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You are here: Home / Recipes / Italian

Big ‘ol Italian Salad

By Susie Weinrich ยท Date Feb 10, 2023ยท Leave a Comment ยท May contain affiliate links.

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This is such a fresh and delicious โ€œrecipeโ€ for a Big Italian Salad. It makes a great entrรฉe when you are craving a veggie heavy dinner. Or when you are having a nice Italian dinner or Pasta entrรฉe it makes a killer side dish.

Bonus- Iโ€™m including all my favorite salad tips so the yummy bits donโ€™t end up at the bottom of the salad bowl. Read onโ€ฆ.

Italian Salad on a platter with basil vinaigrette

When serving this Italian Salad as an entrรฉe you can add some protein, we recommend this buttermilk grilled chicken or this Marinated Grilled Chicken.

Table of Contents hide
1 Ingredients
2 Italian Dressing
3 Salad as a Side Dish
4 Salad Tips
5 Did you make this recipe?
6 Big โ€˜ol Italian Salad

Ingredients

Pictured are the veggies that you need to make your Big Italian Salad. Of course if you like different veggies or have some in your fridge that need to be used up, sub in whatever you like!!

ingredients on a table to make Italian Salad

Italian Dressing

This Homemade Basil Vinaigrette makes the perfect dressing for this salad. But if you have another favorite Italian dressing or store bought dressing you can absolutely sub that in. You will need about 1 cup of dressing plus some extra for serving on the side.

Salad as a Side Dish

This salad makes a great side dish to any Italian Dinner. Here are some main dish ideas for serving this salad:

  • Spaghetti and Meatballs
  • Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce
  • Beef Ragu
  • Sausage Stuffed Shells
  • Lasagna
a platter full of Italian salad with two glasses of wine in the background

Salad Tips

My number one tip when making just about any salad is to serve it on a platter instead of in a large bowl. When you mix a salad in a bowl all the yummy bits tend to fall to the bottom of the bowl. Then the first person served gets a big plate of lettuce and none of the good stuff!

Toss the lettuce with the vinaigrette, then separately toss the veggies. This ensures that everything gets a little bit of the salad dressing.

romaine on a platter that has been dressed with basil vinaigrette
Italian Veggies in a bowl with basil vinaigrette

Donโ€™t over dress the salad. Just coat everything with dressing and then serve extra on the side if needed.

Wait until serving time to toss the salad with the dressing. This is not the time to make-ahead.


Susie leaning on the kitchen counter

๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’›

Did you make this recipe?

I would love to hear your review, especially if you have tips and tricks to add! Pop down to the comment section and connect with me

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Italian Salad recipe on a platter with serving spoons

Big โ€˜ol Italian Salad

A Big Italian Salad that is more veggie than salad. Full of tomatoes, cucumbers, fennel, olives and artichoke hearts, dressed with a homemade Basil Vinaigrette.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 people (dinner), 6 people (side)
Author: Susie Weinrich

Ingredients

  • 1 head of romaine or green leaf lettuce - washed and chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes - halved
  • 1 cup pitted black olives - (or favorite pitted Italian Olives, Castelvetrano olives would be delicious too!!)
  • 1 small raw fennel bulb - core removed and discarded, halved and sliced thin
  • 14 oz can quartered artichoke hearts in brine - drained
  • ยฝ English cucumber - sliced
  • ยฝ red onion - sliced thin and rinsed under cool water*
  • a lot of shaved parmesan cheese
  • Seasoned Croutons - store bought or homemade

Dressing

  • Double recipe of - Basil Vinaigrette

Instructions
 

  • Salad Tip! I know we are all used to serving salad in a bowl. BUT try serving this salad on a large platter. That way all the yummy veggies, croutons and cheese don't end up at the bottom of the bowl.
    Also dress the lettuce and the veggies separate, that way everything gets seasoned.
  • Make a double batch of Basil Vinaigrette
  • In a large bowl toss the romaine with about ยผ cup of the Basil Vinaigrette.
    Then lay on a large serving platter.
    1 head of romaine or green leaf lettuce
    romaine on a platter that has been dressed with basil vinaigrette
  • Add all the veggies to the now empty bowl and toss with about โ…“ cup of dressing.
    Reserve the remaining dressing and serve on the side.
    1 cup cherry tomatoes, 1 cup pitted black olives, 1 small raw fennel bulb, 14 oz can quartered artichoke hearts in brine, ยฝ English cucumber, ยฝ red onion
    Italian Veggies in a bowl with basil vinaigrette
  • Pour the veggies over the salad on the platter.
  • Add the croutons and lots of shaved parmesan.
    a lot of shaved parmesan cheese, Seasoned Croutons
  • Serve right away!

Recipe Tips and Notes:

Red Onion- sometimes onion can be a really strong flavor that can overpower a dish. By rinsing the sliced red onion you will make their flavor just a bit milder.
Adding Protein: This Buttermilk Grilled Chicken or Marinated Grilled Chicken would be a great addition to this salad!
Did you make this recipe?Connect with me and let me know by commenting below!
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About Susie Weinrich

Susie Weinrich is the recipe developer, food photographer, and content creator behind Mom's Dinner. She has over 20 years experience in the food industry. Currently, Susie shares all her recipes and food knowledge on Mom's Dinner. You will find her recipes are easy to follow and full of tips and tricks to make sure the recipe you are making turns out perfect!

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Meet The Author:

Susie Weinrich is a professional food photographer and recipe developer. Her thoroughly tested recipes and step-by-step guides give readers confidence in the kitchen.

YOU will feel like a huge success at dinner time with any of the simple recipes on Mom's Dinner! Read More

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