 g, TransFat 0 g

Tips:

  • To save time, use pre-washed spinach and pre-sliced mushrooms.
  • If you don't have pine nuts, you can substitute sliced almonds or walnuts.
  • For a more flavorful salad, use a combination of red and yellow bell peppers.
  • To make the salad ahead of time, prepare the dressing and store it in a jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to serve, toss the salad with the dressing.
  • Serve the salad immediately or chill it for up to 30 minutes before serving.

Conclusion:

This Italian Spinach Salad is a delicious and healthy side dish or main course. It's packed with fresh vegetables, flavorful dressing, and crunchy pine nuts. The salad is easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time, making it a great option for busy weeknights.

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