There’s something deeply satisfying about a good chopped salad. Crisp romaine lettuce lays the fresh, crunchy foundation, while sweet roasted red bell peppers and grassy green bell peppers bring both color and contrast. Juicy cherry tomatoes pop against shavings of salty Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and creamy mozzarella. Crispy baked prosciutto adds a delicate crunch, while two types of salami bring depth and a subtle spice that balances the fresh vegetables perfectly.
Everything is finely chopped and the flavors mingle beautifully, with the help of a creamy dressing. What could be a simple salad turns into something layered and crave-worthy.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you.
Key Ingredients in This Recipe
You’ll find the complete list of ingredients and exact quantities in the recipe below.
FOR THE SALAD
- Romaine lettuce
- Prosciutto
- Calabrese Salami
- Salami Toscane
- Mozzarella cheese
- Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
- Roasted red bell pepper
- Green bell pepper
- Cherry tomatoes
FOR THE CREAMY DRESSING
- Mayonnaise
- Red wine vinegar
- Mustard
- Lemon juice
- Oregano
- Garlic powder
This short video shows how quickly and easily this recipe comes together, so you know what to expect before you start.
How to Make an Italian Chopped Salad
- Step 1 – Clean and cut all the ingredients for the salad. I believe the biggest satisfaction of a good chopped salad is that the ingredients are chopped relatively small and in about the same size. Consequently, you’ll get a little bit of everything in each bite, so it’s extra-flavorful. You always have the liberty to cut some ingredients slightly differently. Like I did with the salami; I cut them in strips.
Step 2 – Heat a skillet to medium high and add the pieces of Prosciutto. Stir every now and then, so the ham does not stick to the bottom. You want the Prosciutto to become very crispy (not burned).
When it’s done, drain it on a paper towel.
Step 3 – While the Prosciutto cooks, make the dressing. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and whisk until creamy and smooth. Season to taste with pepper and salt.
Step 4 – Place the romaine lettuce in the bottom of a large bowl and add all the other chopped ingredients on top.
Step 5 – Pour the dressing over the salad and mix. The creamy dressing will cling to every chopped edge and nook, coating the greens and wrapping around the meats and cheeses so nothing feels separate.
- Divide over 2 plates and enjoy !
Italian Chopped Salad
Pin Recipe FacebookIngredients
For the Salad
- 3.5 ounces Romaine lettuce
- 2 ounces roasted red pepper
- 2 ounces green bell pepper
- 3 ounces cherry tomatoes
- 2 ounces Prosciutto
- 1 ounce Calabrese Salami
- 1 ounce Salami Toscane
- 2.5 ounces Mozzarelle cheese
- 1 ounces Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
For the Creamy Dressing
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- salt
Instructions
- Clean and cut all the ingredients for the salad. (NOTE 1) Cut all ingredients roughly the same size.
- Heat a skillet to medium high and add the pieces of Prosciutto. Stir every now and then, so the ham does not stick to the bottom. You want the Prosciutto to become very crispy (not burned). When it’s done, drain it on a paper towel.
- While the Prosciutto is cooking, make the dressing. Combine all the ingredients for the dressing in a bowl and whisk until creamy and smooth. Season to taste with salt.
- Place the romaine lettuce in the bottom of a large bowl and add all the other chopped ingredients on top.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and mix. The creamy dressing will cling to every chopped edge and nook, coating the greens and wrapping around the meats and cheeses so nothing feels separate. (NOTE 2)
- Divide over 2 bowls or plates and enjoy !
Notes
- I believe the biggest satisfaction of a good chopped salad is that the ingredients are chopped relatively small and in about the same size. Consequently, you’ll get a little bit of everything in each bite, so it’s extra-flavorful. If you want to emphasize one specific ingredient, you can cut that one slightly differently.
- Don’t mix longer than necessary, you want all the pieces to be coated but still in tact.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.