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Italian Chopped Salad

Italian chopped salad LOADED with salami, mozzarella and veggies all tossed in a tangy balsamic dijon vinaigrette.

Eating a big salad for lunch is always a goal of mine. I try to do it at least once or twice a week. It doesn’t always work out as planned but when it does, I always feel so much better! Eating a big salad is such a great way to get all of your veggies into one meal.

Italian chopped salad LOADED with salami, mozzarella and veggies all tossed in a tangy balsamic dijon vinaigrette.

One of the ways I can keep on track is by changing up things when it comes to salads. Sure a traditional green salad is good and all but day after day it can get kind of boring.

Mixing it up with different greens, different veggies and different proteins really helps keep things fresh. Some of my favorites are crispy chickpea and arugula salad, tarragon shrimp salad, a loaded greek salad and this Italian Chopped Salad.

What is an Italian Chopped Salad?

A chopped salad is exactly what it sounds like. Each ingredient is chopped to a uniform size.

This Italian Chopped Salad is full of flavor. It’s chock-full of all kinds of goodies. Lettuce, chickpeas, red onion, tomatoes, mozzarella, red pepper and salami.

So many good things it’s impossible to resist. And the great thing about this salad is it is open to many variations. If you don’t like one of the ingredients leave it out. If you want to add another ingredient, go ahead!

Italian chopped salad LOADED with salami, mozzarella and veggies all tossed in a tangy balsamic dijon vinaigrette.

How to make an Italian Chopped Salad:

To make an Italian Chopped Salad, start by layering the greens in the bowl. Next, you will want to add in each of the chopped ingredients and toss them together.

Next, pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat everything completely.

If you like, you can assemble the salad ahead of time. However, it is best to dress the salad right before serving. That prevents the lettuce from getting to soggy.

If you want to enjoy a single serving, it’s best to toss the salad together, dish up the amount you want and dress that.

What is in Italian Dressing?

And every good big salad, needs to have a great dressing right? And there are any number of Italian dressings that you can find in the condiment aisle at the grocery store. But making your own dressing is incredibly easy.

Most Italian dressing has oil, vinegar and seasonings. The dressing on this Italian salad is no different. It’s a simple Dijon Balsamic Vinaigrette and oh goodness is it good. And it only needs 5 ingredients that you probably already have on hand.

Italian chopped salad LOADED with salami, mozzarella and veggies all tossed in a tangy balsamic dijon vinaigrette.

I am not kidding when I say that this salad is loaded with flavor, I could probably eat the whole bowl by myself but it would also be the perfect salad for those warm summer nights outside.

Of course you could then wash the whole thing down with a glass of pinot gris or rosé.

Italian chopped salad LOADED with salami, mozzarella and veggies all tossed in a tangy balsamic dijon vinaigrette.

Now, who’s ready for lunch?

If you’re still not sure, this video will make you hungry for sure!

 Note: This recipe originally posted in 2014. 


Italian chopped salad LOADED with salami, mozzarella and veggies all tossed in a tangy balsamic dijon vinaigrette.

Italian Chopped Salad

Italian chopped salad LOADED with salami, mozzarella and veggies all tossed in a tangy balsamic dijon vinaigrette. It's perfect for lunch!
5 from 5 votes
Prep Time 30 mins
Total Time 30 mins
Course Side Dishes
Cuisine American
Servings 2 Servings
Calories 312 kcal

Ingredients
  

Salad Ingredients:

  • 5 cups spring salad mix
  • 1/4 cup diced tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup chopped red onion
  • 1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
  • 1/4 cup chopped salami
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh mozzarella
  • 1/2 cup chickpeas Garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed

Dressing Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons country style dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Prep the salad dressing 30 minutes ahead by simply whisking all ingredients together and allowing to set at room temperature.
  • Combine all salad ingredients together in a bowl. Toss with salad dressing and serve.

Notes

Nutrition facts not guaranteed.

