Best 6 Simple Italian Tossed Salad Recipes

**Indulge in the Simplicity and Freshness of a Traditional Italian Tossed Salad: A Symphony of Flavors**

Originating from the heart of Italy, the Italian Tossed Salad is a culinary masterpiece known for its vibrant colors, crisp textures, and harmonious blend of flavors. This classic recipe exemplifies the essence of Italian cuisine, showcasing the beauty of fresh, seasonal ingredients and the art of simple preparation.

Bursting with an array of textures and flavors, this salad features crisp romaine lettuce, peppery arugula, and tender baby spinach as its base. The addition of juicy cherry tomatoes, sweet bell peppers, and crisp cucumbers adds a delightful crunch and refreshing sweetness. The salad is further enriched with the inclusion of salty Kalamata olives, tangy red onion, and nutty Parmesan cheese, creating a symphony of flavors that dance on the palate.

Accompanying the salad are two delectable dressing recipes: a classic vinaigrette and a creamy Caesar dressing. The vinaigrette, a staple in Italian cuisine, combines olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, and herbs, resulting in a light and tangy dressing that enhances the flavors of the salad without overpowering them. The creamy Caesar dressing, on the other hand, offers a rich and decadent alternative, featuring mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, garlic, and anchovies, creating a luscious coating that clings to each ingredient.

Optional add-ins such as grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon transform this salad into a hearty and protein-packed meal, while the addition of croutons adds a satisfying crunch. With its versatility and endless variations, the Italian Tossed Salad is a culinary canvas that invites experimentation and creativity, making it a perfect dish for any occasion.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

EASY TOSSED BIG ITALIAN SALAD RECIPE

Easy Tossed Big Italian Salad Recipe image

This big tossed Italian salad recipe is like your favorite sub sandwich in salad form. See how to make easy Italian green salad in just 15 minutes.

Provided by Maya

Categories Salad

Time 15m

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

6 cups Romaine lettuce ((shredded))
2 medium Roma tomatoes ((diced))
1 cup Mixed Italian olives ((pitted))
1/4 medium Red onion ((sliced))
1/4 cup Pickled banana peppers ((sliced))
6 ounces Italian meats ((diced; I used pepperoni and salami))
1/2 cup Olive oil
1 tablespoon Red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 pinch Sea salt
Black pepper

Steps:

Whisk the ingredients for the dressing together and set aside.
Toss all of the salad ingredients together and toss with dressing. Easy as that!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 289 kcal, Carbohydrate 7 g, Protein 11 g, Fat 24 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, Cholesterol 44 mg, Sodium 1288 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 3 g, ServingSize 1 serving

TOSSED ITALIAN GARDEN SALAD

Tossed Italian Garden Salad image

A fresh garden salad with homemade Italian-style dressing is the perfect accompaniment to my special lasagna. Nicely seasoned with garlic, herbs and a hint of lemon, the dressing is our family's favorite. As soon as the jar is empty, I make more. -Evelyn Gebhardt, Kasilof, Alaska

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch Side Dishes

Time 10m

Yield 10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

6 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons vinegar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon onion salt
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon paprika
Dash dried thyme
8 cups torn salad greens
Sliced cucumbers, quartered cherry tomatoes and shredded carrot

Steps:

in a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the first 11 ingredients; shake well. Refrigerate for 2 hours. Just before serving, combine the greens, cucumbers, tomatoes and carrots in a salad bowl. Drizzle with dressing; toss to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 82 calories, Fat 8g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 175mg sodium, Carbohydrate 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 1g protein.

QUICK ITALIAN SALAD

Quick Italian Salad image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Categories side-dish

Time 20m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup grated Parmesan (pre-grated in a pack from the store)
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon vinegar
2 teaspoons black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 clove garlic, pressed
Juice of 1 lemon
1 head romaine lettuce, roughly chopped
1/2 head iceberg lettuce, chunked
6 whole pepperoncini
1/2 cup whole black olives
1/2 cup whole red cherry tomatoes
1/2 small red onion, very thinly sliced into circles
1/3 cup grated Parmesan

Steps:

For the dressing: In a blender, add the olive oil, mayonnaise, Parmesan, parsley, sugar, vinegar, black pepper, salt, red pepper flakes, garlic and lemon juice and blend until pureed.
For the salad: Put the romaine and iceberg greens in a large bowl and toss with the dressing. Top the salad with the pepperoncini, olives, tomatoes and onions. Sprinkle with Parmesan at the end.

