Best Easy Italian Green Salad
User Reviews
5
Best Easy Italian Green Salad
Description
The salad uses mixed greens as its base, enhanced by the salty, robust flavor of mini or quartered pepperoni. Cubed mozzarella and grated Parmesan add creamy and nutty cheese notes. Garlic-flavored croutons provide textural contrast with a crunchy bite. Fresh cucumber pieces bring a mild, refreshing moisture, while salted sunflower seeds contribute a slightly nutty crunch.
Its dressing is a blend of extra virgin olive oil, red or white wine vinegar, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, Dijon mustard, and sugar for mild sweetness, balanced with salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Mixing the dressing separately ensures full flavor before tossing with the salad components.
Serving this salad immediately after dressing keeps the croutons crisp and the greens fresh. It works well as a starter or lighter accompaniment to Italian-inspired meals. Adding diced or shredded chicken can easily transform it into a protein-rich main dish.
Ingredients
- 6 cups lettuce
- ⅓ cup mini pepperonis OR regular pepperonis, quartered
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese cubed, or cheese sticks chopped
- ½-1 cup crouton garlic flavored
- 1 cucumber peeled and chopped
- 3 tablespoons sunflower seeds salted
- 3 tablespoons Parmesan Cheese grated
italian dressing
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar or white wine vinegar
- ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese grated
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning dried
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper or to taste, cracked
- red pepper flakes pinch
Instructions
- Combine all dressing ingredients in a jar, cover and shake until blended. Set aside until ready to use.
- In a large bowl toss together lettuce, pepperoni, mozzarella, parmesan, cucumbers, and sunflower seeds.
- Just before serving, give the dressing a good shake, then pour over salad and toss. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Add diced or shredded chicken to the salad to turn it into a filling main course.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 467 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 467kcal | 23% |
| Carbohydrates | 13g | 4% |
| Protein | 13g | 26% |
| Fat | 42g | 65% |
| Saturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 30mg | 10% |
| Sodium | 1111mg | 46% |
| Potassium | 364mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 801IU | 16% |
| Vitamin C | 6mg | 7% |
| Calcium | 245mg | 25% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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