Nutrition

Calories: 312kcalCarbohydrates: 22.6gProtein: 10.9gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 5.1gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 574mgFiber: 6gSugar: 6.6g
Tried this recipe?Mention @lifesambrosia or tag #lifesambrosia!
Keywords: dressing, entree salad, salad

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




  • Reply
    Taylor W.
    January 16, 2019 at 8:13 am

    Love all the fresh veggies! This looks so flavorful and delicious!

  • Reply
    Chrissie Baker
    January 16, 2019 at 3:37 am

    5 stars
    My son wanted a pizza party for his birthday and I made this salad to go on the side for the adults. So so good. Many compliments, many recipe requests, salad bowl was licked clean.

  • Reply
    Melanie Bauer
    January 15, 2019 at 11:31 pm

    5 stars
    Looks so delish and fabulous! I love those chunks of veggies, need to put this on my menu!

  • Reply
    Patricia @ Grab a Plate
    January 15, 2019 at 8:48 pm

    5 stars
    What a lovely salad, and I love the simple, flavorful vinaigrette!

  • Reply
    Cathy
    January 15, 2019 at 7:26 pm

    Totally my kind of salad! Love everything about this!

  • Reply
    Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious
    January 15, 2019 at 6:07 pm

    I can NOT wait to try the Dijon Balsamic Vinaigrette! Look at all of those gorgeous veggies! Looks delish!

  • Reply
    Brandy O'Neill
    January 15, 2019 at 3:28 pm

    Sounds delicious! A great meal for lunch!

  • Reply
    Carolyn
    January 26, 2018 at 6:13 pm

    This salad is so pretty! I can’t wait to try making it!

  • Reply
    Rebecca | Let's Eat Cake
    January 25, 2018 at 10:13 pm

    Yum! This looks like a hearty, delicious salad! No sad lunch here!

  • Reply
    Betsy @ Desserts Required
    January 24, 2018 at 7:05 pm

    This salad is divine. It’s like all of my favorite things in one dish!

  • Reply
    Megan @ MegUnprocessed
    January 24, 2018 at 5:16 pm

    I LOVE a chopped salad! That vinaigrette sounds amazing!

  • Reply
    Lauren @ Hall Nesting
    January 24, 2018 at 4:39 pm

    I like the salami in this!

  • Reply
    Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet
    January 24, 2018 at 9:37 am

    This salad sounds perfect for lunch today!

  • Reply
    Lindsay @ The Live-In Kitchen
    January 23, 2018 at 11:38 am

    Simple yet delicious!

  • Reply
    Jacque Hastert
    January 23, 2018 at 11:05 am

    5 stars
    I am loving everything about this salad. All those flavors… YES!

  • Reply
    Karlynn
    January 23, 2018 at 10:26 am

    5 stars
    This salad will help me stay on track this month. I will be saving this for next week.

  • Reply
    Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet
    January 22, 2018 at 11:47 pm

    That sounds like my kind of salad, yum!

  • Reply
    Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious
    January 22, 2018 at 5:36 pm

    If I had this salad for lunch everyday I would be the happiest girl around! So fresh and delicious! Great dressing too!

  • Reply
    Jen
    January 22, 2018 at 3:52 pm

    I love the goal of having a salad a week! This looks like the perfect salad to start with!

  • Reply
    Janelle Dangerfield Shank
    November 5, 2014 at 7:14 am

    I love this salad, looks great.

  • Reply
    kalynskitchen
    November 5, 2014 at 5:55 am

    My kind of food!

  • Reply
    CrunchyCreamySw
    November 5, 2014 at 5:43 am

    Beautiful salad! Love it!

  • Reply
    Lynn at Order in the Kitchen
    November 5, 2014 at 5:31 am

    This salad looks so fresh and delicious! Love all the colors! That is SO cute about Halloween, what a sweetheart. Happy birthday to him!

  • Reply
    Aggie
    November 5, 2014 at 3:06 am

    Happy birthday to your little man! Birthdays are the best … But can be exhausting too :) so much to celebrate!
    This is my kind of salad. Glass if wine and all!

  • Des

    Hey! I'm Des!

    Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.

    Read more »

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