Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salads
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 45mg