ITALIAN TOSSED SALAD

Italian Tossed Salad image

From Bellville, Ohio, Gayle Parker sent a snappy recipe for Italian Tossed Salad that pressed-for-time cooks can squeeze into any menu. Simple and colorful, it complements a casual lunch or a fancy holiday dinner, she writes. It's a little different from plain old iceberg lettuce and tomatoes. Canned kidney beans add protein and texture, and the pepperoni and other fixings give it a fresh zesty taste. I belong to a camping club that meets monthly, says Gayle. This salad is easy to prepare in our compact motor home kitchen, so I often take it to our potluck suppers.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 10m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

1 package (12 ounces) ready-to-serve salad greens
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup canned kidney beans, drained
1 cup diced pepperoni
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 medium tomatoes, diced
1/4 to 1/2 cup Italian salad dressing

Steps:

In a salad bowl, combine the salad greens, cheese, beans, pepperoni, onion and diced tomatoes. Drizzle with dressing; toss to coat.

Nutrition Facts :

EVERYDAY ITALIAN TOSSED SALAD RECIPE - (4.6/5)

Everyday Italian Tossed Salad Recipe - (4.6/5) image

Provided by sschwartz

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

SALAD:
8 cups torn or roughly chopped romaine lettuce (or a standard 10-oz bag of lettuce greens)
1/2 cup quartered artichoke hearts (half of 14 oz. can), drained
1/4 cup diced pimentos or roasted red peppers, drained
1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup Everyday Vinaigrette (recipe below)
EVERYDAY VINAIGRETTE:
1/3 cup red wine vinegar (substitute white wine vinegar, if preferred)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup canola oil
1/2 cup pine nuts, optional
1/4 cup black olives, optional

Steps:

Make the salad: Toss ingredients together and serve. If you'd like add some toasted pine nuts or black olives. Make the vinaigrette: Add vinegar, salt, pepper and garlic powder to bowl or 2-cup measure cup; whisk together. Continue whisking rapidly while adding olive and canola oils in a thin stream. Use 1/4 cup dressing for 8 cups torn or chopped greens, or a standard 10 oz. bag of greens. Taste and add more dressing, if desired.

TOP BRASS TOSSED SALAD WITH ITALIAN DRESSING

Top Brass Tossed Salad with Italian Dressing image

Provided by Robert Irvine : Food Network

Categories appetizer

Time 15m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 garlic cloves, lightly crushed and quartered
1 teaspoon fresh oregano leaves (from 3 or 4 small sprigs or 1 or 2 large sprigs)
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (from 3 or 4 small sprigs or 1 or 2 large sprigs)
1 teaspoon fresh parsley leaves (from 3 or 4 small sprigs or 1 or 2 large sprigs)
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
6 cups mixed greens (organic mesclun mixture such as mache, arugula, chicory) soaked and dried in a salad spinner
2 large tomatoes, cut into wedges
2 English cucumbers, peeled and sliced
2 large carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds

Steps:

Through the feed opening of a running blender add, 1 at a time, the vinegar, garlic, oregano, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper. Then, leaving the blender running, gradually add the olive oil in a thin stream. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.
Gently toss together the greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots with enough of the dressing to coat. Serve family style with the remaining salad dressing on the side.

Tips:

Use the best quality ingredients you can find. Fresh, ripe vegetables will make a big difference in the taste of your salad.
Wash your vegetables thoroughly before using them. This will help to remove any dirt or bacteria.
Dry your vegetables well before adding them to the salad. This will help to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
Use a variety of colors and textures in your salad. This will make it more visually appealing and interesting to eat.
Don't overdress your salad. A little bit of dressing goes a long way.
Serve your salad immediately after making it. This will help to ensure that the vegetables are fresh and crisp.

Conclusion:

A simple Italian tossed salad is a healthy and delicious side dish or main course. It is easy to make and can be customized to your own liking. With a few fresh ingredients and a simple dressing, you can create a salad that is both flavorful and nutritious. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give this simple Italian tossed salad a try.