Big Classic Italian Salad

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A big classic Italian salad is one of those timeless dishes that never disappoints. It’s crisp, refreshing, and bursting with the bold, bright flavors Italian cooking is known for. With crunchy lettuce, juicy tomatoes, briny olives, zesty pepperoncini, shaved Parmesan, salami, red onions, and a punchy homemade Italian dressing, this salad feels generous, hearty, and beautifully balanced.

Whether you’re serving it as a standalone lunch, pairing it with pizza or pasta, or bringing it to a potluck, this salad always shines. It’s approachable, customizable, and wonderfully satisfying—exactly what a classic Italian salad should be.

Big Classic Italian Salad

Why This Big Italian Salad Stands Out

  • Loaded with Italian flavors like herbs, olives, pepperoncini, and Parmesan

  • Crunchy, fresh, and colorful—the kind of salad that actually excites people

  • Perfect for gatherings, family dinners, or meal prep

  • Pairs with nearly any Italian-inspired dish

  • Customizable depending on your ingredients or preferences

Equipment You’ll Need

  • Large salad bowl

  • Small mixing bowl or jar (for dressing)

  • Cutting board

  • Sharp knife

  • Salad tongs

  • Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients for Big Classic Italian Salad

For the Salad

  • 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped

  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

  • 1 cucumber, sliced or chopped

  • ½ red onion, thinly sliced

  • 1 cup sliced pepperoncini

  • ½ cup black or kalamata olives, pitted

  • ½ cup shredded or shaved carrots

  • ½ cup diced salami (optional but adds classic flavor)

  • ½ cup mozzarella pearls or cubed provolone

  • ⅓ cup shaved Parmesan cheese

For the Homemade Italian Dressing

  • ½ cup olive oil

  • ¼ cup red wine vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

  • 1 teaspoon dried basil

  • 1 garlic clove, minced

  • ½ teaspoon onion powder

  • ½ teaspoon sugar (optional)

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Timing & Servings

  • Total Time: 20 minutes

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes

  • Cook Time: none

  • Servings: 6–8

How to Make a Big Classic Italian Salad

Step 1. Prep the Vegetables

Wash and thoroughly dry the romaine lettuce—it’s key for crispness. Chop or slice all remaining vegetables uniformly so each bite feels balanced.

Thin slices for onions and cucumbers help keep the salad light and easy to eat.

Step 2. Mix the Homemade Italian Dressing

Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, mustard, garlic, herbs, sugar, salt, and pepper.

Taste and adjust:

  • More vinegar for extra tang

  • More oil for a smoother finish

  • More mustard for bolder flavor

Shake the dressing in a jar for effortless emulsification.

Step 3. Assemble the Salad

In a large bowl, combine:

  • Chopped romaine

  • Tomatoes

  • Cucumbers

  • Red onion

  • Olives

  • Pepperoncini

  • Carrots

  • Salami

  • Mozzarella

Gently toss to combine before adding the dressing.

Step 4. Dress and Serve

Drizzle the dressing evenly over the salad, toss well, then finish with shaved Parmesan.

Serve immediately for the best texture and freshness.

Big Classic Italian Salad

Tips for the Best Italian Salad

  • Dry your greens completely—water prevents dressing from clinging.

  • Slice everything thin, especially onions, for a more enjoyable bite.

  • Add dressing just before serving to keep the salad crisp.

  • Use high-quality olive oil—it makes a remarkable difference.

  • Chill ingredients for a refreshing, restaurant-style salad experience.

Delicious Variations

Antipasto Style

Add artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, prosciutto, and marinated mushrooms.

Vegetarian Italian Salad

Skip the salami and add chickpeas or white beans for protein.

Creamy Italian Version

Mix a spoonful of mayonnaise or yogurt into the dressing for a creamy twist.

Pasta-Infused Italian Salad

Add cooked rotini or bowtie pasta for a hearty Italian pasta salad variation.

Serving Suggestions

This salad pairs beautifully with:

  • Pizza

  • Baked ziti

  • Garlic bread

  • Grilled chicken

  • Lasagna

  • Italian soups like minestrone

It’s also excellent as a crowd-pleasing party dish or a refreshing lunch.

Nutritional Facts (Per Serving)

  • Calories: 230–320

  • Protein: 8–14g

  • Carbohydrates: 8–12g

  • Fat: 18–25g

  • Fiber: 2–4g

  • Sugar: 2–4g

  • Sodium: varies depending on olives and salami

Looking for more refreshing salad options? You might like Soba Noodle Salad, Turkey Caesar Salad, or Curried Chickpea Salad.

Big Classic Italian Salad

This big classic Italian salad combines crunchy lettuce, bold Italian flavors, olives, cheese, and bright dressing for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing side or main dish.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American-Italian, Italian
Calories: 230
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 1 large head romaine lettuce chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cucumber sliced or chopped
  • ½ red onion thinly sliced
  • 1 cup sliced pepperoncini
  • ½ cup black or kalamata olives pitted
  • ½ cup shredded or shaved carrots
  • ½ cup diced salami optional but adds classic flavor
  • ½ cup mozzarella pearls or cubed provolone
  • ⅓ cup shaved Parmesan cheese
For the Homemade Italian Dressing
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon sugar optional
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Large salad bowl
  • Small mixing bowl or jar (for dressing)
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • Salad tongs
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

Prep the Vegetables
  1. Wash and thoroughly dry the romaine lettuce—it’s key for crispness. Chop or slice all remaining vegetables uniformly so each bite feels balanced.
  2. Thin slices for onions and cucumbers help keep the salad light and easy to eat.
Mix the Homemade Italian Dressing
  1. Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, mustard, garlic, herbs, sugar, salt, and pepper.
  2. Taste and adjust:
  3. More vinegar for extra tang
  4. More oil for a smoother finish
  5. More mustard for bolder flavor
  6. Shake the dressing in a jar for effortless emulsification.
Assemble the Salad
  1. In a large bowl, combine:
  2. Chopped romaine
  3. Tomatoes
  4. Cucumbers
  5. Red onion
  6. Olives
  7. Pepperoncini
  8. Carrots
  9. Salami
  10. Mozzarella
  11. Gently toss to combine before adding the dressing.
Dress and Serve
  1. Drizzle the dressing evenly over the salad, toss well, then finish with shaved Parmesan.
  2. Serve immediately for the best texture and freshness.

Conclusion

A big classic Italian salad brings crisp vegetables, bold Italian flavors, and irresistible textures together in one vibrant bowl. With its bright vinegar-based dressing, crunchy greens, olives, pepperoncini, and creamy cheese, it offers the perfect balance of freshness and richness. It’s simple, versatile, and endlessly customizable—ideal for weeknight dinners, entertaining, or pairing with your favorite Italian recipes.

This salad proves that sometimes the simplest ingredients create the most memorable bites.

Recipe FAQs

1. Can I make this Italian salad ahead of time?

Partially. Prep the ingredients and dressing separately, then toss just before serving.

2. What lettuce works best?

Romaine is classic, but iceberg adds extra crunch. A mix works wonderfully too.

3. Can I skip the meat?

Absolutely. Add chickpeas, artichokes, or extra cheese for a vegetarian version.

4. How long does homemade dressing last?

Up to 1 week in the refrigerator.

5. What cheese works best?

Parmesan for sharpness, mozzarella for creaminess, or provolone for richness.

6. Can I make this gluten-free?

Yes—everything here is naturally gluten-free.

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