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Italian Chopped Salad

A vibrant, protein-packed Italian chopped salad featuring crisp lettuce, savory meats, tangy cheese, and zesty vegetables all tossed in a classic Italian dressing. The perfect combination of textures and flavors in every bite!  
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

  • 6 cups lettuce chopped
  • 1 cup tomato diced
  • 1 cup artichoke hearts coarsely chopped
  • ½ cup olives
  • ¼ cup red onion thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup pepperoncini sliced
  • ½ cup provolone cheese chopped
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella balls halved
  • ½ cup salami chopped
  • ½ cup pepperoni chopped
  • 2 tablespoons basil or parsley chopped
  • ½ cup Italian dressing

Method
 

  1. Prepare the Vegetables and Meats: Begin by ensuring all ingredients are properly prepared. Chop the lettuce into bite-sized pieces, dice the tomatoes, coarsely chop the artichoke hearts, thinly slice the red onion, and slice the pepperoncini. Chop the salami and pepperoni into small, bite-sized pieces to ensure even distribution throughout the salad.
  2. Prepare the Cheeses: Cut the provolone cheese into small cubes or thin strips. If using larger mozzarella balls, halve them to create bite-sized pieces that will blend well with the other ingredients.
  3. Combine All Ingredients: In a large serving bowl, add the chopped lettuce first, creating a base for the salad. Then add the diced tomatoes, chopped artichoke hearts, olives, sliced red onion, sliced pepperoncini, chopped provolone cheese, halved mozzarella balls, chopped salami, chopped pepperoni, and the freshly chopped basil or parsley.
  4. Dress the Salad: Drizzle the Italian dressing over all the ingredients in the bowl. Start with about half of the dressing, then add more to taste if needed. The dressing should lightly coat all ingredients without making the salad soggy.
  5. Toss and Serve: Using two large spoons or salad tongs, gently toss all the ingredients together until everything is well mixed and evenly coated with the dressing. Serve immediately to enjoy the optimal freshness and crispness of the salad.

Notes

  • For the best flavor, let the salad sit for about 10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
  • This salad can be prepared a few hours in advance, but add the dressing just before serving to prevent the lettuce from wilting.
  • For a more authentic Italian flavor, use a mix of romaine and radicchio lettuce.
  • Customize with additional Italian ingredients like roasted red peppers, marinated mushrooms, or giardiniera for extra flavor.
  • To make it a complete meal, add grilled chicken or Italian tuna.